Your home’s foundation is one of the most integral elements in your house. It determines the structural integrity of your home, supports it, and insulates it. It is also essential in keeping moisture out and preventing insect infiltration. Yet, you must understand different things about this foundation to help you know how to handle it. The following insights will help.

What Do I Need to Know About My Home's Foundation?

There Are Different House Foundations

According to Forbes, over 300,000 old and uninhabitable homes are demolished yearly. In most cases, this happens because people do not know much about their foundations. There are two main types of house foundations: shallow and deep.

Shallow foundations are designed not to exceed the safe bearing capacity of the soil. It requires you to excavate the earth until the bottom of the footing before building a new foundation. This foundation can get damaged from freezing, meaning you must protect it during cold seasons. There are four categories of shallow foundations: individual, strip, raft, and combined footing.

Deep foundations are meant to sink deep into the earth. They guarantee enhanced structural stability and reliability. You’ll often choose between drilled shaft foundations and piles. The choice depends on how deep you want the foundation to run.

Watch Out for Warning Signs

A weak foundation can readily cost you your building, including causing casualties. You need to confirm whether or not this structure is stable, preferably through regular inspection. A comprehensive assessment will help you capture the signs that your foundation is weak, including the following.

Cracks are tell-tale signs that you need to repair your foundation. They are the most popular signs and could happen in the house’s interior or exterior. Suppose it is an exterior crack. Then, expect zigzag patterns on the wall. On the other hand, interior sheetrock cracks are indicated by lines running across the floor and the height of the walls. According to Home Advisor, cracks measuring more than 1/8th of an inch should be a source of concern.

Other signs include bouncing wooden floors, expansion joint separation, popping nails, rotten wood, and walls pulling away from the building.

According to Home Advisor, you’ll spend approximately $4,640 to repair the foundation. This figure can be lower if you capture the issues at the initial stage. For this reason, ensure that you engage a contractor from time to time to check your home’s structural integrity.

Top Designs and Materials Used for Foundations

The materials used to build a foundation will often determine its stability. The chosen design will also affect its longevity. Popular choices to pick from include slab, crawlspace, and pier foundation.

The pier foundation is a popular choice, thanks to its enhanced strength. It is recommended for areas where the traditional foundation laying is tricky. However, it could be relatively costly for most people.

Suppose you want a standard choice. Then, the slab concrete foundation is a perfect match. This choice requires you to pour concrete on the ground to set up the slab. You can use steel rods to reinforce this selection. Most people like slab foundations because they are pretty affordable.

You could also consider a crawlspace foundation, which is constructed on blocks. Most contractors will use concrete pillars to enhance their structural integrity. Usually, this option leaves a small basement area beneath the home, making it suitable for areas with a high groundwater level.

Why You Need a Strong Foundation

An excellent home foundation offers incredible benefits, including stability and structural longevity. A foundation’s primary goal is to boost your home’s support. This enhanced stability, even during inclement weather, will guarantee your safety.

You’ll also rely on a well-built foundation to insulate the home and keep insects away. Excellent insulation is central in keeping your home comfortable, warm, and relatively less noisy.

Your home’s foundation’s integrity should be a priority. You’ll need to inspect it from time to time to ensure no cracks are present. With the insights above, you understand when to repair and how to inspect foundations.