The Basic of Your Home Foundation

The Basics of Your Home’s Foundation

As a homeowner you may pride yourself on knowing everything about your house, but have you considered what’s right under your feet? Foundations are designed to last the life of the home, but over several years soil movements and plain wear and tear can compromise its structural integrity. Knowing when there is a problem is the first step to fixing it, so brush up on the basics of home foundation design with this brief guide from Structured Foundation Repairs.

Types of Foundations

Slab-on-grade foundations are one of the most common types of foundations in homes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. They consist of a shallow slab of reinforced concrete or similar material and are in direct contact with the ground. While they are relatively inexpensive and easy to produce, they are more susceptible to seasonal shrinking and heaving movements of the soil. Pier-and-beam foundations have a concrete footing that extends below the frost line and wooden beams that support the rest of the home. These types of foundations usually have a crawlspace beneath the home.

Common Maintenance Mistakes

Some amount of soil movement is unavoidable, but excessive amounts of soil heave can damage the foundation or underground plumbing lines. One of the best ways to protect your home is to provide adequate drainage away from the house. Simply keeping the rain gutters clean, building up the ground around the house, and installing French drains can reduce the likelihood of major damage. Also, turn off the water main, record the readings on the water meter, and then return a few hours later to see if the reading has changed due to a hidden water leak.

Structured Foundation Repairs is an industry leader in foundation repair, and we take pride in providing fast, professional, and cost-effective results. Visit us online to learn more about our services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or call 972-484-1200 to receive a free estimate.