4 Simple Guidelines for Building a Reliable Concrete Foundation
Concrete is a beneficial building material with incredible strength. Therefore, if you are constructing a residential building, you should consider using a poured concrete base. This type of foundation will provide optimal support for your house, ensuring stability. These foundations are also advantageous because they are economical. In addition, a poured concrete base is easy to establish. However, you should keep in mind that the quality of your foundation will depend on the installation. Here are simple tips to help you build a stable and long-lasting concrete base.
Install Footings
When building your concrete foundation, you should plan on installing some footings to increase the strength of the base. Moreover, these elements will prevent the crumbling of the cured concrete as more weight is placed on the foundation. In general, you can install reinforcing steel bar footing or support beams. You should inquire from your contractor about the number of reinforcing elements needed for a highly stable foundation.
Choose Your Concrete
Concrete mixtures will have different levels of strength depending on the composition of the material. Therefore, if you are installing a poured concrete foundation, you must compare the different options before beginning the work. It is important to keep in mind the load which will be exerted on the foundation after construction. Moreover, you must consider the external loads such as the soil which can further stress the base. You can avoid premature structural failure by choosing high strength concrete mixes with exceptional load-bearing capabilities. Local concrete services can customise the mixture that best matches your foundational requirements.
Monitor the Curing Process
One of the common causes of unreliable concrete foundations is poor curing. If the concrete material does not cure appropriately, the base will not realise its best potential. In simple terms, the foundation might not be as strong as expected. Therefore, you should monitor the poured curing and uphold the best practices for curing. It is essential to keep the foundation hydrated to prevent rapid drying and subsequent cracking. This is particularly important during hot weather. If the weather is cold, the curing process will take a long time. You should be patient and avoid applying loads before the concrete stabilises.
Consider Bracing
Finally, you should think about temporarily bracing the surrounding wall of soil around the foundation. The backfill can stress the poured concrete and cause premature cracking. Simply speaking, the lateral pressure from the dirt around the foundation could cause some harm. Therefore, plan on bracing for the backfill until you build the basement slab to provide additional structural support.