We're building a brick house with a strip foundation. Everyone talks about a foundation apron, but some neighbors say it's outdated and you can skip it. Is it actually mandatory or can I skip it during construction?
A foundation apron isn't a trend - it's protection for your foundation from water that seeps down the walls during rain and snowmelt! Without it, moisture will eat away at the base, and when frozen water expands in frost, it'll damage the brick and concrete. Sure, a house can stand without a foundation apron, but its lifespan shrinks noticeably, especially in climates with frequent precipitation. Better to spend money on an apron now than deal with expensive foundation repairs later.
The question of whether you can skip it is the wrong way to think about it - the real question is when to do it. You actually do need a foundation apron, and the previous answer was right about water and frost, but I'll add this: if you don't do it now, it'll cost way more and be a lot more of a hassle later. The ground is still fresh, construction equipment is nearby - take advantage of that.
Practical tip: make sure the apron slopes away from the house at least 2 - 3 cm per meter of length, otherwise water will pool against the foundation. And dig it deep enough - at least a spade's depth - so it doesn't freeze solid through the winter.
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