How to Fix Concrete Footing Stem Wall Blowout

The footing for the stem wall is the wide pad that runs beneath the entire length of the stem wall. Its purpose is to disperse the weight load from the stem wall into the ground. The standard footing for a stem wall is about one foot deep and two feet wide, although your local building codes may have additional size requirements. When a blowout occurs, you’re working against the clock to repair and re-brace the damaged form and continue the pour before the concrete already in the footings sets.

Wood stakes
Hammer
Framing nails
2-by-2 dimensional boards
Circular saw
Shovels

Instructions

- 1
  Stop the pour.
- 2
  Shovel the wet concrete already in the sidewall to either side to gain access to the damaged sidewall. Scoop away the concrete that broke through the sidewall.
- 3
  Re-position the blown sidewall and drive stakes a minimum of two feet apart on the outside of the sidewall to support it.
- 4
  Attach tie braces every four feet. A tie brace is a board that spans the distance from the top of one side of the form to the top of the other side. To install a tie brace, drive support stakes in the ground on the outsides of the sidewall until the tops of the stakes are about 1/2 inch above the top of the sidewall form. Nail the tie brace to the tops of both stakes.
- 5
  Continue the pour if the rest of your footing forms are in good shape.

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