Rebar in footer ?

[Mudball]

Could someone tell me if its a good idea to install rebar in a footer ?  The footer will have some 12" and 8" concrete blocks that will be filled with concrete.
Thanks

[John Raabe]

Yes, rebar (usually two #4 - 1/2" bars) are placed in the bottom 3" of a poured footer to reinforce what is essentially a cast concrete beam under the foundation wall.

The footing will normally be twice the width of the wall and the same depth (IE: 6x12 for one story and 8x16 for two).

[Daddymem]

Absolutely.  Remember, concrete is weakest in tension, placing the bars at the bottom helps concrete hold up to any flex (settling, heaving) which could put the bottom face of the footer in tension.

[Mudball]

Thanks for the information.
It looks like I'll be having rebar installed.
Thanks

[glenn-k]

As I get older my vision is a little blurry in the morning- too lazy to get reading glasses.  I looked at this topic and thought it said  "rebar in hooter"  -- obviously not a house problem, but a medical problem.

Closer observation revealed that it said "rebar in footer" so no problem.   :-/

[JeffnTN]

  GLEN,   YOU   Are   A   HOOT!

[Mudball]

 I looked at this topic and thought it said  "rebar in hooter"  

Wow that would make for a very hard...well you know.
Thanks for the input. I told the contractor to use the rebar.
Thanks