The foundation is the base that will support all the weight of your house. The various steps to build the foundation should be carried out carefully, as they can cause innumerable problems if they aren’t done according to the rules of trade. It’s better to spend a little more at the time of the construction than to have serious problems down the road. Below are a few pointers to guide you before you start doing or supervising the construction of this part of your new house.

Soil inspection

• It’s important to verify the nature of the soil before doing the foundation. Black earth or clay soil can require piles or wider footings.
• You also need to verify the height of the water table, as you run the risk of water infiltration if it’s near the foundation.

Excavation

The excavation must be correctly demarcated and carried out. In fact, the footings must also be buried below the front line. It’s therefore necessary to excavate deep enough.

• Although there are standards that govern the minimum resistance of concrete, it’s possible to choose superior values.
• It’s also important to think of future water drainage and to plan for the materials and the slope of the ground that is required to direct water away from the foundations. Normally, there should be a slope towards the outside at a grade of at least 5% around the house.

Choice of exterior sliding

• It’s also crucial that you choose the type of siding that will be applied to your house, as brick and stone require thicker foundation walls than if you choose a light siding.

Obviously, it’s always best to work with professionals in the field, even if you want to build the house by yourself.