This checklist serves as a chapter summary, helps review the completeness of construction drawings and specifications, and provides general guidance on project management. The checklist could be used many ways. For example, use one set of blanks during design and the second set during construction inspection. Note that not all measures are necessary under all conditions. Use different symbols to distinguish items that have been satisfied (+) from those that have been checked but do not apply (x). Leave unfinished items unchecked.
OVERALL
General considerations. Under adverse conditions, crawl spaces should be designed with the same drainage measures as basements. All areas of the crawl space must be accessible for inspection of pipes, ducts, insulation, sill plates, rim joists, posts, etc. A crawl space floor above exterior grade is preferred for positive drainage.
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Provide access into crawl space |
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Provide clearance under floor structure and ducts to provide access to entire perimeter |
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Call for trenches under girders and ducts to allow passage |
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Use 2-inch slurry slab (vermin control and ground cover protection) |
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Locate footing frost depth with respect to interior for well-vented recessed crawl spaces |
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Consider optional floor drain |
SITEWORK
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Locate building at the highest point if the site is wet |
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Define “finish subgrade” (grading contractor), “base grade” (construction contractor), “rough grade” level before topsoil is respread, “finish grade” (landscape contractor) |
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Establish elevations of finish grades, drainage swales, catch basins, foundation drain outfalls, bulkheads, curbs, driveways, property corners, changes in boundaries |
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Establish grading tolerances |
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Provide intercepting drains upgrade of foundation if needed |
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Locate dry wells and recharge pits below foundation level |
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Establish precautions for stabilizing excavation |
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Establish limits of excavation and determine trees, roots, buried cables, pipes, sewers, etc., to be protected from damage |
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Confirm elevation of water table |
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Determine type and dimensions of drainage systems |
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Discharge roof drainage away from foundation |
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Remove stumps and grubbing debris from site |
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Provide frost heave protection for winter construction |
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Call for test hole (full depth hole in proposed foundation location) |
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Locate stakes and benchmarks |
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Strip and stock pile topsoil |
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Define spoil site |
FOOTINGS
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Postition bottom of footing at least 6 inches below frost depth around perimeter ( frost wall at garage, slabs supporting roofs, other elements attached to structure). Make sure footing is deeper under basement walkouts |
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Confirm adequacy of footing sizes |
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Do not fill the overexcavated footing trenches |
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Install longitudinal reinforcing |
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Do not bear footings partially on rock (sand fill) |
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Do not pour footings on frozen ground |
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Indicate minimum concrete compressive strength after 28 days |
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Call out elevations of top of footings and dimension elevation changes in plan |
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Use keyway or steel dowels to anchor walls |
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Dimension stepped footings according to local codes and good practice (conform to masonry dimensions if applicable) |
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If using a single footing drain outside the footing, provide weep holes (minimum 2-inch diameter at 4 feet to 8 feet on center) |
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Provide through-joint flashing as a capillary break |
STRUCTURAL DESIGN
General considerations . Walls with high unbalanced fill should be designed as a basement.
