Basement foundation

Good morning, I would like to finish up the little series on foundations. Today is basement day. This is a very elusive type foundation in Texas, but up in the northern states it is very common. Why is this you may ask. Cost is most likely the reason. Up north it is much more feasible to use a basement foundation, since you need to dig down below the frost line to get a good solid footing. In Texas we do not have a frost line, that I am aware of, and the cost of excavating down for a basement just does fit in most home building budgets. The basement itself is very complex though it looks simple. most see a wall and floor. Though you do see these, what you don’t see is the structural side of the build. What is going to keep the walls from falling inward, or what keeps the rain water out. These 2 questions plus a million others may pop into one’s head about basements. Just keep in mind it serves the same purpose as slab on grade and pier on beam foundations. Transferring the load of the house to the soil. The build above the basement foundation is pretty similar after you get above the basement walls.

This wraps up my little series on foundations. If there is a topic you would like me touch on about a home or home inspection shoot me a message, or call me. As always, we are here for you. Please call us with any of your inspection needs, or if you just simply have a question.