Lake Forest Concrete Foundation
A home’s foundation acts as the main load-bearing portion of the whole structure. Mostly built below ground, the foundation: supports the structure, keeps out groundwater, and acts as a barrier to water and soil vapor.
Every home needs a foundation, albeit of different types depending on the climate, budget, and the homeowner’s preferences. In constructing the foundation, there is little room for error as the foundation holds the entire structure. It would be best if you had contractors like Lake Forest Concrete Pros with unrivaled craftsmanship and years of experience in building homes.
Give us a call at 949-899-6146 to get a concrete foundation in Lake Forest, California with free estimates.
Types of Foundations
Like most things in homebuilding, there are always a variety of choices to choose from. Foundations come in various types depending on the material used and the methodology.
At Lake Concrete Pros, we specialize in concrete foundations owing to their superior strength and durability. We advise most of our customers to choose concrete foundations as they outperform other materials in most important metrics.
However, even when using concrete, there are still quite some options to choose from. Here then, is a brief overview of the three most common types of concrete foundations.
Slab Foundations
Slabs are perhaps one of the most commonly used types of foundations as they require the least amount of prep to begin construction and have a relatively simpler installation process.
The project starts by pouring 24 inches of concrete footers below the forecasted finish. At least two layers of blocks are placed onto the footers and then followed by internal piping installation. Concrete four inches thick and rock filler is then added on top.
Slab foundations’ main advantage over the competition is their price; they are the cheapest options of all concrete foundations. They also require very little maintenance.
However, they may pose a problem when trying to repair plumbing systems buried deep below the slab. One has to first break through the concrete slab, which will be very costly to repair. Slabs also offer little protection from bad weather like storms.
Crawl Space Foundations
These elevate the house a few feet off the ground. The footing is then poured then blocks laid to support the walls of the structure. Crawlspaces save on cost but take a lot of time to build.
Basement Foundations
A basement, by definition, is an eight-foot hole that ends in a concrete slab.
Modern basement foundations are built with poured concrete walls providing structural integrity and protection from moisture. Basements help to anchor property to the ground while extending the foundation below the area’s frost line.
Here are a few reasons concrete foundations are the best.
Maintenance Fee
Concrete is incredibly resistant to rot and decay and thus requires virtually no maintenance. With a concrete foundation, you don’t ever have to worry about making calls to your contractor for any maintenance, saving you a lot of cash and time.
Strength
This is perhaps concrete’s main advantage over other materials as it is exceptional in both compressive and flexural strength. Poured concrete is far stronger than block concrete and also exceeds the mandatory safety factor by far.
Strength also means stability with concrete providing increased sustenance and firmness for the structure. The building will not move with the inevitable movement of the soil beneath the house.
Protection
As mentioned earlier, concrete’s strength protects the structure from unnatural movements of the soil. In addition to this, concrete also protects from water damage as it is not porous. This will also reduce basement water problems and prevent possible leakage.
A concrete foundation also protects from a possible fire outbreak, giving the homeowner a chance to escape before the fire gets out of hand.
Give us a call at 949-899-6146 to get a foundation that will keep your home standing long after you vacate. Dial now and get free estimates.
