Questions tagged [foundation]

The base on which a house or other structure is built or installed, connecting the structure and transferring its load to the ground. Questions using this tag should include additional tags to identify the type or material of the foundation.

Foundations serve as the base upon which a house, structure, patio, deck, or other structure is built, and connect the structure to the ground. The foundation transfers all the load of the structure to the ground, so must be able to withstand the large forces involved.

Houses tend to have concrete foundations, whereas patios or walkways may have layered foundations of stone and sand. In houses with basements, the foundation may refer only to the floor or may refer to the floor and walls of the basement.

Questions using this tag should include additional tags to identify the type or material of the foundation. Some examples include , , , , , , and .

External links

Wikipedia

752 questions
34
votes
11 answers

Is this cracking foundation under a jack post a problem that requires repair?

I am buying an already-built new home. I find this in the basement. The builder says it's okay, but I am really concerned. Is this really a big issue? What steps would be required to repair it? This house is close to the retention pond. Is that the…
John
  • 341
  • 1
  • 3
  • 3
22
votes
6 answers

Is it OK that the frame of my house doesn't line up with the slab?

My new house is being framed. I saw that the frame extends 1-2" from the foundation: Click photograph for full size The builder told me it happens often and the city inspector will catch it if this is a problem. Is this OK? Should I ask a 3rd party…
Derek C.
  • 221
  • 1
  • 2
  • 4
22
votes
1 answer

Is my rapidly failing foundation dangerous?

I'll be succinct. I'm afraid we're having a full structural failure. Over the past week, crack after crack has been appearing in our plaster and walls. I'm honestly concerned for our safety. Our home was built in 1890 and is a two-story brick and…
Slytherincess
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
16
votes
3 answers

What kind of mortar should I use to point a fieldstone foundation?

What kind of mortar should I use to point a fieldstone foundation? The old mortar is crumbling, and sandy mortar is falling out onto the basement floor. I plan to remove the crumbling mortar (see related question on how to remove), then point the…
Vebjorn Ljosa
  • 9,525
  • 17
  • 57
  • 85
16
votes
3 answers

Why did cracks form over the rebar grid in my concrete footings?

I am building a house and we just poured concrete 3 days ago and now it has some cracks, This is the footer with reinforcement : This is footer after pouring concrete : These are some cracks that we have now, some of them follow the shape of bars…
Madian Malfi
  • 303
  • 2
  • 8
15
votes
3 answers

How do I self-repair a section of crumbling basement wall, or should I hire a professional?

How do I self-repair a section of crumbling basement wall, or should I hire a professional? Background: How I discovered it: I removed some exposed blue foam insulation from my basement walls to comply with my home insurer's request (part of the…
user138192
14
votes
1 answer

What are the disadvantages of having electrical conduit penetrate my foundation below-grade?

I'm having an electrician wire a lamppost in the backyard. His initial proposal was to do something like this picture shows: (The diagram is from this article.) The conduit's rise from the ground and entry to the house would be in a prominent place…
ArgentoSapiens
  • 2,395
  • 12
  • 31
  • 43
13
votes
1 answer

How difficult is it to repair or replace a preserved wood foundation?

I am looking at buying a house that has a PWF (Preserved Wood Foundation) foundation. Though there are some benefits to having one there seems to be varying opinions on such a foundation. I'm wondering if anyone has had experience/issues with…
12
votes
2 answers

What should I keep in mind when building my house myself?

I inherited a piece of land and want to build a house on it. Nothing fancy: one floor, 2-3 rooms. Since I don't really have the money :D to build it "in one go", I'm going to build it over a longer period of time, bit by bit. Also, I want to build…
user9898
  • 121
  • 3
11
votes
6 answers

Concrete base for parcel box

I need to build a concrete base for a mail parcel box on the ground. The parcel box is 36.6cm deep, 49.6cm wide and 112.3 cm high. It weighs about 15kg. What size should the concrete base be? How is it best to fasten the parcel box the the concrete…
Mikki
  • 145
  • 9
10
votes
2 answers

Foundation for structure on bedrock

We have the mixed blessing of a giant swath of exposed Canadian Shield on our property in Ontario. Literally a big flat area of exposed rock, no soil whatsoever. Scale is hard to see, but a satellite view looks like this: In our area it has been…
user2152081
  • 329
  • 5
  • 13
10
votes
6 answers

Can I pour a concrete foundation in multiple pieces?

I'm building a 25-meter (65 foot) block retaining wall. The engineering specifications require a concrete foundation for the block wall equal to about 4 cubic metres (141 cubic feet) of concrete, with reinforcing bar/mesh throughout. This includes…
guest12345
  • 111
  • 1
  • 4
10
votes
2 answers

Can I run an underground wire to a shed on blocks?

I have a 12'x16' shed which has been leveled using concrete blocks but otherwise sits on the grass/dirt. It's about 100' from the house. I live in Georgia. I'd love to add some lights and outlets to it. Can I run an underground electrical wire to…
10
votes
4 answers

Leaving basement forms on permanently

I am having an addition built on my home with ~600 square foot basement underneath. Because one of the basement foundation walls is very near (~1 foot) from the original home foundation, the concrete contractor is planning to leave the basement…
Bill
  • 345
  • 3
  • 15
10
votes
1 answer

In a house fire, how hot does the foundation have to get before it too has to be replaced?

Not long after the Oakland Hills fire in the early 90's I was talking with a homeowner. I ignorantly said that at least he can still rebuild on the same foundation. He said that at about 2,000°F the rebar in the foundation gets hot enough to expand,…
BillDOe
  • 1,415
  • 1
  • 13
  • 23
1
2 3
50 51