The type of foundation your home has matters because the solution may be different for each kind of project. First let’s start with depth of your foundation, and then the different types. The more shallow your foundation is, the bigger the probability you’ll experience a foundation problem.
Types of Foundations Depths
- Slab Foundation – Flat Concrete Pad – Used on room additions or detached garage – Prone to Sinking
- Crawl Space – Lifted off the ground at least 24″ – Prone to mold and fungi because of empty space
- Basement – 8′ tall – Additional square footage for living space – Prone to Leaning, Sinking, Seepage
- Telephone Post | Pier or Beam – Elevated slightly above ground – Inexpensive and easy to build
- No Foundation – In very rare cases no foundation is present – Needs new 42″ Deep Trench Foundation
Different Kinds | Types of Foundations
Concrete Foundation Walls
Made of concrete precast forms with footing. Normal shrinkage cracks may appear on the foundation, this is due to water content moisture at the time of ready mix pour, more water equals more cracks on the wall. What isn’t normal, is if these cracks start to leak or get wider, and when this is occurs you now have a foundation problem. Diagonal cracks or horizontal cracks are also a sign of a foundation problem.
Concrete Block Foundation Walls
These foundation walls are made of cinder block. The biggest foundation problem for these walls is inward movement or bowing. This is because the block foundation wall does not have the strength to resist the lateral pressure from the soil pushing against it from the outside.
Limestone Foundation Wall
If your home is over 100 years old, it was probably made from limestone. It’s just stacks of stone on top of each other filled with motor.
Red Brick
This type of foundation is made up of bricks. The home foundation may experience bowing do to deterioration in the brick and mortar. Some of these walls may also experience settling too.