The foundation of your home is perhaps the most important element because that is what holds the entire structure up. The edifice that you call a home must have strong backing so that it can stand through any weather and keep you safe. The foundations of a home are like the legs and feet of a person. They are required to anchor the structure to the ground and the weight of the entire house is distributed over the foundation. So of course, it pays to be a little careful ensuring that the foundation is built just right.
Foundations are usually made of poured concrete and they support the structure of the home with consideration to the design of the home and conditions of the soil where the house is being built. Each house is different, and the foundation rests on different soils, so the soil must be studied to determine the design criteria of the engineer before work commences. If the soil is not accurately studied and the foundation not built to compensate for the weakness and to capitalize on the strengths of the earth, the stability of your home could be at risk.
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Types Of Foundations
There are two types of foundations - slab-on-grade and basement foundations. Slab-on-grade is used in earthquake prone zones, but this is not the only choice even in such areas. The basement type foundation is perceived to be better than slab-on-grade by most people, but experts say that there is no real difference between these foundations as far as the stability of the home is concerned.
Basement foundations are typically expensive to build. But when the land costs are high, the additional room brought by building a basement prompts many homeowners to opt for this. People turn their basements into recreational rooms, entertainment centers and gyms. Basements can be built with a walkout configuration which gives it a much larger feel, ventilate the space well and bring in natural light.
Moisture And Foundation Do Not Mix
One of the most harmful things to a building foundation is water. Water constantly draining into the foundation over a prolonged duration of time can weaken it considerably. It is of vital importance to maintain positive drainage away from the foundation - even shrubs and flower beds should be planted taking this into consideration.
There are several high quality water proofing and drainage solutions available. If installed properly, they provide a high degree of moisture barrier and drainage. Now this calls for attention to detail and experience of the builder. Only a builder with sufficient experience and expertise will be able to understand the complex process of designing and constructing a home in its entirety.
Ensure A Solid Foundation
Homeowners would be well advised to choose only reputed builders to work with. Hiring an independent inspector while the construction is in progress is also a good idea. Make sure that you understand everything about your home's foundation and how it is protected. A new home that is built on solid foundation is a happy home indeed.
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