Ask The Builder - Home Building, Remodeling and Improvement Information Page

Updated: Tue, 30 May 2006 10:26:10

Foundations
Concrete Foundations Must Be Strong
Concrete foundations need to be durable to support the building that is built above. Concrete foundation repair can become very expensive after the entire building is constructed.

Foundations
Treated Wood Foundations

Treated wood foundations can be used when you build a new home. But wood foundations may not last as long as a concrete or concrete block foundation. A permanent wood foundation must have the right mix of chemicals to ensure it never rots or is eaten by termites.

Foundations
Foundation Drain Tile

Foundation drain tile is a critical component in new construction. This pipe and the clean gravel that surrounds it quickly moves water away from your foundation. If water is not drawn away from a foundation, it can leak into a basement or crawlspace.

Foundations
Removing Foundation Tar
Removing foundation tar is not easy. It can also be dangerous. Do not use solvents like gasoline, paint thinner or mineral spirits because of the extreme fire danger.

Foundations
Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks that are both vertical and horizontal are often serious. Cracks in a foundation are often caused by poor building methods.

Foundations
Pier Foundations Protect Trees

Pier foundations resemble wood decks or a common table. The actual foundation is a series of vertical columns that transfer the building load to the soil. Beams are built on top of the vertical columns that hold up the walls of the house or structure. These specialized foundations work great around trees or in other locations where it is difficult to dig a traditional foundation.

Foundations
Backfilling a Foundation Wall

Foundation walls are one of the most important structural elements of your home. They must be strong and supported well before you place vast amounts of heavy soil against them. The backfill soil can quickly crack or push in a concrete wall that is not strong enough to resist the force of the dirt.

Foundations
Wood vs. Poured Concrete Foundations
Poured wall foundations and wood can coexist together for a beautiful finished basement. Poured wall foundations provide permanence that wood foundations sometimes do not. The wood can be used for the floor trusses with wood I joists that span large distances without structural beams in your basement.

Foundations
Thickness of Poured Concrete Foundation Walls

Poured concrete foundation walls come in all sizes, thicknesses, heights and widths. As concrete gets taller, it must get thicker. All of these dimensions are interrelated.

Foundations
Flooded Basement and Hurricane Winds

Masonry walls made from stone, concrete block, brick or a combination of the materials can look fine, but wind-driven rain can really cause waterproofing problems. Massive amounts of water can enter through invisible passageways.

Foundations
Waterproofing Foundations
Damproofing and waterproofing should not be confused. Damproofing, a liquid asphalt, does not waterproof the foundation. Hot asphalt and rubber coating and an insulating panel will fully protect your foundation.

Foundations
Cement Stucco Foundation Finish

If your bare concrete or concrete block foundation is exposed, you can use stucco to cover it up. You can add permanent colors to stucco and create very interesting textures with little effort. Be sure to clean the surface and install in slightly warm weather.

Foundations
Connecting a New Foundation to an Old One

Soil stability is extremely important for foundations. Connections between foundations, no matter how strong, depend on soil and footers for strength. For waterproofing, apply special waterproofing compounds to the exterior of the finished foundation.

Foundations
Settlement Cracks or Shrinkage
Settlement cracks can occur in a concrete foundation wall or concrete slab shortly after being poured. But most concrete cracks are caused by shrinkage. Soil quality, footer design and steel reinforcements can all help prevent cracks.

Foundations
Foundation Tricks for Waterproof Homes
If you are building a home that has brick or stone that needs the support of the foundation, a flat foundation may not be a wise choice. A ledge can be poured so your masonry sits above it to prevent water from leaking in.

Foundations
Foundation Height
Foundation heights, the finished grade that touches the surrounding soil, are important for a home's drainage. Foundations should be set two feet higher than the highest point within 10 feet of the foundation.

Foundations
Poured Concrete vs. Block Walls

A concrete block foundation can be stronger than a poured concrete foundation. They differ in the size of gravel used, and that concrete blocks are hollow while poured concrete is solid. Reinforcing steel can be used to strengthen either material.

Foundations
Foundation Cracks

A large foundation crack is a serious matter. Professional engineers who understand foundations need to be brought in. Once the foundation has stopped its differential movement, you then repair the cracks.

Foundations
Foundation Choices Are Many

The foundation of your home is important. An extra 20 inches of concrete will give you full-height eight foot finished ceilings in your basement. You could also get a slab on grade or crawl space basement.

