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Select your location. Always try to select an area where the slope of the ground is the least possible. If you have a choice between an area where the slope breaks two directions and is rather steep and a more gentle sloping area, build on the latter. It will make the whole project easier.
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Drive stakes where you want your footing sections or pilings to go. If you are digging a full foundation, put stakes on the corners. Connect the stakes with string. Tie the string on the stake at the highest point and as close to the ground as possible. Attach a line level to the string and tie the level to the stake where the string is level. This will tell you what you need to do to make the footings level.
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Dig the holes. You have a choice at this point. You can either dig the uphill footing and the area in between down to the level of the lower footing or you can build the lower footing up to the level of the higher. Depending on your project, do some of both. Regardless of how you decided to proceed, your footing hole must be at least 18-inches deep for weight support.
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Insert reinforcing bar into the hole. Be sure that it is oriented lengthwise, crosswise, and vertical. A prefabricated reinforcing cage makes this process rather easy, but it is not necessary. Build and place your concrete forms. On the down slope footing, build the form to the level of the up slope footing above the hole. Use the string level as described in Step 2 to ensure level. Consider using a tube for pilings that can be placed in the hole and cut off at the right height. These are available at most larger home stores and in a variety of sizes.
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Level the surface of the footings and attach what fastener you need for your project. Be sure that the surface is both level with itself and with the other footings. Do this by having a steak on the far side of the footing and drawing the string across the surface of the footing to a steak on the far side of the down slope area. This will tell you if you are at a true level and if you need to make any adjustments.
