Inspect your home’s foundation every now and then in order to keep it strong. As most homeowners know, home maintenance may be a costly and frustrating aspect of ownership. From small foundation cracks to unexpected water leaks, it is very important for us homeowners to be prepared and vigilant for any problems which may affect their home’s foundation and property.  

Early detection along with the ongoing maintenance of your foundation may save homeowners money and time, thus decrease the possibility of a long-term problem.  

1. Pay Close Attention to Foundation Cracks 

Foundation cracks can be a cause of a long-term problem to your foundation regardless of the size of the crack. Minor cracks are not classified by size but on the severity of the foundation cracks. The following are some details you have to consider when you notice a crack:  

• The date you first noticed the crack and the changes of it as time progresses.  
• Possible water leaks in your home.  
• Rain exposure  
• Temperature  

It is very essential to monitor these cracks as well as notice if there are changes in the length and width of the cracks. If these foundation cracks increase in width or length, it is best for you to consult a professional foundation repair Irving TX service provider.  

2. Maintain the Soil Moist at All Times

The soil movement puts stress on your home’s foundation. In order to prevent soil contraction and expansion phenomenon, it is very important to use a soaker hose system. In addition to that, the soaker hose will aid prevent the soil’s top layer from a quick dry out that will also prevent an extensive evaporation during the dry months. During the wet months, on the other hand, it will also avoid the swelling of the soil. As a matter of fact, utilizing this soaker hose system may help maintain the moisture at a constant level and prevent large-scale evaporation.   

3. Be Aware of the Placement of the Trees 

The placement of the tree is very crucial because the trees can be costly as well as harmful if they are too close to your foundation. Big trees can contain up to one hundred fifty gallons of water every day. If the trees are close to your foundation with the limbs reaching over the roots, these may cause damage to your foundation because the thirsty roots of the trees make the soil in that portion shrink. In order to prevent shrinking of the soil and other negative impacts, the homeowners must consider a root barrier installation.  

4. Be a Wise Landscaper 

The homeowners must keep the elevation of the ground of any landscaped brushes and flowerbeds located near to your home at least 3 to 4 inches over the finished wall elevation. The landscaped portions must be sloped away from your home’s foundation for appropriate drainage and also, to help prevent moisture interruption from penetrating through your foundation.  

5. Maintain a Constant Temperature

Keeping a consistent temperature can prevent contraction and expansion of construction materials such as drywall, concrete, and wood.  

 

The basic thing you should know about foundation is that it carries the entire load of the structure. If you’re wondering how a skyscraper building is able to stand tall, it’s because of the strong foundation. Upon construction, the engineers have to design the foundation in such a way that the entire structure will be able to withstand strong winds and other natural disasters.

The contractors of Richardson foundation repair said that there’s more to the digging and pouring concrete that you should know about. Even if you won’t give a manual labor in the construction, you should know the basics about foundation. In this article, you will learn its types.

1. Shallow Foundation

The basic information you should know about a shallow foundation is that the depth of the ground is less than the width of the foundation. They are commonly called as the spread footing. The classifications of this foundation are as follows.

1.1 Wall Footing

A wall footing foundation transfers the weight of the wall into the ground. It runs continuous along the wall’s directions. The width of this foundation is two times the wall’s width at ground level. This type of foundation is suitable if the weight is small and economical in gravels and dense sands.

1.2 Column Footing

If the depth of the foundation is greater than 1.5 meters, the column footing is the most suitable. It is constructed through reinforced or plain concrete and is in the form of flat slab. The column’s base is also enlarged.

1.3 Combined Footing

Engineers use combined footings for foundations that are two columns in a row, it means if the foundation they’re going to construct will extend beyond the property line. It’s trapezoidal or rectangular in shape.

1.4 Strap Footing

This type of foundation is used when the edge footing cannot extend beyond the property. So a strap beam is used to link up the edge footing with the interior footing.

2. Deep Foundation

The deep foundation has a depth that’s greater than the width. When the shallow foundation can’t support the weight of a structure, the deep foundation is used. The process is that this type of foundation transmits the superstructure’s load to the rock strata which lies deep in the ground.

2.1 Pile Foundation

The pile foundation is use to transfer the load of the structure to the rock, which is a less compressible stratum. Friction or bearing is used when transferring the load. When the inclined and horizontal forces need to be carried from the retaining walls and bridge abutments, this type of foundation is also used. It can be classified as friction piles, bearing piles and a combination of the two. The materials can be steel piles, concrete piles and timber piles.

2.2 Pier Foundation

This type of foundation is an underground structure which is cylindrical in shape. It supports the structure’s heavy load in which the shallow foundations can’t. The load transference is possible through bearing. This foundation is used when the soil is stiff clay and the top strata are a decomposed rock.