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Frost walls are concrete walls that are placed in the ground deep enough so that in the cold of winter when the ground freezes the walls and the footings they are sitting on will not end up with the ground freezing underneath them.
Accordingly, what is the purpose of a frost wall?
Frost wall or frost protected wall construction is to prevent soil beneath the building from freezing for protection of foundations in freezing temperature climates. Types of frost walls, their requirements and uses are discussed. Frosting is a serious issue for the building structures during the colder climates.
- Shallow foundation. Individual footing or isolated footing. Combined footing. Strip foundation. Raft or mat foundation.
- Deep Foundation. Pile foundation. Drilled Shafts or caissons.
Beside this, do I need a frost wall?
Yes, you do need the 4' frost walls on the poured footers. Some places will let you do a combination pour where the edge of the slab is dig down to footer depth, but check locally, poured footer, then block, then poured slab may be required.
When you excavate your footings you will need to dig below the frost line. This is the depth at which the moisture present in the soil is expected to freeze. Once your footings are buried below the frost line the ground will act as a barrier to insulate the soil below the footing from freezing in the winter.