House Foundation

Although every home has a foundation, not every house has the same kind of foundation. The type of home foundation depends on a variety of elements, including the house design, climate, soil, and moisture conditions, as well as the project budget.

Types Of House Foundation

Although there are many other types of foundations, it’s probable that your house or any additions to it will have one of the following three: a full or daylight basement, a crawlspace, or a concrete slab-on-grade. These are functional—and occasionally even adaptable—foundations that support millions of homes in a range of climatic conditions and requirements.

Why House Foundations Fail

Solid backfill. When the soil freezes and expands, clay- or organic-rich soils can damage foundations because they soak up water like sponges.
rushing the treatment The optimum strength of concrete requires a slow curing process (usually 3,000 psi). Wrap it in plastic, spritz it with water, or use other methods to keep it damp for at least three days.
inadequate compacting. The slab will probably slump or split if it is poured over unsteadily tamped crushed stone.
breaking up the pour. It is best to fill out a concrete form all at once. The “cold joint” between the new concrete and yesterday’s work, which will likely crack and leak, will exist if you stop and return the following day to finish the job.