A strong, high-quality foundation is the integral structural support on which your home is built. It provides insulation from the elements and is a water-resistant barrier to prevent moisture from entering your home. The pressure of heavy soils, groundwater, earth movement and tree roots should be no match for the permanent, durable foundation of your luxurious custom home.
Although it’s not something homeowners typically question, it’s important for you to understand the difference between a weak foundation and the high-quality foundation you can expect when you purchase a custom home.
Skilled Construction Methods
A reinforced foundation should be poured by concrete professionals with a form perfectly designed to fit the home and constructed with precise specifications. Each aspect of the surrounding soil and landscape should be analyzed as a part of the foundation’s design to ensure it will meet the needs of the structure.
The concrete then must be expertly poured in one session, and carefully cured over a period of several days to achieve maximum strength before the building process continues.
A Solid Result
The end result should be a solid, dry foundation that’s free of flaws, each angle should be perfectly plumb, level and the backfill should provide excellent water drainage to prevent water from sitting against the exterior walls.
When water is allowed to pool around your foundation, it can create structural problems and moisture damage - especially if it is not constructed of superior materials. Every detail should be considered by your custom home building team to ensure the foundation is as structurally sound as possible.
Waterproofing Your Foundation
In the next, and one of the most important parts of the foundation process, a water-resistant membrane should then be added to ensure water will not compromise the walls. For example, Watchdog Waterproofing by Tremco Barrier Solutions is a reliable, flexible membrane designed to provide an impenetrable layer to your foundation.
As a polymer modified asphalt emulsion, it’s a high-performing product with a ten-year warranty. A simple spray application will ensure that your foundation is solid and waterproof for the benefit and longevity of your custom home.
The Benefits of a Waterproofing Membrane
Concrete is a porous material, even when perfectly constructed with high-quality materials. Water is easily absorbed into concrete that’s not waterproofed. In the cold climate of Alberta, the foundation is especially at risk; when freezing moisture expands, it can cause concrete to fracture, chip, and crack. A waterproofing membrane is especially important for this reason.
A high-quality waterproofing membrane offers the following benefits:
- keeps water out of your home and eliminates the possibility of a damaging freeze-thaw cycle
- the seamless spray-on application eliminates the possibility of leaks
- the thick membrane seals any cracks or flaws in the concrete to ensure a waterproof surface
- high-quality waterproofing membranes remain flexible, even in freezing temperatures
- the strong membrane resists the force of underground hydrostatic pressure
Inferior Foundation Problems
A foundation that’s weak, improperly cured or leaks water can cause many severe structural problems for a home over time. Winter storms, rainwater or leaking gutters can cause devastating home flooding when foundations are not thoroughly waterproofed and structurally sound. Moisture issues and sagging floors are a problem in older homes with inferior foundations, and avoiding future repairs is just one of the benefits of choosing a high-end custom home.
Custom Homes with Quality Foundation
For a high-end custom home, a superior foundation is imperative to ensure your home is sound and secure for many years. When the foundation of your new custom home is made with high-quality materials and waterproofed with a superior membrane, you can rest easy knowing your custom home is strong and secure.
Calgary’s long winters are no problem when your home is built with expertise and high-quality products.
When you make the choice to purchase a high-end custom home, there are many upgraded options you will enjoy as a result of your purchase. Although it’s often a factor that’s not considered when choosing a home, it’s a part of your investment, and it will have a huge impact on the comfort and durability you can expect from your new home. No feature is more important than an upgraded foundation to provide your home with a sturdy, moisture-free base and structural support for your home that will remain strong for many years.
