The high quality of the foundations depends on several factors. The most important of these is the correct design. It should primarily focus on soil properties, such as its density, humidity, compressibility and consistency. Other equally important factors include the groundwater levels and, in the case of certain types of substrates, the depth of frost lines. We should also remember about appropriate expansion joints in the foundations and high quality reinforcements. For this reasons it is worth to commission the house design to an experienced professional, who will surely take all the above mentioned factors into account. The project should also include the right type of concrete. It’s best to entrust its preparation to a reputable and proven company that will not only select the correct proportions of the individual components but also thoroughly mix them, bring the concrete to the construction site and will then pour it in the trenches. Sometimes a layer of lean bedding concrete should be poured underneath the proper strip foundations, which should also be included in the project. Water should never be added to the poured layer. It should however be vibrated using special equipment, which will remove trapped air, thicken the mix and increase its strength. Additives that increase the concrete’s resistance to humidity and low temperatures are also often used. Some types of composites do not require vibrating because they include special polymers that unify the consistency of the concrete. Properly poured concrete tightly adheres to the form work and the reinforcement and properly laid foundations reduce the likelihood of wall cracking.
