Building a Solid New Home Foundation

If you study the exterior or interior appearance of your house, the foundation is not visible. For most people, it seems though the foundation is non-existent. However, even though the foundation doesn’t scream “I’m here!” unlike the other components of our house that are obvious, we shouldn’t be mindless of it. After all, it’s the reason why our house is still standing still.  

The foundation and footings in our homes are like the legs and feet of our body, so without them we cannot go anywhere. The footings served as the anchor to the ground while the foundation carries the structure’s weight.  

Foundations are made from different materials, like block, concrete, stones and even treated woods. The process involves erecting the wooden forms, installing reinforcing bars, pouring the form with concrete and removing the form once the concrete dries.  

The types of foundation you should know about are crawl space foundation, full basement foundation and slab-on foundation. The experts of Waco Foundation Repair will assess your location and recommend you one of the foundations mentioned.  

1. Crawlspace Foundation 

This type of foundation is common in the homes of Midwest and Southeast USA. Its footings are laid below the frost line and there’s a space between the floor frame and the ground for a crawling space. A foundation vent opening is added on most crawl spaces to avoid moisture buildup. This is because one of the disadvantages of a crawl space foundation is that it can be a breeding ground of moisture.  

Maintenance and regular check-up is important to make sure that the moisture and mold is not infesting in the crawl space because they can soak the framing and will lead it to rot which means that the house will suffer a structural failure.  

2. Full Basements Foundation  

Full basements are usually found in many areas but most especially in the Northeastern part. This foundation has a high wall (8 foot) that encloses a concrete slab (thick poured, 4 inches). The footings in this type of foundation are placed deep below the frost depth of the region. Before, basements are not finished. But now homeowners turn these areas into a gym, recreational area or entertainment center. If the slop is good, you will get the good ventilation and natural light in this space.  

However, if you opt to do so too, beneath the slab you should install rigid foam insulation. This will make the basement more comfortable. A proper insulation will prevent the walls and slabs from mold and mildew infestation.  

3. Slab-on-Grade 

This type of foundation consists of concrete slab poured at the grade level. There are shallow footings installed that transfers the structure’s weight to the ground. This is commonly found in warm regions. When constructing one, rigid foam insulation is installed under the slab to make the area more comfortable. If you live in colder climate, there would be required installations of special frost proofing. Remember that your location, the soil condition and the weather are the important things to consider when choosing a type of foundation. And oh, don’t forget your budget.