Building Foundation

Building the foundation of your house is one of the most important tasks while building your house. If the foundation is not properly laid then the entire edifice will be unstable. Here are a few things that you must remember while laying the house foundation.

• Sometimes it would be better to hire an engineer to inspect and approve of the concrete foundation that has been laid. Though it may cost a little more, it is better to spend that money than be sorry later on. If you have a basement then you definitely need to consult an engineer.
• Hire a surveyor who will mark the corners of your house. Pay that extra bit more to save you trouble later on. Ask the surveyor to inspect the plot before your start the footing work.
• After the surveyor has marked the position of the house, get the excavator to dig soil for laying the foundation. Consult your electrician and plumber and you can get the required excavation for these connections done at the same time.
• The plumber will do the water connections, storm and sanitary sewer. Once laid inspected by the Water company and City Inspector respectively.
• The electrician will lay pipes for electrical connections, cable and telephone. The wires will be connected to the various utilities as and when required.
• Depending on the quality of the soil excavated you will need good quality sand, pitrun and drain rock. You may have to get soil as well, if you have to increase the level of soil or if the soil is unstable. Before the foundation is laid the soil will have to be compacted and leveled. Make sure that this is done well with proper equipment
• Material for the foundation has to be ordered from the lumberyard and the concrete company. While the foundation is being laid ensure that no extra building material is delivered, as it will get in the way of the work being done.
• Contact the electrician, plumber and heating company to ask them if they want anything installed in the foundation before the concrete is poured.
• After footing is laid ask the City Hall to conduct a Footing Inspection.
• Ensure that the footings and foundation are laid at the same time, so that the concrete can be poured simultaneously for both.
• A day after the concrete is poured the foundation will be stripped. Place the material that is stripped in such a way that it stays clean and does not obstruct on going work.
• Waterproofing is necessary for those areas of the foundation that is below the ground level.
• When there is a basement in the house then, drain tiles will have to be placed along the edge of the house. Drainage depends on soil conditions. The top of the drain tile must be placed adjacent to the footing or foundation joint. If your municipality does not allow you to connect your pipe to their sewer then you will have to run the pipe to a gravel pit. Drainpipe inspection will be carried out by City Hall.
• The plumber will make the water and sewer connections. It will have to be inspected by City Hall and the water connection will have to inspect by the Water Company.
• Once the drain tile is inspected backfilling and grading can begin.
• Slab or Skim Coat is a layer of gravel, poly and finally a layer of concrete. Hire a professional concrete finisher to do this though you can do it.

A well-laid foundation is absolutely essential for a house. Hire an engineer or a general contractor for this purpose. Though it will cost a little more, but a strong and well-laid foundation is the best investment you can make. Use good quality material for your foundation,garage, driveway and sidewalks. Use steel for strengthening and holding things in place. Cracks formed due to the use of steel can always be fixed.

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