What Makes a Strong Foundation for Your Home

Published on: 17 November 2017 Last Updated on: 19 August 2019
Strong Foundation for Your Home

They say, for a home, the foundation is just as important as the feet and legs are to us, humans. Be it your home or a high rise; the foundation is what everything rests on. Therefore, getting the foundation right is what ensures a sound and stable building for many years to come.

But how do you ensure a strong foundation for your home or building? Well, it’s a lot more than digging up a hole and pouring concrete. From piers to spread footings, and pilings, strong foundations can be built in a number of ways. Enlisted below are the key factors that you must understand for building a strong foundation for your home.

Consider the Soil Type

Regardless of the foundation type you use for your home, the foundation and footing are designed to support the weight of your home. Now, how well it supports your home depends on what type of soil the foundation is resting on.

For instance, if you are working with dry or dense soil, it is less likely to settle after the house has been built while if the site has wet or soft clay, the foundation is much likely to settle in an effective way.

Make sure you evaluate the soil before deciding the type of foundation so that there are no moisture retention issues in the future.

Keep the Foundation Dry

Most of the construction materials are not waterproof. The surface water tends to seep inside the walls and leads to a big interior problem. It does not matter which foundation type you prefer, but the damp space will lead to high growth of fungus and mildew.

For a strong foundation, make sure that the waterproof coating is brushed on the outside of the foundation. A perforated pipe is placed around the perimeter so that it can catch extra water and drain it away. Also, construction experts recommend building the house above a grade so that water gets drained away itself.

Strong Foundation for Your Home

Make Use of Screw Piling

One of the best methods to lay down a deep and strong foundation is using screw piles. Screw piles can be used under the footings to ensure that the foundations do not shake if the ground moves.

The installation time is just 6-15 minutes per pile, and the homes can be built directly on to it. Engineers highly recommend helical screw piles for ensuring strong foundations. Screw piles experts in Sydney can help you leverage the technique for building strong and stable foundations.

Keep an Eye on Minor Cracks

The key to a strong foundation is to fix all the minor cracks that occur during the time of construction.

Small hairline cracks can be fixed easily. But, if the crack is narrow or has a bigger configuration-it indicates that the foundation has an uneven setting.

The most troublesome crack is the ‘horizontal crack,’ which means there is a major structural failure in the entire wall. Whether vertical or horizontal, keep an eye on all the cracks so that an even and a strong foundation is built for your home.

Strong Foundation for Your Home

Use Proper Detailing

While designing and building a secure, stable, and a trouble-free haven, use the proper detailing so that no glitches and blips trouble you later on.  Not all issues are part of a foundational problem, but the proper investigation is necessary for the longevity and strength of your foundation.

Getting the footings and foundation right will go a long way in ensuring a secure and stable building for the years to come

Read More: 
  1. Safety Triangle: Three Things Your Soon-To-Be House Must Have
  2. 5 Myths About Roofing Services To Avoid
  3. DC Metro Area Real Estate Update
  4. How Real Estate Factors Into Business Decisions
  5. Buying Your First Home In St. Louis
  6. Why You Must Embrace Green Home Technologies?

 

