Laying The Concrete Foundation For Your New Home

Posted on: 20 December 2022

When you are having a new home built, the foundation that is laid will be a key component of the building as it will support the immense weight of the entire structure. Not surprisingly, the process of building the concrete foundation will be an involved process that may require more than you may have first expected from it. 

A Concrete Foundation's Design Will Have To Address Many Potential Threats

Individuals often assume that a concrete foundation is little more than a large slab of concrete on the ground. However, there are many design considerations that will have to be weighed when laying the foundation. One example of this could be calculating the amount of weight that the foundation will have to support. In addition to the weight of the structure itself, these calculations will also need to factor in the weight of the furniture or other items that will be in the house. If the foundation is not thick or strong enough, this weight could easily lead to deep cracks forming in it that could pose structural integrity challenges.

The Soil Where The Concrete Foundation Is To Be Built Will Need To Be Prepared

The soil where the concrete foundation is going to be placed will need to be prepared as part of this process. At a minimum, this will require it to be excavated so that it will be completely level. If the ground is not level, there may be disparities in the depth of the concrete, which could create weak spots. In addition to excavating it, the soil may also need to be stabilized. Soil stabilization can be an involved process that will require the use of lime to help bind the soil together. This is most often needed when the soil is rich in clay as it may be more prone to compressing or shifting in response to the weight of the house.

The Concrete Foundation Will Need Time To Set And Cure

After the concrete foundation has been poured, it will need to be given time to allow for it to set and cure. This can take up to several weeks to finish. Unfortunately, rain and other moist conditions during this period could extend the time that is required for the concrete to cure. While this may be a somewhat frustrating delay for a homeowner, it can be unavoidable if the concrete foundation is to be as strong as possible when construction work resumes.

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