Types of Home Foundations

By Shawn Kyles

The purpose of a foundation is to support a building and prevent it from sliding or slipping. Most foundations are made of concrete, but they can also be built from stone, wood and brick. Some of the more common types of foundations include a concrete slab foundation, a crawlspace foundation and a basement foundation.

Concrete slab foundations are built by pouring concrete into a wood frame that is flush with the ground. The concrete usually rests on a bed of gravel, and is thicker where the outside and interior walls are located. Thick wire is put into the concrete to help prevent it from cracking. Slab foundations are common in mild and warm climates where the ground doesn’t freeze.

A crawlspace foundation is typically found in places where the soil has a heavy clay content. It is constructed with a hollow block or poured concrete frame that supports the home’s perimeter walls. It leaves room for a person to crawl between the floor of a house and the ground. One of the advantages of a crawlspace foundation is that there is space for the installation of plumbing, electrical components and air ducts.

Basement foundations have significant room between the home’s floor and ground. They are normally built with a concrete slab floor, and poured concrete or concrete block walls.

Foundations came become damaged over time due to:

• Inadequate construction
• Poor soil compaction
• Poor drainage
• Leaking roofs
• Concrete shrinkage
• Expansive soil

Evidence of a foundation that is in need of repair includes floor cracks, wall cracks, foundation cracks, bowed walls, uneven or slopping floors, leaning chimneys, wall separation, wall rotation, nail popping, and doors and windows that don’t open or close properly. Moisture can enter homes through wall cracks, as well as doors and windows that don’t fit correctly, causing further damage to the house. Air can also penetrate through cracks and openings, increasing utility bills. Severe foundation damage can eventually result in a partial or total building collapse.

If you suspect your foundation has structural issues, a qualified foundation repair company should be contacted at once to conduct a thorough inspection of your home foundation. You will get valuable advice regarding the source of any problems, and what should be done to correct the situation. If foundation repairs are needed, they should be made as soon as possible to avoid more costly trouble that will develop later on.

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