Hello!
How seriously should one take the matter of digging footings (e.g. 70cm) to frost-free depth? The past two winters have easily exceeded 100cm. Then no one should use footings but rather cast in cardboard tubes. I have a patio with a sunroom (glazing coming soon) and certainly don't want any settling or anything like that. No one has been digging recently (thinking about drainage etc.).
Is it all just scare tactics or what?
I've previously dug until it's very hard in the hole and been satisfied with that.
Best regards, Lagavulin
How seriously should one take the matter of digging footings (e.g. 70cm) to frost-free depth? The past two winters have easily exceeded 100cm. Then no one should use footings but rather cast in cardboard tubes. I have a patio with a sunroom (glazing coming soon) and certainly don't want any settling or anything like that. No one has been digging recently (thinking about drainage etc.).
Is it all just scare tactics or what?
I've previously dug until it's very hard in the hole and been satisfied with that.
Best regards, Lagavulin
Now you're asking one of those annoying questions .... :@ :O 
But the answer should probably be:"It depends ..."
Reactions are now awaited ...
But the answer should probably be:"It depends ..."
Reactions are now awaited ...
I built a shed on pillars last summer, and none of them are frost-free; those at the end where I have the door are a maximum of 40 cm down, but I haven’t had any problems with them in the winter or now during the spring.
Still, I'm considering insulating them afterward to be on the safe side if those real winters are back again.
But if you have to go below frost level, then ready-made pillars can't be used; almost all I’ve seen using pillars place them so that between 10 and 30 cm are above ground.
Still, I'm considering insulating them afterward to be on the safe side if those real winters are back again.
But if you have to go below frost level, then ready-made pillars can't be used; almost all I’ve seen using pillars place them so that between 10 and 30 cm are above ground.
As I see it, one must (try to) assess the frost susceptibility of the ground and how much of a problem it causes if there is some frost heaving.
I have quite boldly placed 6 LECA blocks 5-20 cm into the ground that the shed stands on.
I'm completely unconcerned if there is a little frost heaving, because I have a jack.
If it were a building that would be damaged by frost heaving or would cause a major inconvenience, I would be more serious, definitely.
I have quite boldly placed 6 LECA blocks 5-20 cm into the ground that the shed stands on.
I'm completely unconcerned if there is a little frost heaving, because I have a jack.
If it were a building that would be damaged by frost heaving or would cause a major inconvenience, I would be more serious, definitely.
Our neighbor has provided an experience that lasts all year.
He has added a shed to the house and laid the foundation on cement slabs that he has dug down a few centimeters.
In the winter/spring, the shed moves upward, and in the summer/fall, it moves downward. Very interesting to observe.
However, I don't quite understand how the floor holds together in that shed.
My advice is to dig deeper, especially if you are going to have a sliding door in the conservatory.
He has added a shed to the house and laid the foundation on cement slabs that he has dug down a few centimeters.
In the winter/spring, the shed moves upward, and in the summer/fall, it moves downward. Very interesting to observe.
However, I don't quite understand how the floor holds together in that shed.
My advice is to dig deeper, especially if you are going to have a sliding door in the conservatory.
It also depends a lot on the ground conditions; if it's a new construction where it is properly compacted, filled with blast rock, etc., the risk is less. But if there's a lot of clay underneath, I wouldn't take the chance without digging 70 to 100 cm, gravel underneath and around, but as Charlie Sheen said, every hole is different.