How to Install Your Own Footer for a Block Wall

Concrete block walls are fairly simple to build and relatively inexpensive. They can be used for a variety of purposes in remodeling or construction. But a wall is only as good as its foundation. The foundation, or footer, for a concrete block wall must be solid and sturdy to ensure that it can support the wall above.

Tape measure
Marking paint
Square-tipped shovel
Plywood sheets
Gravel
Ready-mix concrete
Trowel

Instructions

- 1
  Mark a set of parallel lines with marking paint on both sides of the projected block wall location. The lines should be twice as far apart as the width of the blocks. For example, if the blocks are 12 inches wide, the lines should be 24 inches apart.
- 2
  Dig a trench between the lines with a square-tipped shovel. Make the trench at least 18 inches deep. Place pieces of plywood along the side of the trench, making the sheets several inches higher than the depth of the trench. In the case of a long trench, multiple pieces of plywood will need to be employed to cover the length of the trench's sides.
- 3
  Fill the bottom 6 inches of the trench with gravel; level the gravel. Fill the remaining area of the trench with ready-mix concrete and trowel the top so it's level.
- 4
  Let the concrete cure, per the instructions for the ready-mix. Pull out the plywood sheets from the side of the trench and backfill around the footer using some of the dirt you removed in step 2.

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