Confirm wall engineering and accessories:
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Wall sized to resist height of fill and seismic loads |
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Anchor bolt requirements for sill plate (minimum code) |
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Anchors for joist ends (typically 6-foot spacing) |
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Beam pocket elevations, dimensions, details |
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Top of wall elevations and changes in wall height |
____ ____ |
Brick shelf widths and elevations |
Determine concrete specifications for cast in place walls:
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Minimum compressive strength after 28 days |
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Maximum water/cement ratio. Note: add no water at site |
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Allowable slump |
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Acceptable and unacceptable admixtures |
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Determine form-release agents acceptable to WPM (waterproof membrane) manufacturer |
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Establish curing requirements (special hot, cold, dry conditions) |
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Establish surface finish requirements and preparation for WPM (plug all form tie holes) |
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For shrinkage control: use horizontal reinforcing at top of wall and/or control joints |
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Design width of wall to resist height of fill, seismic loads, and loads transmitted through soil from adjacent foundations |
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Use two-way reinforcing (horizontal and vertical) for strength, watertightness, termite and radon resistance |
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Establish anchor bolt depth and spacing requirements, and install accordingly |
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Provide cast-in-place anchors for joist ends |
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Establish beam pocket elevations, dimensions, details |
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Determine top of wall elevations and changes in wall height |
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Determine brick shelf widths and elevations |
Determine concrete masonry wall specifications:
____ ____ |
Specify mortar mixes and strengths |
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Special details for proprietary masonry systems |
____ ____ |
Use either bond beam or joint reinforcing for crack control (for termite resistance) |
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Use special measures for high termite hazard areas |
BACKFILLING AND COMPACTION
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Establish minimum concrete strength or curing prior to backfilling |
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Install temporary wall support during backfilling |
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Establish condition of fill material (if site material stays in clump after soaking and squeezing in hand, do not use as backfill) |
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Determine proper compaction |
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Cap backfill with an impermeable cover |
SUBDRAINAGE
General considerations. Footing drains (1) draw down the ground water level; (2) prevent ponds of rainwater and snow melt in the backfill. The underslab drainage layer (1) conveys rising groundwater laterally to collecting drain lines; (2) acts as a distribution and temporary storage pad for water that drains through the backfill and would otherwise form ponds at the bottom.
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Use gravel pad and footing weep holes if a single, exterior footing drain is used. |
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Position high end of footing drains below underside of floor (Note: outside footing placement is preferred for drainage; inside placement is less susceptible to failure) |
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Ensure footing drain is pitched |
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Lay footing drain on compacted bedding (minimum 4 inches thick) |
____ ____ |
Set unperforated leaders to drain to outfall (hand backfill first 8 inches to avoid damaging pipe). If daylighting is not possible, drain to a sealed sump. |
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Ensure that transitions are smooth between pipes of different slopes |
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Separate surface, roof, and foundation drain systems |
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Call out gravel or crushed stone envelope around drainpipe and wrap with a synthetic filter fabric |
____ ____ |
Locate clean-outs for flushing the system |
____ ____ |
Install porous backfill or wall-mounted drainage product |
____ ____ |
Provide minimum 4-inch-thick gravel or stone layer under slab or vapor retarder |
____ ____ |
If large flow of water is anticipated, use curtain (French) drain to intercept |
For more information visit Water Managed Foundations within the Building America Solution Center.
MOISTUREPROOFING
General considerations. Waterproofing is usually recommended for all crawl spaces where the crawl space floor is lower than the exterior grade. Dampproofing provides a capillary break and serves as a vapor retarder. Waterproof membranes (WPM) dampproof, but dampproofing does not waterproof.
____ ____ |
Either dampproof or waterproof walls |
____ ____ |
Place a polyethylene vapor retarder under floor slabs |
____ ____ |
Place a continuous WPM (waterproofing membrane) under slab for crawl spaces below groundwater (special detailing and reinforcement required for support) |
____ ____ |
Install control and expansion joints according to recommendations of WPM manufacturer |
____ ____ |
Provide protection board for WPM |
For more information visit Water Managed Foundations within the Building America Solution Center.
THERMAL AND VAPOR CONTROLS
General considerations. Vented crawl spaces are insulated in the ceiling, and enclosed crawl spaces are insulated either inside or outside the wall. Ceiling insulation requires insulating ducts and plumbing. Wall insulations require special moisture control measures and may conceal termite infestations. Exterior insulation may reduce condensation hazard at rim joists.
____ ____ |
Verify that insulation R-value and depth meet local codes at a minimum |
____ ____ |
If used, specify exterior insulation product suitable for in-ground use |
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Place a fire-protective cover over combustible insulations if exposed on the interior |
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Install infiltration sealing gasket and through-wall termite shield under sill plate |
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Seal air leakage penetrations through rim joists |
____ ____ |
Install an air barrier outside rim joist |
For more information visit Water Managed Foundations and Insulating Foundations within the Building America Solution Center.
DECAY AND TERMITE CONTROL
General considerations. Strategy: (1) Isolate wood members from soil by an air space or impermeable barrier; (2) expose critical areas for inspection. Pressure-treated lumber is less susceptible to attack, but is no substitute for proper detailing. Termite shields are not reliable barriers unless installed correctly.
