Building a Good Foundation
- Good foundations are important to ensure that no movement can take place - any movement or settlement will result in cracks in the walls.
- Ensure that the foundation is taken down to a firm soil.
- Ensure that the depth of the foundation in ordinary soils is at least 1.2 m (4 feet). In Black Cotton (expansive) soils, the depth of foundation should be 15 centimetres below the cracks in soil. Provide an interposing layer of sand around and beneath the footing in such soils.
- Ensure that the width of the bottom course of the footing is not less than twice the thickness of the wall.
- Provide a plain concrete bed (1:3:6 ratio) of at least 12 centimetres thickness below the bottom course.