Removing any building line stakes will be necessary before undertaking any concrete excavation for formwork and to allow up working area. By placing the batter board about 4 feet away from the building plan stakes, you can keep the building lines intact. At the very least, far enough away from the batter boards for the excavation not to impact them. When a site is bordered by an existing wall that precludes batter boards from being set on the ground. For cross pieces and stakes, 2x4s and 1x6s can be used to build batter boards. A right-angle batter board can be set up at the top of the foundations at each corner. Stretch a line and use a plumb bob to determine where the lines intersect directly over the nail in each layout stake. Drive a nail into the top of each crosspiece to mark where the correct location of the building lines are. With these nails in place, you can locate the exact corners of the structure even when the layout stakes have been dugout. All you have to do is run lines from each nail; the corners will fall directly under the spots where the lines intersect.

Excavation and formwork

Set pegs to define the footings’ borders. Remove any lines from batter boards, as well as dirt and debris from the area where footings will be placed. Double-headed nails are less difficult to remove than ordinary nails. Always nail stakes and form boards together. Oil the form surfaces that will come into contact with any concrete with old crankcase oil.

Forms for footing

Replace lines on batter boards and re-locate the corners after any concrete excavation work is completed. Stakes should be placed at the bottom of the excavation to mark their position. Then, with the corner stakes, a number of grade stakes, and the footing line level. First, set up the exterior forms. Raise their tops to the same level as the grade stakes. For the shapes, you can use 34-inch plywood or 1-inch planks. 2 x 4s pushed into the ground every 2 or 3 feet will keep them in place. Every few feet along the length of the footing, place 1 x 2s as long as the width of the footing. These spacers will keep the shapes from colliding with each other. Before pouring the concrete, remove the corner and grade stakes. Remove the corner stakes and grade stakes before placing the concrete. Remove the spacers as you place the concrete.

Forms for walls

For side forms, use 34-inch plywood or 1-inch boards. Use 2 x 4 studs every 2 feet and 2 x 4 braces at each stud to support them. Attach 2 x 4 braces horizontally to the studs for walls taller than 4 feet. Use mild iron wire to connect the forms. Drill holes in the forms and insert a couple of lengths of twisted wire, or use two wires twisted together at 2-foot intervals to make an X over the wall’s width. Cut the wire ends on the outside of the forms before removing them.

With 1 x 2 spacers cut to the precise width of the wall, keep the inside and outside form boards at the proper distance apart; space them about 2 feet apart. As you place the concrete, remove the spacers. Between the top and bottom of the forms on walls 4 feet or higher, ties and spacers are required every 2 feet. Build a wood box into the form to provide for apertures in the concrete foundation wall, such as basement windows. Use 12-inch anchor bolts that are 8 inches long to secure the sills to the foundation wall. 18-inch bolts should be spaced and inserted in concrete cores.

Information sponsored by M3 Industries of St. George, UT.