- Is a poured concrete foundation better than
block foundation?
- What are important factors when considering a
poured concrete foundation contractor?
- How easy is it to fix a poured foundation if
there is a water problem?
- Is a brick pattern available?
- What insulation options do you offer to
increase energy efficiency?
- Do you offer extended warranties?
- Do you pour foundations year-round?
- Why is a strong foundation especially
important in southeastern Wisconsin?
- Do you offer ICF Foundations?
1) Is a poured concrete foundation better
than block foundation?
Yes, it is stronger and drier! The forces a car
puts per square inch on a driveway is similar to what mother nature puts on
your basement walls during winter frost and fall and spring rainy seasons. You
would not think twice about parking your car on a 4" or
5" concrete surface. However, you would think twice about parking
it on hollow core concrete block. Your poured foundation walls are twice as
thick which only demonstrates its great strength. Block is also very porous.
Your basement acts something like an inverted swimming pool. Instead of keeping
the water in you are keeping the water out of the basement. Never would anyone
consider using block to build a pool. Yet, people build block basements all the
time. Solid concrete is the right material for this structural application.
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2) What are important factors when
considering a poured concrete foundation contractor?
You must look at
their experience, and ask questions regarding the adjustments made for pouring
walls in the different seasons. The strength and variations of the concrete mix
should be adjusted throughout the year, so you should look for a contractor
with an extensive knowledge of this practice. Your contractor should utilize
admixtures, blanket the walls during the winter months, and should have a close
relationship with its concrete suppliers.
The use of both vertical and
horizontal steel should be considered. The proper steel reinforcement reduces
the chance and severity of shrinkage cracks, and also adds the tensile strength
that concrete lacks.
You should also choose a contractor that is at the
forefront of his peers in both business and technology. If your foundation
contractor is not around in the future your chance of getting technical help
later is very marginal. Also, if the equipment and business looks professional,
you will likely receive a professionally handled job.
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3) How easy is it to fix a poured
foundation if there is a water problem?
It is very easy, and can be
done from inside the basement. A high pressured epoxy is forced into the
problem crack and over time the epoxy will be stronger than the foundation
itself. If done correctly, no excavations or disruptions to the existing
landscape are required.
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4) Is a brick pattern available?
Yes, you have your choice of either having the pattern on the inside or
the outside of your foundation.
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5) What insulation options do you offer to
increase energy efficiency?
Up to 40% of a home's energy
loss can come from the top of the foundation wall if left uninsulated. Because
of this, we recommend running insulation from the top of the wall down to the
footings. To protect the above-grade insulation, we use a product called the
Horizon Foundation Finishing System. It is very durable, waterproof, and has an
attractive finish. You should always insulate on the exterior of the
foundation; insulating only the interior of the foundation can cause
condensation problems.
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6) Do you offer extended warranties?
Yes. If you choose to waterproof your basement with TUFF-N-DRI, you will receive an
extended warranty. Both 15 and 30-year warranty options are available. The warranties are transferable and performance-based.
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7) Do you pour foundations year-round?
Yes. We can pour concrete foundations successfully down to
20 degrees below zero.
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8 ) Why is a strong foundation especially
important in southeastern Wisconsin?
The soils in southeastern Wisconsin
vary greatly throughout the region. Free draining soil found in western
Waukesha County is rated at 45 pounds per cubic foot (PCF). This is the number
used in the calculation for the poured concrete foundation wall per code.
Partially composed of clay, the soils in eastern Waukesha, northwestern Racine,
and western Milwaukee County is rated at 60 PCF. This soil is somewhat
compressive and will place a 33% greater load on the foundation wall than a 45
PCF soil. The heavy clay soils found in parts of Walworth, Dodge, Washington,
eastern Milwaukee, and eastern Kenosha counties are mostly compressive and will
exhibit a 75% greater load on the foundation than the 45 PCF soils. Without the
use of vertical steel reinforcement, foundations built in areas with soils
exceeding 45 PCF will most likely fail over time.
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9 ) Do you offer ICF Foundations?
No, we do not offer ICF foundations. However, we do offer what we consider to be a better alternative. We call this our Super Insulated Foundation. This allows you to have the energy saving benefits of an ICF without having to sacrifice foundation strength.
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