The Foundation is 100% of the Home’s Structural Integrity
A common misconception homeowners have about their homes is that the structural integrity of their homes is in the walls of their homes. It’s an understandable mistake, after all, don’t the walls of the home hold up the ceiling? While it’s true that other parts of the home such as the walls and roof are load-bearing elements, what bears them up if not the foundation?
Why is the foundation so important?
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to demonstrate the importance of the foundation in relation to other parts of the home is through a simple example, such as load-bearing walls. First, ask your self what the walls are holding up, and then ask yourself what is holding up the walls.
Have you ever built a “house” out of a deck of playing cards? If you have, then you know that while it can be difficult, it is possible to use an A-frame structure to build card houses because the A-frame is made up of two cards leaning against each other which creates lateral support but even so, the vertical support comes from the strong level and flat surfaces on which you place the cards. If you tried to build a house of cards on an unstable surface you would find it a lot more difficult, and definitely less stable, no different than a house without a strong and stable foundation.
In a similar way to the cards example, the wood we use for walls is actually incredibly flimsy unless supported by a strong foundation. Without a strong foundation, the walls and roof of your home are nothing, it’s the foundation that protects you from the forces that act against your home’s structural integrity.
What forces does the foundation protect against?
The foundation is responsible for protecting your home from earthquakes, high winds and hurricanes, weak soil pressure, and all live and dead loads which is the weight of the structure, furniture, people, and all nature’s forces. You could say, the foundation by itself is the home’s structural integrity.
The bearing force refers to the effects of gravity on the home. This keeps your walls standing and your roof over your head. The foundation needs to provide the necessary level force to support the walls in the appropriate position to keep your home at 100% structural integrity.
Sure Safe’s VR-1 Foundation System is a patented ICC (International Code Counsel) listed foundation technology to make your home strong again. Question: Did the last company you got a bid from to repair your foundation to offer an ICC-listed foundation?