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Selling a Property

Benefits of Working with a Realtor When Selling a Property

Selling a property is a very complex transaction, especially if you are selling your home. From setting the right price, to advertise the property, presenting it to potential buyers, and finally closing the deal, this process is very time-consuming, and it can cost you a lot of money. This is where a good realtor comes in handy, as they take care of most of the work, without requiring any assistance from your part. Moreover, a good realtor can actually get you a much better deal than you had ever hoped for. So, if you are still not convinced that the 3% commission is worth it, keep on reading to learn the main benefits of working with a realtor when selling a home. List at the right price : When you sell your home on your own, your only option is to compare other similar properties that are currently on sale and estimate how much your own property is worth. There are also online tools that you can use to estimate your property, but most of them are very inaccurate. On the other hand, a good realtor with local experience will tell you from the start how much your property is worth. Sure, you can ask for more than what they advise, but even in this scenario, the realtor can help by telling you approximately how long it will take to find a buyer willing to pay the demanded price, or whether or not you have any chances of selling at all. Marketing expertise : A good marketing plan should include more than just some online adds. Realtors will expose your property to the general public, but also to other agents through multiple listing services. This means that there will be other agents that could bring in potential buyers. If you don’t want your property to advertise the property, a good realtor will have valuable contacts that can make the deal happen as privately as possible. For example, say you wanted to sell an expensive property in the West Hollywood Real Estate market. You would have to work with a reputable dealer, whose network includes celebrities and wealthy investors. Moreover, a good realtor can also provide you with better home presentations. Since most of them also work with buyers, they know what small presentation details usually make a positive impact on potential buyers. Security : When selling a home on your own, you need to take a lot of precautions to ensure your safety. Bringing strangers into your home can be very dangerous, especially when it comes to private presentations. Keep in mind that not everybody will have the availability to attend open house events, so you will often have to bring potential buyers at home in the evening or early in the morning. However, if you work with a realtor, you don’t have to worry about these problems, as they will take care of screening the candidates, and they will handle all the presentations on their own. Negotiating and closing experience : First of all, the negotiation process is very tough, and inexperienced sellers can often be fooled into lowering their price on account of small damages. An experienced agent, on the other hand, will stand their ground, and they will know how to highlight a property’s advantages, in order to balance its disadvantages. Moreover, they will also take care of all the paperwork, including the written offers and counteroffers. If potential buyers ask for repairs, the realtor can tell you whether or not it is convenient for you to satisfy their demands. As a seller, your judgment will be clouded by subjective reasons, but you can count on your agent to be objective and protect your interests at all times. Expert advice : Whether or not you are a first-time seller, this type of transaction is a significant financial decision, so it pays to have an expert on your side to guide you through this process. There are countless details that can cost you money when dealing with the process of selling a property. You might save a little money if you handle it on your own, but you will increase the risk of encountering problems that could cause you to waste a lot more money than the realtor’s commission. Read Also : 6 Things You Must Know Before Selling Your Home How To Sell Your House Fast?! Five Must-Know Tips To Move Your Property! Buying Or Selling A Home In Seattle?

