Foundation Installation

Information may not be reliable

The foundation is probably the most Erosion Control Waco TX neglected part of any home construction project. Its importance should not be underestimated, however. While the deck and exterior structure can be easily removed without much trouble, the foundation is there to withstand the full force of a storm.

When the foundation has been completed, and it will be, and you begin foundation work, there are a few things that should be considered. While building codes have been created to protect the home from damage caused by storms, they do not actually dictate how the foundation should be constructed. Instead, the regulations simply state the minimum elements that should be present.

The foundation is considered to be one of the weakest points in a home. The strength of the concrete, it is made out of, the weight of a house, and the other materials used in its construction are usually taken into account. But the foundation's responsibility is to resist the force of a storm. In fact, a foundation is supposed to take the force of a windstorm and then overcome that force with the weight of the house itself.

The first thing that is required of a foundation is that it is properly poured. In the case of a home that is being built in Texas, the foundation is going to be built either as a deep trench or it may be a sunken foundation. For a deep trench foundation, the ground underneath the house will be excavated to allow the concrete to pour into the hole.

The excavation for a foundation must be kept relatively dry. The water that is pumped up the foundation during a storm will eventually find its way into the hole. It will soak in and quickly run out before the next rain hits. If water finds its way into the hole, the force of the storm will compress the concrete and weaken the structure.

Once the hole has been dug, the surface of the concrete has to be leveled. If a flat piece of plywood is placed over the top of the hole, the amount of compression on the concrete is limited. Once the surface of the concrete is leveled, it must be sealed with a layer of concrete or another type of caulk. For protection against moisture, this layer should be at least two inches thick. It should be left in place for two weeks, before being removed.

Caulk should be used to complete the seal. The caulk will seal the edges of the concrete, preventing water from leaking out. As long as there is no leak or leakage that begins and ends with the caulk, the concrete will be relatively impervious to weather damage.

After the foundation is installed, it is time to construct the roof. As in any home, the roof is only as strong as the weakest connection. The topmost two stories of the house will usually be the strongest. That is why the foundation should be built to withstand a tornado or even a hail storm.

Once the base has been set, the next connection will be the walls and ceiling. Of course, when the entire roof is assembled, the materials used to make it are not going to be in a position to stand up to an actual storm. Fortunately, there are many ways to strengthen these materials.

One important step in foundation installation is removing the shingles from the roof. Shingles will give the house a permanent roof. In order to ensure that the rest of the house is not affected by storms, it must be replaced in the same manner.

Siding must be protected, as well. After it has been installed, the siding has to be able to hold up against the force of a storm. Before a siding job can be completed, it must be waterproofed.

Foundation installation is an extremely important and delicate process. Careful planning and preparation will make all the difference.