In today’s blog post, our concrete experts are walking you through the process of pouring a new foundation. It’s a big job, and it’s important that it’s done right since the foundation is what supports your entire home (and everyone in it). Continue reading to learn more, and if you’re in need of concrete leveling or foundation repair for your current foundation, contact  A-1 Concrete Leveling & Foundation Repair in Nashville.

Step 1: Evacuation

Before a foundation can be poured, an excavator must dig a hole. The hole must be bigger than the area of the foundation in order to accommodate the team that will be pouring your new foundation. The contractor will determine the type of foundation the building will have, as well as how deep the foundation will need to be dug. This all depends on the type of soil, particularly the moisture levels in the soil. 

Step 2: Pour The Footings

After the hole is dug, the first things that are poured are the footings. A footing is the bottom part of a foundation upon which the foundation can be supported. They are created using forms, which are placed on undisturbed ground. Forms are wooden or resin-ply supports that the concrete is poured into. The foundation’s footing is always wider than the concrete walls and a number of smaller footings will be poured to support various posts within the home. These will be inside the square/rectangle of the foundation.

Step 3: Pour The Walls

Before pouring the walls, we’ll take the forms that were used for pouring the footings off and let the concrete fully dry and cure. Then, we’ll set up forms that will hold the concrete for the walls of the foundation.  

Step 4: Stripping Walls

The forms are taken off the concrete walls and the concrete is left to fully dry and cure. If the concrete is not cured properly, it won’t have the strength necessary to hold up the house.

Step 5: Waterproofing 

The next step is to waterproof the foundation, which will prevent water from seeping into your basement through the foundation. A product is applied to the foundation, which ensures a dry basement unless the foundation is cracked, in which case you will need foundation repair.

Step 6: Install and Insulate Drainage Pipes

Drainage pipes are a vital part of keeping your foundation dry and helping prevent foundation damage. The drainage pipe will be installed and insulated to prevent any potential cracks caused by the freeze-thaw cycle.

Step 7: Pour Concrete Subfloor & Backfilling 

After the foundation is complete, the subfloor will be poured and the area around your foundation will be backfilled with soil. This soil will be graded so that water runs away from the home, protecting your basement from water damage. 

Foundation Repair Experts – Nashville

We hope that learning about how new foundations are poured helped make the process of building a new home less intimidating!  When you hire A-1 Concrete Leveling & Foundation Repair, you can trust that we’ll do everything we can to ensure your foundation is in good shape! Contact us today for a free estimate on foundation repairs.

If you found this post to be useful, check out a few of our other foundation repair blog posts:

• 10 Areas Of Your Home To Check For Signs Of Foundation Problems
• Foundation Cracks: What They Mean and What to Do
• Your Foundation Problems: Resources for All You Need to Know