Backfilling before Winter – Help
Hi GBA Community,
The foundation for our new home was poured (12″ walls) and forms were stripped on September 1st in climate zone 5A (RI). We are going to hold off the remaining construction due to the winter. My original plan was to backfill now before the winter starts, but now my excavating subcontractor says that it isn’t a good idea due to the backfill expanding (due to the colder temps) and putting some pressure against the foundation wall. Does anyone here have any suggestions? Is the main concern the footing? Due to the fact that we had to blast, the footing is pretty much on solid rock and is surrounded by a 12″ of gravel if that makes any difference.
Is waiting to backfill a mistake? Should we think about back filling about 2-3 feet to at least make sure the footing is below the frost line (2′-3′ feet for our zipcode) ? Is construction hay an option? Or, is there nothing to worry about here because the foundation has been curing for over 2 months now and is 12″ thick. What about the EPS that I used, could it help provide cushion if we were to backfill now?
I’ve included some pictures to illustrate what it looks like. Thank you for your help.
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Replies
My contractor would not allow any back filling before the floor joists were installed to keep the walls from being pushed inward. He also would not allow heavy equipment to come close to the walls ever.
I say trust that you picked the right builder. Ask all the questions you want but try not to tell your builder how to do his job.
Walta
Not backfilling before the floor joists and subfloor are on is standard. The actual risk is low, but there is still some risk and builders are risk averse...at least the ones still in business are.
Suspending construction for the fall and winter isn't that common in most of the country anymore. Advantech and similar subfloor panels can withstand a lot of rain and framers can get up to roof level fairly quickly on most homes. Then again, lumber prices are through the roof right now, so waiting a few months might actually save you some money.