Building Foundations: Key Considerations and Best Practices Importance of the Foundation
When shopping for a house, the first thing you should examine is the foundation. The integrity of a house or building relies heavily on how well its foundation performs and withstands the effects of elements and climate. Simply put, a house is only as strong as its foundation.
Local Soil and Climate Challenges
In our region, the soil contains a high percentage of clay, which retains water. Flooding is common, and the climate is characterized by dramatic changes in temperature and humidity, all of which contribute to shifting ground conditions. Evidence of these challenges can be seen in the many homes equipped with sump pumps and drain hoses, as well as the large number of basement and foundation repair companies listed in the phone book. This demonstrates the seriousness of the problem.
Research-Informed Foundation Construction
Recognizing these issues, we conducted thorough research to address them in our foundation building and construction process. By eliminating ineffective methods, we have elevated our concrete design and construction standards by utilizing more suitable designs and specifications.
Best Practices for Foundation Construction
- Avoid Deep Basements: We do not build deep in-ground basements as most in our area experience persistent water issues.
- Unified Cement Pouring: We employ a forming method that holds the cement together as one unit and ensures it is poured in a single operation.
- Use of Well-Packed Sand: Cement performs exceptionally well when placed over well-packed sand, which provides efficient drainage and adapts well to our climate conditions.
- High-Density Foam Base: We apply high-density foam across the entire base of the foundation.
- Rebar Cage Design: Our design incorporates a rebar assembly that holds everything in place as one large cage, increasing structural integrity.
- Enhanced Concrete Mix and Form: We use a harder concrete mix and construct a thicker form to further strengthen the foundation.