Missing Keyway and Vertical Rebar in Footer
Quick Column Summary:
- Question a contractor about what he did/did not do
- Have great plans and specifications
- Keyways and steel rods in foundation
Jonathan Smith is building a new home in Akron, OH. He went to look at the new footers and, well, allow him to tell you:
"I'm building a new house, my contractor just completed the 8'' x 20'' concrete footers last week. And I could see some nails and rebars in the concrete. But I didn't see any keyways nor vertical rebars on the footers.
I've checked out your article about foundation footers and the Concrete Footer Part 3 Video. I've also talked to a builder friend, from his perspective, he thought keyways are almost totally worthless from a structural standpoint.
So my question is should I ask my contractor about this and ask them why didn't put keyways and vertical rebars to tie the foundation wall to the footers? I don't want to hear that they are taking shortcuts. The photo below shows my footer, the top photo, and the bottom one is another job happening near my new home."
Jonathan's footer is the top photo. Another job has got a few pieces of vertical steel. Photo credit: Jonathan Smith
Here's my reply to Jonathan:
Well, your issue is yet another great example of what happens when you sign a building contract that has low-quality plans and poor or non-existent written specifications.
If you had great plans with a Foundation Plan that had great cross sections of the footer and foundation and details, you'd see the steel that supposed to be there.
My guess is you have very basic plans and written specifications that are so thin if you hold them up to a light you could see through them. If you want to see some great specifications, look at my model ones.
Keyways are a nice feature to have if you don't have a full slab that is poured on the inside of the foundation walls. The slab prevents the bottom of the foundation walls from kicking in. A keyway with steel rods sticking up will help do that in the absence of a full slab.
It's useless to ask the builder anything at this point. He'll just make it up or tell you what you want to hear.
In the future, you must have EXCELLENT plans and specifications. Too bad you didn't know about my new home super package deal that would have given you all sorts of protection going into this project.
Thanks Tim. I double checked my house plan specifications, I did notice the key or rebar pins are required. I've already sent email to my builder to ask about why they didn't do this on my house. Is there anything that I can do to ask them to make it up? Redo the concrete footings?
Pins can be added now. They drill 4-inch-deep holes and epoxy them into place. You better memorize your plans and specs and be on the job BEFORE the next step. You need to be there to inspect things that would get hidden. For example, did the builder put in horizontal continuous steel bars in the footer? You can't see them now, but there are electronic devices that can see the steel. Horizontal steel in the footer is MISSION CRITICAL.
I had a rough night after saw your answers. I was so concerned and asked the builder. This morning they said nothing was missed. For safety reasons, these rebars get drilled and inserted into the footings at the time the foundation is formed. I'm not sure if I can be there to inspect though. Do you think I can trust what they said? I'd wish I saw your new home specifications earlier!
Just one more quick question: without the keyway, will the rebar pins good enough to tie the concrete foundation walls to the footers? Thanks!
Jonathan - Foundation design is very much dependent on your locale. Soil types vary greatly. The International Residential Code does not require keyways. And I agree with your builder that they are practically useless. It is very easy for the narrow line of concrete at the keyway to crack when expansive soil causes shear forces to act on it. But some pins or vertical rebar, as Tim shows in the second picture, are generally a good idea. From your note, it sounds like you have some of this already. More can't hurt, but it is not critical, in most cases.
What you do want, especially if you have expansive soils or live in a seismic (earthquake) zone is some reinforcing in the foundation walls. For peace of mind, check with the local building department as to their requirements. And when the house is complete, make sure the ground is shaped to cause the rainwater to flow away from the house and not puddle next to the foundation walls. Gutters are very important in preventing foundation problems.
William, thank you very much for your info. My house is being built on a slope, so I'll have a walkout basement. As far as I know, this land is not in a seismic zone nor expansive. I don't care the keyway at all after I've done extensive research. I even read many house building blogs and many footers have very narrow or shallow keyway, kinda like you can just use a stick to draw a shallow line on top of the footer , those type keyways are not useful at all.
Per the plan specification, we should have vertical and horizontal rebars in the footers. I just don't know why some builders insert sticking up rebar pins (to tie the concrete foundation wall to the footers) when they pour the footers, while some others, like my builder said, will just drill the holes on the cured footer concrete and insert the rebars later. I'm not very sure if it's really for safety consideration. A friend of mine built the same house with the same builder and had the rebars sticking up in the footers couple months ago, but mine didn't have the rebar pins when they finished the footers, I just don't know why what made them change it to drill the holes and insert the rebars.
I do wish as the builder told me, without those rebar stickers, the foundation forms won't be placed and it won't pass the inspection.
I don't know if it's a common and good practice to have rebar pins drilled and inserted into the footing at the time the foundation is pinned / laid out on the footing. Is this just how they make it up? Or it's a good practice for safety reason? I just feel it's so easy to insert the rebars when they pour the footings. Don't know why this can cause troubles to them. And the cost should be very low too.
Jonathan,
Do you know a good construction attorney?
I know a few in Cincinnati, OH.
Craig, after the builder told me they will drill the rebars and insert them into the footers, I wish I don't need to talk to any construction attorney. Especially after he said the township inspections will require the rebar pins. Kinda mind peace now.
Sorry to ask so many questions without scheduling your 15 call. My contractor said inspection won't pass if no rebar pins in the footer before they pour the foundation wall. Should I just take it if I can't go there to see the details?
Just have them take pictures to show you later.
Thanks Tim, and I was told that without rebar pins sticking up, county inspector won't let them pour the foundation wall.
Just to keep this post updated, my builder said their process happens every day, all over the world. And my concern is irrational and it's not my responsibility of the construction details. So I guess it will be common and totally fine for my house. One thing I couldn't get it why they poured the vertical rebars last year on my friend's house, but this year not for mine, we build the same type of house.
So does every county have different requirements as to whether or not vertical rebar is required in the footers to tie into the wall? If so where can I find this information? We have none, except for the 2 deadman columns.