This article is adapted from a practical presentation by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). If you’re responsible for a home or building, a meticulous Footing Inspection can make the difference between solid protection and potential foundation issues. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the rules for stepped footings, how to inspect them, and common issues that might indicate it’s time to bring in experts.

Introduction: Why a Footing Inspection Matters

Foundations depend on properly installed footings to distribute structural loads onto the soil uniformly. A faulty footing can lead to foundation cracks, misaligned doors, or costly structural fixes. Stepped footings, in particular, are critical on sloped sites, as they prevent uneven load distribution and settlement. A thorough inspection ensures compliance with regulations and safeguards your investment.

“Ever tried to build a tower of playing cards on a slanted table? Well, it doesn't end well.”

Key Rules Every Inspector and Homeowner Should Know

1. Top surface of the footing must be level. A level footing ensures even load transfer without tilting or stress concentration.
2. Bottom slope limit: less than 10%. A gentle slope helps maintain contact with the soil while minimizing settlement risks.
3. Use stepped footings when slope exceeds 10%. For steep terrains, stepped footings stabilize the structure and eliminate uneven settlement.

The Basics of Stepped Footings

A stepped footing resembles a series of horizontal pads arranged like a staircase. Each pad has the same thickness and reinforcement detail as a flat footing, but they change elevation in discrete increments rather than following a continuous incline.

Advantages of stepped footings:

• Maintains level bearing surfaces for walls or columns.
• Distributes load more evenly across the soil.
• Reduces the risk of sliding and differential settlement on steep slopes.
• Makes it easier to control the depth relative to frost line and competent soil layers.

During a Footing Inspection, confirm that the steps are consistent, well-compacted beneath, and spaced in a way that complies with local code or engineering guidance. A poorly executed step — too tall, too short, or inadequately supported — undermines the entire system.

How to Perform a Practical Footing Inspection

Here’s a straightforward, step-by-step checklist to follow when you inspect footings, especially stepped footings:

1. Visual survey: Walk the perimeter and exposed footing areas. Look for visible cracks, gaps, or signs of undermining.
2. Measure the top surface: Use a level or laser to confirm the top of each footing step is level across its width.
3. Measure the bottom slope: Verify the bottom surface slope does not exceed 10% for continuous footings.
4. Check step dimensions: Ensure step risers and runs are consistent and meet engineering or code requirements.
5. Assess soil contact and compaction: Look for voids, soft spots, or signs of erosion under or alongside the footing.
6. Inspect for moisture and drainage issues: Standing water, poor grading, or missing drainage can erode or soften the supporting soil.
7. Document and photograph: Record measurements, take photos of concerning areas, and note any visible distress in walls, slabs, or floors that might indicate footing problems.

If you’re performing a formal Footing Inspection as a certified inspector, include measurements, conditions, and recommended next steps in your report. Good documentation helps engineers and contractors make repair decisions quickly and accurately.

Common Footing Problems and Typical Remedies

During a Footing Inspection you may discover several recurring issues. Here’s what they are and how they’re commonly addressed:

• Erosion and undermining: Often caused by poor drainage or concentrated runoff. Remedy: regrade, install swales or gutters, add rock or concrete protection, and recompact soil.
• Continuous sloped footing where steps were needed: Remedy: may require partial demolition and reconstruction to introduce proper steps, or underpinning and transfer of loads by engineered retrofit.
• Poor compaction: Soft or loose soil under a footing can be improved by compaction or replaced with engineered fill; for severe cases, underpinning or deep foundations (piles) may be required.
• Cracking and differential settlement: Evaluate for structural repair, underpinning, or slab jacking, depending on cause and severity. Engage a structural engineer.
• Inadequate drainage: Downspouts, grading, and landscape changes can redirect water away from footings to reduce soil saturation and movement.

When to Call a Structural Engineer or a Certified Inspector

Not every irregularity requires an engineer, but these are red flags during a Footing Inspection that should prompt professional involvement:

• Large or active cracks in foundation walls or slabs
• Significant differential settlement or visibly tilted walls
• Evidence of undermining or erosion beneath the footing
• Exposed reinforcing steel that is corroded
• Signs of prior repairs that are failing
• Any uncertainty about soil bearing capacity or proper footing depth relative to frost line

A certified home inspector (for example from InterNACHI) can perform an initial Footing Inspection and recommend whether the site requires a structural engineer for definitive analysis and remedial design.

Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Footings

Once footings are installed correctly, ongoing maintenance protects them. Here are practical maintenance tips that come up in most Footing Inspection reports:

• Keep grading sloped away from the foundation to prevent water pooling near footings.
• Extend downspouts at least several feet away from the foundation.
• Avoid placing heavy fill or structures at the edge of footings without engineering review.
• Control surface erosion with landscaping, groundcover, rock, or retaining walls where necessary.
• Inspect periodically for new cracks, movement, or water infiltration, especially after heavy rains or freeze-thaw cycles.

FAQ — Footing Inspection

Q: What exactly is a stepped footing?

A stepped footing is a series of horizontal footing pads arranged at different elevations like a staircase. Each step supports a portion of the wall above and provides level bearing on sloped ground where a single sloped footing would be unsuitable.

Q: Why must the top surface of a footing be level?

A level top surface ensures the wall or column above receives even support, preventing eccentric loads that can cause rotation, cracking, or uneven settlement. It also simplifies construction of the wall above.

Q: How do I measure if the bottom slope is within the 10% limit?

Use a level and tape, a laser level, or an inclinometer to measure vertical change over horizontal distance. A slope of 10% means a 10-inch vertical change for every 100 inches horizontal (or 1:10). If it’s steeper, stepped footings are typically required.

Q: Can you build a continuous sloped footing instead of steps?

If the slope is gentle and under 10%, a slight slope in the bottom surface of a footing may be allowed. If the slope exceeds the allowable limit or if you need to maintain uniform bearing, stepped footings are the correct approach.

Q: Who should perform a Footing Inspection?

Start with a certified home inspector trained to identify foundation and footing issues. If the inspector finds significant concerns, they will usually recommend a structural engineer for in-depth analysis and design of repairs.

Q: What are the signs of failing footings?

Indicators include widening cracks in walls, uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, visible displacement of the foundation, and new or worsening settlement near the foundation edge. Water pooling and soil erosion near footings are also warning signs.

Conclusion

Footing performance determines how well a building copes with the loads placed on it and the conditions of the site. A thorough Footing Inspection focuses on three core rules: keep the top surface level, limit the bottom slope to 10%, and use stepped footings when the grade is steeper. Stepped footings are a simple but essential solution on sloped lots — think of them as purposeful stairs that deliver consistent, level support for the structure above.

If you suspect footing issues or if your property sits on sloped ground, arrange a professional Footing Inspection. Certified inspectors, such as those from InterNACHI, can identify problems early and guide you toward the right remediation — saving you money and stress in the long run.