What Is A Concrete Foundation Wall?
What Is A Concrete Foundation Wall?
A concrete foundation wall is a masonry or concrete wall below the ground level. These walls are the primary structural support for your home. This implies they are critical to the overall construction of your home. A usable basement’s enclosure is also formed by foundation walls.
Foundation walls not only serve as the foundation of your home, but they can also cause basement leaks. When the weather changes and your house settles, the foundation might shift, causing fissures.
It is important to be aware of the condition of your internal foundation wall in order to detect any changes that occur. Don’t put off fixing any leaks or fractures in your foundation wall.
How Do You Build A Concrete Pier Foundation?
A concrete-pier foundation is made up of holes that are dug down to the frost line and then filled with poured concrete. Prior to pouring the concrete, the holes are lined with spherical fiber-form tubes to facilitate the procedure. Here’s how to create a concrete-pier foundation:
Step 1: Lay The Groundwork.
When constructing a concrete-pier foundation, careful planning is essential. You’ll need to know the size of your shed to figure out where it should go and how many piers you’ll need. Larger sheds will require additional piers, especially if heavy equipment will be stored. It is preferable to have too many piers than not enough.
Step 2: Prepare The Location.
For the frost line depth in your location, contact your local building department. Dig the holes at least 24 inches deep if you reside in a warm climate with a very shallow frost line depth. Choose a location for your shed.
Step 3: Draw A Border.
Using pegs and twine, outline the shed’s perimeter. Mark each junction so that you know where to dig each pier.
Step 4: Excavate The Pier Holes.
It is critical to obey the code for your location regarding the depth of the holes. Each hole should be roughly two inches wider than the fiber-form tubes. Fill each hole with approximately 4 inches of gravel. With a long 44-post, compact the gravel.
Step 5: Get The Fiber-Form Tubes Ready.
Fiber-form tubes are available in a variety of diameters. The diameters of the tubes range from 6 to 36 inches, and they are usually available in lengths of up to 12 feet. When required, use a handsaw, jigsaw, or circular saw to trim the tubes to the desired height.
Make sure each protrudes at least 6 inches above the ground. The tops of all the tubes must, of course, be level with one another.
Step 6: Install The Tubes.
Place the tubes in the holes and use a 4-foot level to check they are absolutely plumb before backfilling with dirt.
Step 7: Mix The Concrete And Pour It.
Mix the pre-mixed concrete with water until the materials are thoroughly hydrated and smooth. Fill the piers with concrete, level the top with a trowel, and then insert a zinc-galvanized post base into the center of each pier. Stretch a thread down the piers to ensure that all of the post tops are exactly aligned.
Step 8: Allow The Concrete To Cure.
Allow the concrete to air-cure for several days after filling each fiber-form tube. And sprinkle them with water every day to slow down the curing process.
Cover the area with plastic sheeting or a tarp to block the water from evaporating. The longer the concrete cures, the more durable it becomes.
