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.