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Locate and specify foundation vents |
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Install ground cover vapor retarder |
____ ____ |
Elevate interior wood posts on concrete pedestals |
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Locate floor (area) and footing drains if crawl space floor is below exterior grade (see Subdrainage undebasement checklist in chapter 2) |
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Pressure-treat wood posts, sill plates, rim joists, wood members in contact with foundation piers, walls, floors, etc. |
____ ____ |
Pressure-treat all outdoor weather-exposed wood members |
____ ____ |
Install dampproof membrane under sill plate and beams in pockets (flashing or sill seal gasket) |
____ ____ |
Leave minimum 1/2-inch air space around beams in beam pockets |
____ ____ |
Expose sill plates and rim joists for inspection |
____ ____ |
Elevate sill plate minimum 8 inches above exterior grade |
____ ____ |
Elevate wood posts and framing supporting porches, stairs, decks, etc., above grade (6-inch minimum) on concrete piers |
____ ____ |
Elevate wood siding, door sills, other finish wood members at least 6 inches above grade (rain splash protection) |
____ ____ |
Separate raised porches and decks from the building by 2-inch horizontal clearance for drainage and termite inspection (or provide proper flashing) |
____ ____ |
Pitch porches, decks, patios for drainage (minimum 1/4 in/ft) |
____ ____ |
Treat soil with termiticide, especially with insulated foundations |
RADON CONTROL MEASURES
General considerations. The potential for radon hazard is present in all buildings. Check state and local health agencies for need of protection. Strategies include: (1) passively or actively depressurizing soil and crawl space air pressure relative to the indoors; (2) soil gas retarding membranes; (3) provisions to activate passive soil depressurization systems. Since radon is a gas, its rate of entry through the foundation depends on suction due to stack effect, HVAC system imbalances, exhaust devices, and air leakage especially at high points in the building envelope.
____ ____ |
Provide separate outdoor intakes for combustion devices |
____ ____ |
Install air barrier wrap around the envelope |
____ ____ |
Seal around flues, chases, vent stacks, attic stairs |
____ ____ |
Reinforce cast-in-place concrete walls (with No. 5 bars) along the top and bottom to resist settlement cracking |
____ ____ |
For crack control in masonry walls, use bond beam or horizontal joint reinforcing |
____ ____ |
Seal top of hollow masonry walls with solid block, bond beam, or cap block |
____ ____ |
Parge exterior face of masonry walls |
____ ____ |
Install continuous moistureproofing on the outside of masonry walls |
____ ____ |
Reinforce slab-on-grade |
____ ____ |
Remove all grade stakes, spreader sticks, and wood embedded in concrete during pour |
____ ____ |
Form perimeter wall/floor joint trough for pour-in sealant |
____ ____ |
Place vapor retarder under slab |
____ ____ |
Caulk joints around pipes and conduits |
____ ____ |
Install sump pit with airtight cover |
____ ____ |
Vent sump pit to outside |
____ ____ |
Do not use floor drains, unless mechanical trap valves are used |
____ ____ |
Lay minimum 4-inch-thick layer of coarse, clean gravel under slab |
____ ____ |
Cast 4-inch-diameter PVC tubing standpipes (capped) into slab |
For more information visit Water Managed Foundations within the Building America Solution Center.
PLANS, CONTRACTS, AND BUILDING PERMITS
____ ____ |
Complete plans and specs |
____ ____ |
Bid package |
____ ____ |
Establish contractual arrangements (describe principals, describe the work by referencing the blueprints and specs, state the start/completion dates, price, payment schedule, handling of change orders, handling of disputes, excavation allowance, and procedure for firing) Use signoff on work statements, work ready, and work finished quality assurance procedures. |
____ ____ |
Building permits |
SITE INSPECTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION
____ ____ |
After excavation and before concrete is poured for the footings |
____ ____ |
After the footings have been poured before foundation wall construction |
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After foundation construction and dampproofing before rough framing |
____ ____ |
After rough framing |
____ ____ |
After rough plumbing |
____ ____ |
After rough electrical |
____ ____ |
After insulation installation before drywall and backfilling in case of exterior insulation |
____ ____ |
Final |
