Construction> Preparations Engineering: Essential First Steps The Importance of Soil Testing and Consulting Appropriate Engineers It cannot be overemphasized how extremely important it is to have all the engineering work completed before beginning the construction project.  It is a critical step in the construction process.  Foundation designs differ greatly depending upon the soil conditions beneath them and so all designs must be checked thoroughly by qualified experts.  The same can be said of all your construction plans. Make sure that they have all been approved by the appropriate engineer before starting construction. Foundations and Rebar Placement Grid-WALL™ may be used with any foundation design when appropriately engineered. Rebar is to extend 30 to 32 inches up from the foundation, 16” on center, 5" in from outside edge, starting at corners and working in to door locations. It is not necessary to increase this length for structural integrity, however it will become more difficult to place blocks over the rebar if you do. Mono Slab Prior to pouring, place rebar sticking up 30 to 32 inches vertically from the finished level tied to the slab reinforcement. Place these 5” in from the edge of the slab or line of wall, starting in each corner, 16” on center. Make sure you avoid placement at door openings. See technical drawings. Post & Beam Pour footings for perimeter and where desired, with rebar placement the same as mono slab placement. Grid-WALL™ used for stem wall construction Grid-WALL™ may be used as the form for the stem wall of a mono slab. Pour a footing as per post and beam walls. Place the blocks so that the outside edge is at the finished floor level. Cut off the inside lip of the block to allow the concrete to flow. See technical drawings. Basement Walls All below grade walls will need to be waterproofed with normal basement waterproofing materials. While Grid-WALL™ will not wick water, it is not waterproof. Damp proofing, (as in bathroom walls under ceramic tile), is not necessary as Grid-WALL™ is a cementitious product. Brick Lugs Brick lugs will need to be poured with the slab or footing.