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Foundations The foundation distributes the structures load to the ground. Foundation walls are usually concrete, concrete block, or wood and are found in structure with a basement or crawl space. The foundations used typically depend on climate, soil characteristics, building load, and water table. The foundation footing should extend 12” below grade or below the frost line. The finished grade should be a minimum of 8” from the top of the foundation wall (6” below wood siding, 4” below brick veneer). The foundation must be checked in a residential inspection. Foundation settlement can cause internal stresses can weaken a structure. Differential settlement produces unsightly cracks in floors, exterior walls and ceilings; it will cause unlevel floors, roof leaks and inoperable doors and windows and will affect plumbing. Most structures experience some settlement. While most foundation problems can be corrected, repair work is usually expensive. Soil is an important factor in drainage evaluation. Soil functions as a storage medium for water. Water moves through the soil in the following ways: infiltration, the downward movement of water into soil: Percolation, the soils ability to absorb water: and drainage, the proper removal of water from root systems and foundations. Water flow has a direct effect on the structural integrity of the systems, durability of materials, schedule and construction cost, and maintenance cost. The outside perimeter of the foundation must be kept at a uniform moisture level. The ground should be graded to a gentle slope away from the foundation. Ideally, the slope should be 1” to 5” in 8’. Regardless of the type of soil, drainage is one of the most important concerns next to proper footings and foundation. Without proper drainage, the subsurface water can build up tremendous pressure underground (typically referred to as hydrostatic pressure). In many geographic areas, the minimum drainage for any structure is a perimeter footing drain. Depending on soil conditions, some buildings will require an under ground drain system and/or sump pit with an ejector pump (sump pump). Gutters and downspouts divert water away from the foundation. Gutter extensions should direct the water away from the structure and property.
A quality Foundation inspection will include a visual inspection of:
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