Thursday, July 26, 2018

Guidelines For Constructing A Wells Maine Concrete Foundation

By George Smith


A homeowner can handle construction of a new foundation without necessarily involving a professional. Such tasks are done when one wants to build a new extension to his or her house. You must be very careful with the considerations you make since the stability of your foundation can affect the integrity of your building. Here are factors to consider while building a Wells Maine concrete foundation.

Acknowledge the type of foundation to construct. The kind of footing to create is determined by the soil composition of your target area and the position of your building. Places which has loose soil or are hilly require a deep foundation. On the other hand, areas with a hard surface and are level require a shallow footing. Besides that, temporary structures require a shallow footing while complex one requires a deep one.

Set up a budget. It is recommendable to have a budget when undertaking a project to avoid unnecessary spending. In this case, your financial plans should consider all the materials and aspects required in this process. Therefore, consider materials such as cement, gravel, and sand. The budget is also expected to include capital to hire a mixer and a builder if the homeowner cannot manage to handle the task.

Dig up the area you intend to set up the slab. Hire an excavator to handle the digging process and to ensure that it is done within a short period. Ensure that the hole has a width which is three times that of the slab. Such considerations are made to allow enough clearance which you can use while pouring the mixture. Compress the soil with a compactor and add gravel or sand inside it to enhance its drainage.

Lay a barrier and the frames. Barriers are necessary for a concrete understructure since they prevent moisture from sipping through the footing. The barrier is made using mesh and polythene paper. The polythene paper is also important since it reduces the possibility of radon sipping through the floor. The frames should be built along the area in which the slab will be made. Use straight wood to make sure that the slab is even.

Mix and pour the entire slab. You should consider using a mixer to mix concrete to use less time and ensure that it is done accordingly. Place the mixture close to the framing to reduce the time and energy used while carrying the concrete around. Pour the mixture using a wheelbarrow or shovel depending on the choice which seems to be convenient. After that, level your slab using a trowel.

Complete the understructure using the right procedures. The slab is supposed to be left for quite some time to ensure that it dries completely. Remove the forms after twenty-four hours when you are certain it has dried off. Keep the footing wet for quite some days to prevent cracking. Soak it in water twice or thrice daily depending on the hotness in your area. Cover the slab with a polythene cover to avoid contact with rain which can cause depression leaving it uneven.

Seek professional help. You should consider the intervention of a professional expert to handle this task if you cannot manage to handle it accordingly. Choose a professional who is experienced, have the right tools and affordable pricing as well.




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