New Construction Foundations
Building a new home is always an exciting experience, but adjusting the foundation in the beginning is essential to avoid issues later. Often, foundation problems occur because the proper precautions were not taken when the house was initially built.
When you decide to build your own home, it is necessary to prevent this from occurring because it will save you time and money and will be a lot less of a hassle. When you are having new construction done, foundations are a large part of the structure. The support holds your home up through all kinds of weather, furnishings, and other factors. It is by far the most important part of the home because so many pieces of your house stem from the foundation. When your foundation begins to have problems, it can cause a ripple effect throughout your home.
Be prepared from the beginning and take these bits of advice while you are building your home.
Soil Considerations
The soil underneath your home plays a large part. The soil underneath needs to support the weight of your home and everything inside. Also, some soils are more susceptible to causing foundation settling in your home. When there is moisture in the dirt, some soils expand a lot. When there is a lack of moisture in the soil, then the soil can shrink. This constant back and forth between shrinking and expanding puts tremendous stress on your home. It is necessary to consider what kind of soil your house is sitting on when building or renovating.
Waterproofing
Since your home’s concrete is not exactly waterproof, your home is subjected to moisture. Water in your home adds many problems that could be avoided, such as mold, bacteria, and musty smells, in addition to attracting small animals and insects. An easy precaution to take is to build your home high above the grade to keep water away from your home. If the water drains away from the home, you have a little leverage to avoid flooding in your basement. Talking to a professional about certain waterproofing methods, such as sump pumps, can provide more protection for your home.
Watch for Trouble
Keeping an eye on your home is important to keep your house strong and safe. In the process of building a new home, small hairline cracks are a common thing, but there are some cracks that you need to keep on the lookout for. If you find a crack larger at the top than at the bottom, this is a sign that your home’s foundation is settling incorrectly. Also, signs of horizontal cracks are bad. They indicate that there may be a structural failure in the wall. These may be the most important ones to keep an eye out for.
If you have any signs of foundation problems or want peace of mind, please contact Jerry’s Waterproofing for a free inspection and quote.