Empowering Homeowners To Make The Best Decisions
Being “Oklahoma strong” is not just a catchy slogan. It’s a way of life. Oklahomans have had to endure and battle through elements and events that no one could imagine. An integral component of our state’s amazing history and success lies in our housing. It has enabled countless families the opportunity to create beautiful memories, nurture their families, and pursue their dreams. For years, we have provided thousands of homeowners across the state with peace of mind that their most valuable investment, their home, is secure.
Related Article: The Ins and Outs of Crawl Spaces in Oklahoma, Part Two
Restoring the foundations of our state’s great homes is one of our strongest passions. While serving as a tangible link to our history, preserving Oklahoma homes also allows future generations the opportunity to learn and appreciate the past. They will also create their own legacies and memories as well.
Many of our older homes are constructed on a conventional foundation, more commonly referred to as a crawl space. Overflowing with an abundance of unique character and charm, these homes have provided decades of lifelong memories and comfortable and safe shelter for families. While they offer a lot of benefits, homes with crawl spaces in Oklahoma are susceptible to having foundation-related issues. Over a quarter of our foundation repair jobs in Oklahoma City (OKC), Stillwater, Enid, and across the state this year have been on homes that have a crawl space.
Brief Overview of Construction of Homes With a Conventional Foundation (Crawl Space)
When Part Two of this blog publishes later this week, we will address several major matters. This includes causation, what signs to look for, and some of the more common foundation repair crawl space services. However, before we get there, it is important to have a general understanding of how our homes in Oklahoma that have crawl spaces are built.
Empowered with this knowledge, we can better understand our homes and any potential issues.
Prior to beginning construction, site preparation is a critical step in building a solid foundation. Doing so properly aids in the prevention against future settling and foundation-related issues. During this phase, vegetation and obstructions (rock, debris, etc.) are removed and all grading issues are addressed. Excavation usually occurs next. Heavy machinery then creates trenches where the footings and stem walls will be poured.
Structure Starts to Take Shape
After the site is prepared and excavation is completed, concrete footings are poured into the trenches to create a stable base for the foundation walls. Stem walls are then built on top of the footings. After the footings and stem walls have been installed, foundation walls are built on top of the stem walls. Later, excess debris from the excavation is backfilled around the new foundation to provide support and stability.
Many homes with a crawl space also have a center beam or center stem wall. Running underneath the roof line down the middle of the foundation, it adds further structural support and assists with load distribution. The center beam or center stem wall serves a vital role in the overall support of a solid foundation.
Sill Plates, Vents, and Floor Framing – Other Key Factors
Resting between the foundation wall and the stem wall is the sill plate. The sill plate serves as an interface between the foundation walls and the floor framing. Its role is to distribute the weight of the home evenly, providing stability and support. For more information on the sill plate and its importance on a home’s foundation, see part two of this blog.
Vents or openings are created in the foundation walls to allow proper air flow and moisture control. Insulation is often installed on the exterior walls. Vapor barriers are sometimes added to the ground of the crawl space to aid in the prevention of water intrusion.
The floor framing is essential in building a structurally sound home on a conventional foundation. Covering the width of the foundation and running perpendicular to the sill plate, floor joists are installed. They are fastened to the sill plate with joist hangers and bridging. The subfloor is then installed on top of the floor joists.
In an attempt to improve energy efficiency, some homes with a crawl space have insulation added between the floor joists. Proper execution of this sets up additional building components (interior walls, interior finishes, roofing, etc.) for success. This includes but is not limited to, the installation of walls, roofing, and interior finishes.
Ready For More Crawl Spaces in Oklahoma?
Now that we’ve covered the importance of preserving Oklahoma’s amazing homes and a general overview of how homes with a crawl space in Oklahoma are built, we’re ready to look into crawl space issues. Enter Oklahoma Foundation Solutions and our award-winning team of experts. When our next blog drops, we will explore the causes and signs of crawl space foundation issues, as well as some of the more common foundation repair crawl space services. Part Two is on the way.
