The strength of a home begins at the bottom; subsurface investigation by our soil engineers determines the load bearing capacity of the earth on your site. This information is then analyzed by our structural engineer to determine the size of the poured in place foundation. When questionable soil conditions exist such as in waterfront properties concrete pilings may be driven deep into the earth to form the basis of the foundation.
Regardless of the type of foundation all foundations are reinforced with steel rods or “rebar” for short. Just like the foundation or “footings” the structural engineer determines the number, size, and placement of “rebar” in the foundation system.Throughout the foundation “rebar” is installed at specific locations such as either side of door and window openings. These “down rods” are a continuous link between the foundation and the “tiebeam” which caps the final wall height.
Once the foundation is poured; concrete block is laid to the desired height which is typically 4-8” below the finished floor of the home. Rebar is then placed in the open cells of the block and the block is them poured solid with concrete. After the “stem wall” has been back filled with clean fill dirt and the underground plumbing installed and inspected the masons return and begin the concrete floor forming.
As the masons prepare for the slab pour, some of the rebar from the stem wall is bent over so it will be covered by the concrete in the slab, while other bars continue up through what will be the exterior walls of the home. Slab preparation is critical; it consists of a soil pre treat to hinder termites from entering the home and is sealed with a layer of 6 mil visqueen. All the penetrations from plumbing and electrical piping are taped tightly to the visqueen to ensure the soil pre treat is sealed from the home. A layer of woven steel mesh is then laid over the visqueen andsupported by “mesh ups” which are small plastic hats that ensure the steel mesh is encapsulated in the slab.
The final step as the pour begins is the forming of an 8” wide by 1-1/2” deep ledge around the perimeter of the slab. This ledge is one of the many waterproofing elements in our drainage plain. It ensures that if moisture penetrates the wall system it will settle in this ledge and exit the home below the finished floor.
Once the slab is poured concrete block is laid to the desired height. All window and door openings are checked and rechecked to ensure they are in the appropriate place and the correct size. Rebar is then placed in the open cells and the “tiebeam” is formed. The tiebeam consists of plywood forms that extend above the finished block work. The structural engineer calls out the finished height and width of the “tie beams” as well as the numbers, sizes, and placement of the “rebar”. Once inspected by our superintendent and the county structural inspectors the beams are poured solid
with concrete.
All window openings regardless of size and shape are then poured in solid concrete to their appropriate size to accept the windows and doors. All of our second floor balconies are also poured in steel reinforced concrete. These balconies are poured with a pitch to ensure that once they are thoroughly waterproofed the water will drain properly to the exterior.