I wrote back to Scott answering his recent inquiry about the preparing the foundation. Wondering if anyone else has some thoughts on this as well. If so please post them in the form of a comment below. Thanks.
Hi John,
I'm a graduate of the Algonquin masonry program and am now an avid follower of your blog posts. Your blog has been one of a handful of sources of traditional masonry inspiration - I'm very grateful that you take the time to share your thoughts and pictures.
I am currently working on a wall in New Brunswick which is, unfortunately, located on a site with clay soil and poor drainage. I laid the foundation stones excavating 12'', packed 6'' of 5/8'' minus and laid 6'' foundation stones, 2'' extended from the base. We have since had a good downpour and I was discouraged to find water up to the top of the foundation stones 2 days following the rain. That was in mid-June, when the water levels are high. However, I'm worried about what the frost will do in the winter. This photo was taken today. It is of the almost complete first wall. I still have an identical wall to build on the other side. Do you have suggestions for building foundations in low-lying, clay soils... before I get started on the next wall?
Thanks,
Scott
