How Many Foundations Can One House Have?
When we talk about the structural elements in a typical house, it’s interesting to note that the house “foundation†is usually referred to in singular form. A closer look at how houses are built, and how they’re remodeled over time, reveals the fact that a typical house has more than one foundation. Unfortunately, multiple foundations can increase the likelihood of foundation problems.
Slabs, basements, crawl spaces and more…
The fact is, most houses have several foundations. In many northern states, a typical house will have a basement foundation beneath the main part of the house, and a slab foundation beneath the garage. But what if the house has a poured-concrete patio? That’s a slab foundation too. And in my house, our new kitchen is located on a slab foundation that was originally created to make a screened porch.
Let’s say that a growing family in a house with a basement foundation decides that they need some extra space. The contractor they hire to build their addition is likely to recommend a crawl space foundation for the new space rather than a full basement.
Compared to building a basement foundation, a crawl space foundation can be built more quickly, more affordably and with less damage and disruption to the property. This explains why many older homes that have been expanded and/or remodeled have basement as well as crawl space and slab foundations.
More foundations can mean a greater chance of foundation problems
Ideally, every foundation would be built by the same contractor, ensuring uniformity, quality control and provide a basic familiarity with local soil conditions and building code requirements. But an older house that has been remodeled or added onto probably has foundations that were built by numerous contractors.
Homeowners may have even decided to do some of the work themselves, completing a poured-concrete slab for a patio without a builder’s help, for example. With multiple builders adding foundations at different times, there’s a greater chance that problems may develop –slabs that crack because of inadequate reinforcement or missing control joints, crawl space walls that settle because of soft soils with poor load-bearing qualities, and so on.
Even with sound foundation construction practices are followed, there can be problems that develop over time. For example, consider the situation that occurs when a dirt-floored crawl space foundation is added onto an existing basement foundation. The basement may have been clean and dry before the addition, but that status will change as moisture from the new crawl space migrates into the basement area. Completing the crawl space without sealing out the moisture will introduce high humidity into both foundations, along with the strong likelihood that mold and insect damage will follow.
When an addition is built, a new roof typically joins an older one. Gutter and drainage issues must be addressed to avoid excessive storm runoff that can cause foundation problems due to hydrostatic pressure and erosion around a foundation.
Foundation repair specialists have the expertise to permanently fix foundation problems
For homeowners, the bottom line with any foundation problem is that it’s essential to call in a foundation repair specialist, rather than a general contractor. Especially in an older house that has been remodeled and expanded over the years, foundation problems can be difficult to diagnose. The good news is that foundation repair specialists have tools and materials to correct most problems quickly and affordably. Rarely is it necessary to demolish and replace a damaged foundation. Instead, an experienced foundation repair contractor can often install piers or wall anchors to stabilize a compromised foundation and restore settled slabs or bowed walls to their original positions. By correctly identifying and correcting the conditions that caused the foundation problem, these experts can make permanent repairs so that problems won’t recur in the future.
Contact the experts at Foundation Supportworksâ„¢ by DryZone today for a free estimate for foundation repair in Wilmington and all surrounding locations.