The start of any home is a solid foundation. Identifying the type of foundation is important to diagnosing any foundation or water proofing concerns and to determine the best permanent solutions. There are a few options depending on design of the home as well as the earth it is built on. Some structures may even have a combination of foundation types.
The most common types of foundation include:
• Slab Foundation. Concrete poured on grade. Structure affixed directly to the slab. Often plumbing may run through the slab.
• Crawlspace Foundation. Concrete footing with blocks to lift the structure off the (exposed) earth below. The height of crawl spaces vary dramatically, some you can barely crawl under, others have plenty of space for storage. Plumbing, HVAC, utility lines will also run through the space. At one time it was believed that crawl space vents were important for air flow and ventilation; therefore, most crawl spaces are built with vents.
• Basement Foundation. Tall enough to stand. In this area we see mostly walk-out basements. Functions may include: Garage, storage, utilities, or living spaces.
Below are the most common types of foundation walls:
• Poured concrete walls: This is the most common today.
• Concrete block walls: Common from 1940-1975 and still used today.
• Stone walls: Common in older homes. Monolithic foundations can be block or poured walls but the floor and footing are poured in one piece. With walls on top, this is a two-piece foundation instead of a three-piece foundation.
Do you have a solid foundation under your home? Call for a FREE estimate today! (931) 451-1133 or visit our website.
Drywall vs foundation cracks video: