Caring for Your Home

Main Topic Index » Topics E through L

Foundation

We install the foundation of your home according to the recommendations of our engineer or consulting engineer. The walls of the foundation are foundation block sized per BOCA code.

To protect your home's foundation, follow guidelines for installation and maintenance of landscaping and drainage in this manual.

Even though an engineer designed the foundation and we constructed it according to engineering requirements, surface cracks can still develop in the wall. Surface cracks are not detrimental to the structural integrity of your home. If a crack develops in a foundation wall that allows water to come through, follow the procedures for submitting a warranty claim.

Due to the amount of water in concrete, basements may be damp. Condensation can form on water lines and drip onto the floor.

If you decide to perform additional construction in the basement, obtain guidelines from a licensed engineer, obtain a building permit, and comply with all codes and safety requirements. Oliver Homes does not warrant that you will be able to obtain such a permit because of the possibility that building codes may change.

Shrinkage or backfill cracks are not unusual in foundation walls, especially at the corners of basement windows. Oliver Homes will seal cracks that exceed 1/8 inch in width.

Slight cosmetic imperfections in foundation walls, such as a visible seam where two pours meet or slight honeycombing (aggregate visible), are possible and require no repair unless they permit water to enter.

Oliver Homes will correct conditions that permit water to enter the basement, provided you have complied with the drainage, landscaping, and maintenance guidelines. Dampness on walls or floor is considered normal ? puddling of water on the floor will be corrected.