New Construction Foundations
Building a new home is always an exciting experience, but it is important to make adjustments to the foundation in the beginning so that you will not run into issues later. A lot of times when a home has foundation problems they occur because when the house was originally built the proper precautions were not taken into consideration.
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 it will be a lot less of a hassle. When you are having new construction done, foundations are a large part of the structure. It is the support that 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 also. The soil underneath needs to be able 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. With this constant back and forth between shrinking and expanding, it puts great stress on your home. It is necessary to take into account what kind of soil your home is sitting on when building or renovating.
Waterproofing
Since your home’s concrete is not exactly waterproof, your home is subjected to moisture. When there is water in your home, it adds many problems that could be avoided like 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, then 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 you with more protection for your home.
Watch for Trouble
Keeping an eye on your home is an important part of keeping your home 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 that is larger at the top than at the bottom, then 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 just want some peace of mind, please contact Jerry’s Waterproofing for a free inspection and quote.