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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. |
