Six Types of Home Foundations

The foundation of a home is its backbone and skeletal frame, holding up everything that is placed upon it. There are at least six types of foundations with two main types, poured and block concrete, which are created to protect homes from any possible environmental or pressure damage. Most homeowners may not think about their home’s foundation, especially the type of foundation and the structural weaknesses it may have. 

At N.V. Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, we have spent over 33 years providing basement waterproofing and home foundation repairs. Our years of experience in foundation inspection and repair have given us insight into the various types of foundations that homes have. Below, we list six  foundation types, as well as some of the pros and cons of each: 

Poured Concrete 

There are two main types of foundations: poured or block concrete. During the past 30 plus years, the vast majority of foundations have been poured concrete. This is a type of foundation that has the lateral strength to withstand the weight of a home and is able to resist more pressure from soil and water penetrating from the outside. Poured concrete walls are easier to waterproof thoroughly, too, as they have fewer spaces or joints than concrete block foundations. 

Concrete Block 

For several decades prior to the mass introduction of poured concrete walls, concrete block (CMU) foundations were the most common and are still used in some situations.  However, concrete block foundations are prone to bowing and buckling because of the joints that are present in between the blocks. Repair costs can be significant because you often have to rebuild a wall in its entirety. This may be due to water that develops within the block cavities, causing the foundation to weaken. Get in touch with our team at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair for solutions that you can rely on to ensure your foundation remains intact.

Other Types of Foundations

For homes over 50 years old, a small percentage of them have foundations other than poured or block. These foundation types include wood, stone, precast and monolithic foundations. Below, we discuss their features. 

Wood 

Wooden foundations, specifically pressure-treated, were used to some extent in the 1960s and earlier. They were easier, faster, and cheaper to use than stone or concrete foundations. They can be prone to decay, buckling, and bowing. 

Stone 

Stone foundations were considered the standard material for houses built prior to World War I because of their high compression strength, durability, and accessibility. When they are leveled and properly built, they are aesthetically pleasing. However, particularly when they are not built correctly, they can develop settlement issues, wall cracking, bowing, and water leakages. 

Precast Foundation

Precast foundations are the least expensive to construct. They are thinner, lighter in weight, and more resistant to fires, termites, dry rot, and damage from inclement weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes. In addition to that, they are low-maintenance and help homeowners maintain indoor comfort better. 

Monolithic Foundations

Similar to precast foundations, monolithic foundations are a type of poured foundation that is used very infrequently. Monolithic means “all-in-one pour”, which means that the foundation – footings and floor – are poured all at once. 

N.V. Waterproofing &  Foundation Repair: Reliable Foundation Repair  Services 

Having a basic understanding of your home’s foundation can help you plan ahead in order to prevent issues from arising later on. For example, considering that most homes in Virginia have basement foundations in them, it is easy to presume that most residents should consider having their foundations checked for water damage and promptly repaired if found. 

At N.V. Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, we devote ourselves to ensure your home is safe and that your property isn’t harmed from any damage to your foundation. We have spent over thirty years providing professional foundation repair, inspection, and waterproofing services to customers.  

Please contact us at 1-703-690-3889 for any questions, inquiries, and to get a free quote for our services.