What Type of Foundation Does Your Home Have?

Understanding the Type of Foundation You Have Can Help You Protect It.

Have you ever wondered what type of foundation your home has? Maybe you have been asked by a contractor when setting up a free estimate. Maybe you’re trying a D.I.Y. fix (which we do not recommend because you might be covering up the real problem!). Whatever the reason, you need to know what type of foundation your home has. Let’s learn about a few of the different types of foundations that your home might have.

Basement

One of the most recognizable types of foundations that your home might have is a basement. A basement will have a stairway leading down into it, and it will usually have a few rooms. Basements are dug into the ground, and then foundation walls are erected in that space. When the workers are done, they will fill the area beside the home leftover with backfill. This backfill can cause problems with waterproofing. Whether your basement is finished, semi-finished, or unfinished will usually have to do with the age of the home. Some older homes may have unfinished dirt basements. It would be extremely beneficial to finish these types of basements and get waterproofing to make sure that your basement is safe from moisture and mold. Other problems you might encounter in the basement are bowing walls, cracks in the foundation, and waterproofing issues.

Crawl space

Another very recognizable type of foundation is a crawlspace. If your home does not have a basement, it likely has a crawlspace (or is a slab foundation–which we will get to next!). A crawlspace is a small area underneath the home that can be used for storage. However, many people have unfinished crawlspaces. Unfinished crawl spaces can be a great hiding spot for animals, moisture and standing water, and other problems. Finishing a crawlspace can save you money on utility bills, improve your air quality in the home, and get rid of waterproofing problems.

Slab Foundation

Lastly, a slab foundation is a poured slab with a footing that supports the home. There is no basement or crawl space. These types of foundations are found most times in the Southern half of the United States. This is because basements would be below sea level and quickly fill up with water. Slab foundations can be cracked, or tilted from settlement issues. You may notice sloping floors in your home if this type of foundation is damaged.

Need Foundation Repair?

Call the experts at Tar Heel Foundation Solutions. We will perform a free estimate of your foundation, and get to the root of the problem. We’ll give you an idea of what’s going on, an estimate of the cost, and get you scheduled to fix it up. Contact us today for more information on our foundation repair services or to get scheduled for a free estimate.