READ MOREDetails
Vermont Mortgage Loan

Things to Know Before Applying for a Vermont Mortgage Loan

First-time homeowners may be intimidated by the process of purchasing a home. It's not always straightforward to keep track of the stages, the individuals involved, and the resources required to become a homeowner. It's a good idea to acquaint yourself with the method before plunging in headlong. Preparing for a Lender and Selecting a Vermont Mortgage Loan As soon as you're ready to buy a home, it's critical to have some basic knowledge to make the process go smoothly. Find a mortgage lender first. Mortgage lenders provide loans. As a mortgage shopper, you have many options. You can go local or online. You can also choose the type of loan you get. Finding the right lender can be difficult if you've never bought a home before. Before looking for a mortgage lender, you should know what type of loan you want. First, decide whether you want an adjustable or fixed-rate mortgage. It would help if you also considered the loan's duration. The term of the loan determines the interest rate. Pay off the loan as quickly as you can. If you know how long you want to pay back your loan, you can find a lender who offers it. Once you know what you want, you can start searching. Pick a Mortgage Option There are generally three sorts of loans available: i. Private vs. Government Loans The great majority of mortgages in the United States are originated by savings organizations, banks, and mortgage lenders. If you make a down payment of less than 20% on the property, the lender is likely to require you to buy mortgage insurance (PMI). This insurance may be paid in full at closing or rolled into the loan. VA loans do not require mortgage insurance, but they are only available to qualified veterans. Mortgage insurance protects the lender to some extent when a borrower defaults on a loan. FHA and VA loans are distinct from conventional loans in that the government does not lend the money directly but rather guarantees (or insures) repayment to the lender in the case of default. Because government loans require a lower down payment and usually have a lower interest rate or points, they provide a variety of significant advantages over conventional loans. Unlike private loans, which are not subject to these limitations, government loans take longer to process, have higher closing costs, and have a lower maximum loan amount. Many government loans also require that the property being bought be in reasonable condition, which precludes the purchase of a "fixer-upper." ii. New vs. Assumable Loans Certain types of loans, such as FHA and VA loans, and some adjustable-rate loans, may be eligible for rollover. This means that a new owner may assume an existing debt under the same terms as the previous one. In some instances, obtaining a loan may save both money and time. Typically, the buyer pays an assumption fee at closing to cover the lender's costs for completing the deal. iii. Variable vs. Fixed Rate Loans Fixed-rate loans come with a fixed interest that lasts for the loan duration. In other words, your monthly payment will remain constant unless escrowed taxes and insurance premiums vary. Interest rates and monthly payments on adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) can fluctuate over time. These mortgages typically offer lower interest rates, lower monthly payments, and fewer fees and points than fixed-rate mortgages, making them an attractive option for first-time homebuyers, younger couples whose incomes are expected to grow in the future, and individuals who may lack the necessary funds for a down payment and closing costs. Determine the Lender Type Having a basic understanding of the different types of lenders is helpful when comparing financiers. First, there are mortgage lenders employed by banks or other organizations responsible for setting the loan terms and the repayment schedule and costs. "Direct lenders" are also known as "retail lenders." Instead of going through an intermediary, they directly sell their mortgage products to customers. Loans made by correspondent lenders are originated and funded by them, but they are sold to larger lending institutions as soon as they are completed. As an intermediary between lenders and customers, mortgage brokers act on behalf of their clients. Commissions are not owned by either the borrower or the lender. Loan brokers can tailor lenders and loan programs to your specific needs. You might be able to negotiate lower interest rates and terms with several different lenders with their help. Documents Required for a Vermont Mortgage Loan Keeping track of one's finances is advantageous. To expedite and streamline the pre-approval process, ensure that you have all of your financial information organized. If your documentation is well-organized and readily available to lenders, you'll be able to get a loan more quickly. These are some of the most common documents that most financiers will need: W-2 forms for the previous two (2) tax years A copy of the agreement or contract for the purchase and sale is required. (If you already have a deal in place with the vendors, Pay stubs for the last thirty (30) days. If you only have one, that will suffice for the time being. The most recent 401(k), IRA, or mutual fund transaction is summarized. If you cannot locate these, provide the lender with an estimate of your non-liquid assets, and they will work with that. Photo identification Two of the most recent monthly bank statements in their entirety Provide the last two years of corporate returns, including K1s, if you are self-employed through a corporation. For self-employed borrowers, commission-based salespeople, and landlords, most lenders require federal tax returns for the last two years, including all schedules. The only thing standing between you and your first home might be the Vermont mortgage loan process, which can be overwhelming if you’ve never purchased a house before. It would be best to have reliable and trustworthy guidance to help you navigate the housing market. You want a lending institution, like New England Federal Credit Union, that puts a team to work for you. Be sure you have experienced Vermont mortgage loan experts on your side, from application to closing, for peace of mind and assurance that you’re getting the home you love. Read Also: Things to know before buying a new house Everything You Need To Know About A Post Office And Its Services When Is The HAMP Program Beneficial To You? 10 Ways a Low Credit Score Can Negatively Impact Your Life

