5 Mistakes in Foundation Pouring


Building a house foundation requires precise coordination between specialists and adherence to quality and precision requirements. To ensure the quality of installation work meets reliability and safety requirements, let's look at the 5 most common mistakes made when pouring a foundation.

1. Poor preparation of the foundation and the underlying soil

Plant debris will eventually rot, causing foundation deformation. As the house continues to operate, the foundation will begin to settle, resulting in cracks in the foundation and load-bearing walls.

To prevent this, the building site is carefully cleared of roots, rocks, plants, and various debris.

2. Incorrect choice of concrete grade

Sometimes, in an effort to save money, builders choose cheaper cement options, which can cause the foundation to crumble, deform, and gradually deteriorate under low temperatures. This can eventually lead to the collapse of the house.

For pouring, use cement that meets frost resistance and strength requirements.

3. Insufficient reinforcement

Insufficient reinforcement is a common cause of poor foundation quality. Incorrect placement of reinforcement elements or insufficient quantity can lead to foundation failure or deformation. Cracks will begin to appear on the surface within the first few years of use. Over time, these cracks will widen further under the influence of temperature fluctuations, frost, and moisture.

Steel reinforcement is an essential component of a concrete structure. It is used to increase the strength of the foundation.

4. Incorrect timing of pouring

The optimal season for pouring a foundation is considered to be between late spring and early summer. During this time, the ideal temperature range for such work is +15…+25°C. When the temperature is just 5 degrees lower, concrete strength gain slows by 3-5 times. With the onset of hot weather, concrete dries much faster, but at the same time, it loses excessive moisture and elasticity. This is another reason for its insufficient strength. To slow the rate of concrete strength gain, certain measures are taken: wrapping the concrete in plastic wrap and regularly watering it.

5. Lack of formwork or creating it from scrap

Due to low-grade formwork materials, soil will constantly crumble from the edges of the trench and end up in the mortar. This causes large cracks to appear in the concrete. Consequently, its quality and strength are reduced, leading to rapid foundation deterioration.

Therefore, the correct and precise execution of all stages of foundation pouring guarantees the strength and durability of the building.

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