Concrete Foundations in Somerville, MA
Build on Solid Ground with Expert Foundation Installation
At Somerville Concrete Masters, we are going to share with you the exact key elements that will determine whether your concrete foundation will last for the lifetime of your home. Our company engineered and poured concrete foundations to meet structural design specifications, pass local inspections, and transfer loads for decades.
The strength of your house is only as strong as its foundation; all walls, roof loads, and structural components depend upon the foundation transferring the weight of the structure safely down into the earth. We engineer and install concrete foundations designed to resist loads and to prevent soil movements, frost heaving, and water penetration.
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What is a Concrete Foundation?
The structure of a building that transfers the load of the building to the earth is called a concrete foundation. A concrete foundation is located underground and allows for the construction of a structure above grade; it also serves as a barrier to protect a structure from water content and movement of the soil. The components of a concrete foundation are footings that provide load distribution and walls and/or slabs that make up the foundation system itself.
As concrete foundation experts in Somerville, MA, we design all of our concrete foundations by taking into account the soil bearing capacity, the building loads, local frost depth requirements, and local building codes. Every one of the concrete foundations installed by us meets engineered specifications and passes an inspection.
Concrete Foundation Design
Foundation design determines how your building performs over its lifetime. When we are working on a project, we team up with structural engineers to figure out what loads will be placed upon the structure during its construction, the sizing of footings (how large), determining the strength of concrete used, and designing the amount of reinforcement within the structure. All our considerations in the design phase take into account soil conditions specific to Somerville, frost depth, and all applicable building codes.
When properly designed, foundation design also includes drainage plans. We grade around the structure so water cannot infiltrate under the structure, and when necessary, we use perimeter drains. We waterproof all below-grade surfaces to help prevent water infiltration, which may lead to undermining the foundation of the structure or create interior moisture issues.
Applications for Concrete Foundations
We install concrete foundations for multiple building types:
Concrete Foundations for Homes
A residential foundation is the base upon which an entire house rests. As such, we pour concrete foundations for homes based on engineered drawings that take into consideration wall loads, floor systems, and the load from the roof. The foundation should include adequate drainage, waterproofing, and reinforcement to protect your home for years to come.
Concrete Foundations for Commercial & Industrial Buildings
Commercial and industrial building foundations are designed to handle heavier loads and longer spans than residential foundations. We provide concrete foundations for commercial & industrial buildings of every size and coordinate with structural engineers and general contractors to ensure the job meets project requirements and deadlines.
Concrete Foundations for Sheds
All structures have the potential to be damaged or destroyed by improper site preparation and/or poor-quality footings. We pour concrete foundations for sheds as well as other small structures that will keep them level, prevent settlement, and protect against water damage. Pier foundations are suitable for most shed construction; however, larger storage buildings may need a perimeter foundation.
Types of Concrete Foundations: We Install
We install multiple foundation types based on your building requirements and site conditions:
Pier & Beam Foundations: A pier & beam foundation consists of vertical piers made from concrete, with horizontal beams attached to these piers. These beams then hold the weight of the house. Pier & beam foundations are a good option when there is expansive clay in the soil or poor drainage, because this design lifts the beams above the grade level of the ground, allowing for better access to plumbing and electric lines under the house. Concrete footings are placed at each pier location and sized to transfer the load to the ground safely.
Slab-On-Grade Foundations: A slab-on-grade foundation combines the foundation of the house with the floor of the house into one continuous pour of concrete. Slab-on-grade foundations are a suitable choice for houses in Somerville because they can be designed to meet the frost depth requirements of our local climate. Vapor barrier, insulation, and rebar are installed before pouring the concrete, forming both the structural base of the house as well as the finished floor surface.
Full Basement Foundations: A full basement foundation provides additional living space, typically a basement area under the main part of the house. Excavation is done to the required depth of the foundation, footings are built along the perimeter, the foundation walls are poured, and finally, the basement floor slab is poured and finished. Full basement foundations provide the most amount of living space available below grade level, while also providing the structural integrity and waterproofing capabilities necessary to protect the home.
Concrete Footings: The Foundation's Foundation
We use footings to help distribute the weight of a building across a greater portion of the ground it is sitting upon, which helps prevent settling. The size (width) of the footing and its thickness are determined by the ability of the soil to bear load and the total load of the building. In addition, the footing should be placed at least as deep as the frost line for your area (in Somerville, MA, that would be approximately 42″ deep) to prevent the potential of “frost heaving” to damage your building’s foundation.
All of our concrete footings include rebar reinforcement – specified to meet engineering requirements for size and placement; all of our footings will rest directly on undisturbed soil or have been properly compacted fill to eliminate the potential of settlement.
Ready to Start Your Foundation Project?
Contact Somerville Concrete Masters for your concrete foundation needs. Whether you’re building a new home, adding to existing structure, or need commercial foundation work, we deliver engineered installations that provide solid support for your project. Free estimates include detailed specifications and transparent pricing. Concrete foundations built to specification – engineered, installed, and inspected for lasting performance.