Foundations
Settlement Cracks - Causes and Prevention

Houses develop cracks after they are built. Settlement can happen, but the cracks you see are often caused by something else. Structural cracking can be minimized by taking precautions.

Foundations
House Settling Cracks Information
House settling cracks are unsettling. Foundation settlement has a lot of information about it, including lumber shrinkage. Foundation repair and foundation problems can be solved by doing some reading.

Foundations
Understanding House Settling Cracks
House settling cracks drive people crazy. People wonder how to identify house foundation cracks or any sort of cracks. Planning ahead on your new home construction will save you foundation movement and cracking in the future.

Foundations
Precast Concrete Foundation Companies
Precast concrete foundations are sold my many companies. These precast concrete wall systems have seen an explosion in popularity. Here is a list of some precast foundation walls companies.

Foundations
Precast Concrete Walls
Precast concrete foundations are ideal for residential and commercial construction. Precast concrete walls are energy efficient, can be constructed in one day and are reinforced with steel rods. Precast concrete foundation wall panels are growing in popularity because of this.

Foundations
Precast Concrete Foundation Walls

Precast concrete foundations have many advantages. They don't need footers poured and cured in a controlled factory. They can be installed in less than a day and are bolted together and then waterproofed.

Foundations
Basement Water Leaks
Too many basement foundation walls are built with a minimum amount of structural steel. The exterior walls are rarely waterproofed. When concrete cracks, leaks start to happen. You can patch the cracks from the inside, but it is not easy.

Foundations
Brush-on Waterproofing Compounds
These brush-on waterproofing products work well for a waterproof foundation. Make sure the surface is clean and free from paint before applying. These products do not stretch, so foundation cracks will reopen and need to be resealed.

Foundations
Hydraulic Cement
Hydraulic cement expands as it dries to fill cracks in concrete foundations. This expanding cement helps waterproof a cracked foundation. The following manufacturers make hydraulic cement.

Foundations
Concrete Epoxy & Masonry Epoxy Repair
Concrete epoxy can fill concrete cracks successfully. Epoxy concrete in some cases is even stronger than the concrete itself! Masony epoxy repair can easily be done, but if you are unsure, contact a pro.

Foundations
Curtain Drain Tips
A curtain drain is good for diverting subsurface water that can cause drainage problems around your home. Installing a linear french drain is a handy DIY project that will give you dry yard results.

Foundations
Concrete Wall Repairs & Concrete Epoxy
Epoxy concrete wall repair products are super for foundation leaks or cracks. For a waterproof foundation, use concrete epoxy to glue or actually weld the cracks together. Your concrete wall repairs will save you money in the long run.

Foundations
Crawl Space vs. Full Foundation
Choosing a crawlspace over a full basement is a way to save money when building a new home. However, in the long run the usable space is a good investment.

Foundations
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Systems
Exterior foundation waterproofing products come in rubber, modified asphalts or bentotnite clay. The following manufacturers have many products for your waterproofing needs.

Foundations
Foundation Drain Tile & Backfilling Tips
Waterproofed foundations are seemingly waterproof, but asphalt spray only damp proofs your home. Drain tile installation can help your foundation stay dry. Proper foundation backfill is also crucial in helping your retaining walls stay strong.

Foundations
Piering Foundations - Lifting and Pushing
When foundations drop, there are many reasons for the failure. Clay dirt has shrinkage and swell properties that can lead to foundation cracks. Foundations that suffer from other forms of settlement can be repaired using several methods: underpinning, steel pipe piers with support brackets or helical piers.

Foundations
House Foundation Settlement
House foundation settlement is any sort of movement that your foundation makes, caused by stressors or tension in the environment. Foundation cracks are unfortunate results of settlement. If you have a cracked foundation it can usually be repaired and stabilized - here's how!

Foundations
Ways to Stabilize Your House Foundation
House foundations are now stablized using helical piers instead of underpinning which is labor intensive. Foundation drainage pipes also aid in controlling water flow around your foundation. Sometimes settlement cracks are simply a cause of lumber shrinkage and not foundation problems.

Foundations
Literature for Foundation Problems & Helical Anchors
Read up on foundation problems in the following books. Also, the following manufacturers make steel pipe piers and helical anchors to help solve settlement foundation problems.

