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The first step to building a structure or adding a new addition is to dig the foundations. The foundation is the most important aspect of any construction. Your addition, house, or commercial building will not be affected by water damage or cracks if you have a strong, solid foundation.
It’s more than pouring concrete and laying footings to dig foundations. Different foundations are needed for different types of building, crawlspaces and basements. Some foundations may need to be thicker in order to resist moisture and support heavy structures.
Excavating of any size or type is more difficult than one might think. This can be dangerous. You may not be able manage excavation work, footings or other excavation or trenching on your own. You may need to hire professionals for a variety of reasons.
What is the goal of a foundation?
You might think that the sole purpose of a foundation is to support a structure’s weight. For any building, whether it is a commercial one, a home or a large shed, if you want to keep the structure from sinking into the ground, ensuring that its foundation can support weight, and prevent it from doing so, is vital. A foundation is much more than just a structure to support a building.
- The foundations are important to keep moisture out of the structure. To keep moisture from affecting the wood frame of your home, you need a solid foundation made of concrete or another dense and durable material. It can cause wood to crack, split, and grow mold if it is not properly sealed.
- A foundation will protect a building from cold. Even in the summer, the ground under a building may be very cold. The insulation properties of wood and paper can help to absorb the cold. The foundation is a layer of protection between the building and the ground. It prevents the building from getting too cold.
- Solid foundations will protect your building from the effects gravity. The ground under a building doesn’t move during an earthquake. Running water, vehicle traffic, and other disturbances may cause the earth’s surface to vibrate, shift and shake. If the structure is not properly supported and secured, walls, ceilings and floors can crack, split, and chip.
- What is a good foundation for a house?
The foundation should be matched to the project or structure. The foundation should be tailored for the person wearing it. The dimensions of a building will be inaccurate if the footings are not precise. A lack of accuracy can result in windows that do not match the dimensions of the structure. In cases of very dry or moist soil, concrete may need to thicken and be stronger. For heavy structures such as homes that have stone countertops or floors, stronger foundations may be needed.
Why foundations fail
A foundation should last for decades, and ideally, forever. The foundations of buildings can crack and chip. Here are some of the most common reasons why foundations fail. Avoid these common mistakes when digging new foundations or pouring footings for your structure.- Backfilling around a foundation retains too much water. Water is found in clay and non-organic materials, which are then absorbed by concrete foundations. Excessive water pressure can also cause cracks and leaks in foundations.
- Illegal to let a foundation cure fully. Contractors rush to complete a project and start work on the foundation until the concrete is fully cured. Wrap cement in plastic to ensure durability.
- The foundation base must be compacted properly. Concrete is poured on top of a crushed-stone base to prevent it from seeping into the ground. Concrete can crack if the gravel is not properly compacted.
- A foundation cannot be poured all at once. It takes concrete several days to properly dry. It begins to dry immediately after the concrete is poured. If concreters interrupt the foundation pouring, they may decide to come back the next day. It could result in a seam between the sections. This seam allows moisture to seep between segments of concrete, which can cause foundations to settle and crack.
This post was written by Tanner Brown. Tanner is the Owner and operator of Greenbar Excavation. Greenbar Excavation is a fully licensed, insured, and accredited Excavation company based in Prineville Oregon. Greenbar Excavation is one of the top Foundation Excavation companies in Central Oregon. Don’t look further, go with the company with your best interest in mind!
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