Concrete Foundations & Footings
Strong, stable foundations that support your building and stand up to Connecticut soil and weather.
Why Foundations Matter
Your foundation is the most critical part of any building. It transfers the weight of the structure to the ground and keeps everything level and stable. A poor foundation leads to settling, cracks in walls, stuck doors, and expensive repairs. A good foundation lasts the life of the building with minimal issues.
Connecticut presents specific challenges for foundations. We deal with freeze-thaw cycles, expansive soils, high water tables in some areas, and varied soil conditions. Foundations need to go below the frost line (typically 42 inches deep here) to prevent frost heave that pushes and cracks concrete.
Whether you are building a new home, adding a garage, or putting up a shed, the foundation work needs to be done right. This is not the place to cut corners or try budget alternatives. We follow building codes, use proper materials, and build foundations that last.
Types of Foundations We Build
Poured Concrete Foundations
Full basement foundations with poured concrete walls give you the strongest, most durable foundation. We excavate, pour footings, build forms, place rebar, and pour the walls in sections or all at once depending on the size. Poured walls are seamless and handle lateral pressure from soil better than block walls.
Footings and Grade Beams
Footings are the wide concrete pads at the base of foundation walls or posts. They spread the building weight over a larger area so the foundation does not sink. Grade beams are reinforced concrete beams that span between footings and support the structure above. Both need to be sized correctly for the loads and soil conditions.
Slab-on-Grade Foundations
A slab-on-grade combines the foundation and floor into one thick concrete slab. The edges are thicker (turned-down footings) to support the walls. These work well for single-story buildings, garages, and additions where basements are not needed. They cost less than full basements and work great on good soil.
Pier and Post Foundations
Smaller buildings like sheds, decks, or pole barns might use concrete piers or post footings instead of continuous foundation walls. We dig holes below frost depth, pour concrete piers or footings, and set posts or beams on them. This is more economical for lighter structures and works on sloped sites.
Foundation Installation Process
Foundation work follows a specific sequence. Getting the order and details right makes the difference between a foundation that lasts and one that fails.
Here is how we approach foundation work:
- •Site survey and layout to establish building location
- •Excavation to proper depth and width
- •Footing placement with rebar reinforcement
- •Foundation wall forming with bracing and alignment
- •Rebar placement and inspection before pour
- •Concrete pouring with proper consolidation
- •Curing period before form removal
- •Waterproofing and drainage installation
- •Backfilling with proper compaction
We coordinate with excavators, engineers, and building inspectors throughout the process. Foundation work requires inspections at key stages before you can proceed. We handle the scheduling and make sure everything passes inspection the first time. Similar attention to detail goes into all our concrete flatwork.
Waterproofing and Drainage
A foundation without proper waterproofing and drainage will eventually have water problems. We apply waterproof membrane to the exterior foundation walls to prevent moisture penetration. This protects the concrete and keeps your basement dry.
Drainage systems channel groundwater away from the foundation. We typically install perforated drain pipe at the footing level that directs water to daylight or a sump pit. This prevents hydrostatic pressure that can crack walls and force water through any weak points.
Good grading around the foundation is equally important. The soil should slope away from the building so surface water flows away instead of pooling against the foundation. We work with excavators to ensure proper final grades that protect your foundation investment.
Planning a Building Project?
Let's talk about your foundation needs. We will review your plans, assess site conditions, and provide a detailed quote on building a foundation that supports your project for decades.
(475) 575-0588