Foundations
Analyzing Foundation Cracks
Knowing the reasons for cracks in foundation will help with foundation crack repair. The following foundation cracks are described first by their appearance and then by their probable cause.

Foundations
House Excavation Boo - Boo
Houses with foundations placed too close to the ground or grade level can cause drainage problems. Houses placed too high up can ruin plans for a walkout basement. Prior to building, check with your builder or architect to make sure the plans are mathematically correct.

Foundations
Optical Levels, Laser Levels & Transit Manufacturers
The following is a list of manufacturers of optical levels, laser levels and transits.

Foundations
Using Transits, Laser Levels and Optical Builder's Levels
Using professional instruments such as transits, laser levels and optical builder's levels will help you to determine distant elevation changes. Here is a guide to using these laser tools.

Foundations
Tips on Foundation Soil Grade Around Houses
Foundation soil grade is important to consider for new home construction and for existing homes. Foundations that don't protrude form the ground enough can suffer drainage and leakage problems. Soil should slope away from the home. If you have a flat lot, drain pipes and trenches can be used to control water flow.

Foundations
Illustrated Concrete & Concrete Block Publications
Concrete and concrete block construction information is readily available. Here are some pamphlets, magazines and books about concrete block.

Foundations
Poured Concrete & Concrete Block Walls
Basement walls made of poured concrete or concrete block really act as retaining walls for a home. Concrete block construction and poured foundations withstand enormous amounts of tension forces. Use reinforcing steel to strengthen the foundation walls.

Foundations
Residential Foundations Tips
If you want a strong residential foundation, make sure you follow the tips below. Use reinforcing steel, don't backfill too soon and leave poured concrete forms in place a couple days after pouring concrete.

Foundations
Poured Concrete Walls vs. Concrete Block
Concrete block was used to build thousands of basement foundation walls in Cincinnati and other parts of the nation in the 1950's building boom. Many of the builders and block layers failed to realize that block mortar typically only has 1/3 the strength in tension as concrete. Those block walls have a long horizontal crack in the bed joint about four feet from the floor. But you can build block walls that withstand the test of time.

Foundations
Waterproof Foundation & Damp Proofing
A waterproof foundation is essential for any residential home. Many foundations, however, are not completely waterproofed. Damp proofing a foundation simply slows down the water penetration and does not completely waterproof a foundation.

Foundations
Manufacturers of Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Compounds
The following manufacturers make waterproof foundation compounds for residential construction.

Foundations
Tips to Minimize Water Infiltration
Water infiltration in a foundation can cause all sorts of problems. A waterproof foundation leads to a structurally sound home. Backfilling too soon and too aggressively can cause foundation cracks that weaken your house. Also, make sure the ground slopes away from your foundation. Pipe water from sump pumps away from the home.

Foundations
Exterior Foundation Wall Waterproofing
If you want a truly waterproof foundation, use the right products and a good drainage system. Damproofing products are generally asphalt or tar based compounds sprayed on the foundation. Waterproofing compounds are different.

Foundations
House Foundations & Footings
House foundations and residential footings are crucial to the success of a building. Footings and foundations, when properly designed, withstand all the forces of a house. These foundation footings should be constructed from durable materials.

Foundations
Forces Harmful to House Foundation & Footers
House foundations and footers are subject to all sorts of forces which can cause them to fail. Cracks in concrete footings could possibly lead to collapse of the entire structure. Among the forces acting on residential footings and foundations are gravity, soil swelling and frost heaving.

Foundations
Structural Alternatives for House Foundations & Footings
Two structural alternatives to house foundations and footings are piles and piers. Piles are driven deep into soil while piers are columns cemented into the ground. In certain soil conditions, these two alternatives may be best to use.

Foundations
Footing/Foundation Importance
A patio slab that doesn't have a foundation shouldn't have a structure built on top of it. Foundations protect structures from frost heaving that could crack the slab.

FREE Newsletter

Advertise Now on AsktheBuilder.com

RSS

New Columns

Tim Carter Blog

Ebooks

Bid Sheets

Everyone wants to have a real pro do their work. But how do you cut through all of the slick sales talk and promises? How do you know if the contractor is going to do the job the right way? My Bid Sheets solve all of these problems and more.

Click Here to get a FREE sample Bid Sheet and to learn more about these wonderful Instant Download documents!