READ MOREDetails
Sold Your Home

What To Leave Behind Once You Have Sold Your Home

You have finally put your home for sale on the real estate market and now you are just looking for a potential yet promising buyer to purchase your home. As the seller of the property, you are likely to look forward to agreeing to future inspections and issues that need to be fixed before officially selling the property but if you have hired professional housekeeping services then your property will be spotless by the time the new owner comes around. When people finally reach the closing process, most of them don’t know what to leave behind or not leave behind exactly, but help is on its way through this article that will ensure you all that needs to be left behind and what you need to take with you so that you won’t have to face any stressful situations that you might deal with from either you or the potential buyers. What Should Be Left Behind The Keys To The Property When it comes to closing day, the first thing that should be left behind are obviously the keys, while most new homeowners will probably make a new lock and have a new set of keys, they will also appreciate having obviously as a sign of respect because if you only have one set of keys it is best to suggest to the new homeowner that visiting a locksmith is an option if they want to make sets of keys. If you have your realtor under your services then you can give your realtor the keys on closing day and let them handle this situation for you so you won’t have to deal with the potential buyer himself/herself. As a responsible homeowner who has now sold his home to a new couple or a family, there are many things, which you can do to help them. Firstly, any new homeowner would like to change the old locks of the house. This is where a central coast locksmith can help them change the locks to the entire household. This can give the new family complete peace of mind knowing that they are the only ones that have the keys to different areas of the house. They can store their possessions safely and secure the premises at all times. A Folder That Contains Manuals And Warranties For Your Appliances Keep in mind that once a buyer has purchased the household, they have also purchased all the appliances that are included inside as well. It would be best to leave behind all the user manuals for these home appliances and if you have a warranty or guarantee from a recent appliance that you recently bought, would be definitely useful to have as well. It would be best for the future owner to have all these documents in case they have to operate, repair, or maintain some appliances, they wouldn’t have to go through any hassles. Features Included In The Household Chances are when you bought this property yourself, is that there are things that came affixed with the property itself such as certain kinds of hardware, curtains, shelves, kitchenware, and light fixtures and blinds. Unless you have bought these things and possibly might need them for the new place that you are planning to purchase/rent then it is best to leave these home features behind for the new owners to use and enjoy as well. Things like remote controls should obviously be left behind for the new owners as you don’t want to leave your property with any questions being asked. Try to label each remote control in case it is not obvious which one is for which electronic appliances such as ceiling fans, lights, televisions, and much more. Believe it or not, home automation systems that are used as home’s smart features can actually be one of the things that made your potential buyer be appealed by the property so it is best to keep them where you are but if you paid a hefty price for them, it’s best to put this in the contract and have it be said during negotiations so that you don’t make any losses along the way that are not necessary. It has been researched that Smart Home products actually increase the property value by almost five percent by just owning home automation, so if you are getting it customized and built-in within the property, then it is best to leave it behind and ask for the price that would seem reasonable for you. Pool Supplies Does your property have its own swimming pool? If this is the case then it is best to leave all your accessories and pool supplies for the new owner. It will also be a great idea to leave any kind of directions, manual, or assist with any information regarding how to maintain and keep the pool or spa area clean as possible and who to contact if you have someone doing it for you as well. Landscaping If you have your own backyard or natural garden that you purchased and came with the property, most of these places have the plants, shrubs, and trees already affixed to the property and will remain with the household regardless of how much you would like to miss them. The only option that you have is the case that if you want to take the removable pots that have flowers and plants inside which won’t be a hassle in taking and moving away with you. There are things such as equipment within the garden such as chairs, tables, swings, and even a grill, which can all be seen as personal belongings so it would be better to take it with you unless you don’t find any value in them anymore and consider just leaving them behind for the future owner of the property to either use or throw out themselves. Take Your Emotions Out Of The House Last but not least, the most important thing to do is to take all your personal belongings with you and do everything to depersonalize your property so at least that potential buyers can imagine themselves there when you have emptied out the place. Just think of it this way, if you have all your stuff currently still at your homes such as family photos and stuff that comes with sentimental value, the potential buyer will only see your house and not the house on sale pretty much because they won’t be able to see themselves living there because they can only see you and your belongings among the place. Consider hiring a professional who will be able to stage your home and to maximize profits. Read Also: The Guide to Understanding Your Home Value 8 Smart House Upgrades that are Totally Worth the Money How to sell your house fast? Five must-know tips to move your property!

READ MOREDetails