Concrete Foundation
Give your structure a solid start with concrete foundation
It may seem like one of the simplest parts of the construction process. However, getting your concrete foundation right is extremely important. And the greatest logic for this is that any mistake you make while laying the foundation will only worsen as you go up. It is known as compounding defects and it can only mean that your structure’s integrity will be highly compromised.
Concrete foundation forms
The concrete foundation comes in many forms depending on the purpose of the slab. Here are the three main types of concrete foundations:
1. T-Shaped concrete foundation
A T-shaped foundation is ideal for supporting structures in areas where the ground is prone to freezing. The footing is placed below the frost before adding the walls on top. The footing is made wider than the wall to provide additional support at the base of the foundation. The T-shape is put in place and allowed to cure before constructing the second wall. A slab is then introduced between the walls.
2. Slab-on-grade foundation
As the name indicates, a slab is a single layer of concrete that is several inches thick. A thick slab is poured at the edges to form an integral footing before introducing reinforcing rods to add extra strength to the thickened edge. The slab is made to rest on a bed of crushed gravel for improved drainage. The possibility of cracking is eliminated to reinforcing the concrete with a wire mesh. This type of concrete is used in areas where the ground is not prone to freezing.
3. Frost-protected concrete foundation
This concrete foundation design only works with a heated structure. It is constructed using two sheets of strong, polystyrene insulation – one on the outside of the foundation and the other at the gravel bed at the base of the wall. This is meant to prevent freezing, which is a problem in areas that experience frost. The insulation prevents heat loss via the edges of the slab thus keeping the ground temperature around the footings from freezing.
Why concrete foundation
When exploring foundation options for your new home, you will often come across different types of foundation. But, what are the benefits of choosing one over the others? Well, there are a few considerations you should make when selecting the right foundation for your structure. The concrete foundation is typically found in most buildings – residential and non-residential. Concrete slab foundation offers the contractor a stronger, drier and seamless material to work with. It also offers better performance than other foundation options at a much reasonable price.
Here are three reasons why you should consider concrete foundation for your structure:
Maintenance free
Thanks to its resistance to rot and decay, concrete slab foundation requires virtually no maintenance. It has a long lifespan compared to wooden or block foundations. Thus, you will not have to worry about calling a concrete contractor to fix your foundation for a very, very long time.
Protection
Protecting your home extends from water and fire damage to unnatural shifts in the soil. Concrete foundation’s incredible strength, density and joint-free construction dramatically eliminate basement water problems and prevent leakages that can damage your home. And since the concrete foundation is also fire resistant, it can also contain the fire to allow you to evacuate the property in an event of a fire disaster.
Strength
Concrete foundation has an exceptional amount of strength, making it the ideal choice for builders. It has a compressive and flexural strong point that meets the mandatory safety factor. And unlike other types of foundation, it does not shift with the movement of the soil underneath the building.
Getting it right with the concrete foundation: Finding the expert in Portland
Settling on the right foundation for your structure is important. But finding the right foundation construction expert for your foundation and home construction project is equally as important. In fact, finding the right construction expert is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will have to make. Here is what you need to look for when hiring a constructor for your project:
1. Check the builder’s BBB rating, client, and building inspector’s reviews
Angie’s List is the place to read about construction and foundation repair experts in Portland. Since consumers pay a subscription fee to access homeowner reviews, Angie’s List members are never too shy about providing objective reviews about contractors they have worked with. If you are looking for objective and frank reviews, look no further than Angie’s List.
Another great source of customer reviews is the Better Business Bureau. Here, you can check if the contractor has received complaints or have engaged in unethical business practices.
2. Ask if the contractor is providing warranty
The importance of a warranty in big-ticket projects like home construction or foundation repair cannot be over-emphasized. Always insist on a warranty for your construction or foundation repair Portland project. A contractor who gives warranty is a contractor who is willing to put his money where his mouth is – and it takes competence and confidence for a contractor to bet money on their work. By working with a contractor who provides warranty, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you are getting good, quality work for the money you are paying.
3. Licenses, affiliations and relevant credentials
A license is a testament that the contractor is compliant with the state’s minimum industry requirements. Certainly, you want to hire a licensed contractor. Alongside the license, find out if the contractor has additional credentials to back up their expertise. These include:
• Membership of the National Association for Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC)
• Membership of the International Concrete Repair Institute
Other factors you may want to look into when hiring a contractor include:
• The contractor’s standard operating procedure
• Payment terms
• Experience
• Permits and insurance
A building’s structural integrity is, to a great extent, a factor of the strength of its foundation. An error or careless mistake while laying the foundation can result in a devastating disaster down the road. Having a strong foundation requires careful planning and professional execution. It pays to hire a knowledgeable concrete foundation expert who will dedicate all the attention to your project. Call <a href=”http://eternalrockconstructioninc.com/”>Eternal Rock Construction Inc</a> today for a professional concrete foundation project.