In recent years, stem wall foundations have become very popular for various buildings because of their strength and diverse applications. With its growing and prevalent use in the industry, it is critical to understand what stem wall foundations are, how they work, and their overall benefits.
In this article, find out the pros and cons of stem wall supports, how to keep your stem wall in good shape, and how to fix a broken one. This guide will explain everything you need to know about stem wall foundations in home construction, how they fit in with new home technologies, and why they might be a must-have base type for your next residential project.
Defining Stem Wall Foundations
Similar to a flower stem, which connects the root to the leaves and flowers, a stem wall foundation is raised foundational construction that connects the outside walls of a building to its concrete footings in the ground. Essentially, it connects the building’s frame to its base. This foundation spreads the building’s weight over a more extensive area, making the structure more stable and less likely to collapse. It also raises the house off the ground, keeping it safe from floods and soil loss.
Because they use less cement, stem wall foundations are much cheaper than a basement or slab-on-grade foundation. It is usually made up of cement walls that support the house’s structure by transferring the building’s weight to the base and often keeping it above flood level. A third of the wall is below ground and connects to concrete footers—the top of the wall links to the outside walls of the building and maybe a concrete slab. Concrete blocks, poured concrete, or precast concrete pieces are often used to build stem walls.
Pros and Cons of Stem Wall Foundations
Now that we have defined stem wall foundations let us look at the pros and cons of using this particular system.
Pros of Using Stem Wall Foundations
Building a stem wall foundation has many benefits for building a house. It makes the building stronger by keeping it from shifting when the ground moves due to changes in the weather or the environment. In this section, let us look at its advantages.
Suitable for a Wide Range of Surfaces
Stem wall foundations do not necessarily need flat ground surfaces. It can be used on various properties, including hilly ones. It can also work with the different heights of the ground to ensure the floor of your home is level.
Stronger and More Durable
A stem wall foundation is good because it keeps the earth from moving and shifting, keeps the house safe from flooding, and lets you put in crawl spaces to get to your utilities quickly. Compared to other support types, it is usually more robust and can last much longer.
Better in Flood Zones
Since stem wall foundations raise the elevation of your home above ground, it can be protected from water damage caused by floods. It also prevents water from getting to the main floor of the house, which protects against flood damage that is common in places with high water tables.
Easy Accessibility
A stem wall foundation creates a space between the house and the ground, making accessing water or electrical hookups below the surface easier.
Cons of Using Stem Wall Foundations
All things have its pros and cons. Now that we have discussed the advantages of stem wall foundations let us look at the disadvantages.
Scope and Complexity
Since stem wall foundations are more complex, building one may require more time and skill than building a monolithic block or another type of foundation. This can increase the cost of building stem wall supports.
Regular Maintenance Required
Because the stem wall base is higher than a monolithic slab, it needs regular maintenance and upkeep to avoid problems like pests, water damage, and cracks.
The Building Process for a Stem Wall Foundation
As mentioned earlier, a stem wall foundation is a unique type of construction that raises the base of a building above the ground. It is usually made of concrete and rebar and goes from the building’s footing to the ground level. It ensures the structure is stable, strong, and long-lasting.
Let us look at how a stem wall foundation is built.
Finalizing Layout Plans
Before the actual building phase can begin, the correct layout plan should be finalized based on the building’s blueprints. This plan should include all relevant details, such as the landlines, the size of the house, and the setbacks required by the government.
Excavating Soil and Pouring the Foundation
Once the plan is correct and final, the next step is to dig the footing, keeping the width and depth the right way. After this step, the forms are put together and strengthened with steel bars. Finally, the concrete is mixed and poured into the forms.
Shaping The Stem Wall Foundation
Once the footings are set and dry, forms are placed along their sides to determine how high the stem wall should be above the grade. Steel rebar is then installed to strengthen the structure. Lastly, the top layer of the concrete is poured. The forms can be taken down once the concrete has hardened, marking the end of the foundation-building process.
How Stem Wall Foundation Is Different from Others
Different foundations are used to build homes, such as the block and pile foundations. However, the stem wall foundation stands out with its unique feature of being raised above ground level. If you live in an area that is likely to flood or experience rain regularly, then stem wall foundations can work best for your home.
The most common foundation, a slab-on-grade foundation, is flat and sits directly on the ground. On the other hand, a stem wall foundation usually has a wall around the outside. It is also different from a pier and beam foundation because it surrounds an area instead of leaving room under the building open.
How Much Does It Cost to Build A Stem Wall Foundation?
Building a good house base is more than just a one-size-fits-all job. You may be confused about what will work with your home and have difficulty choosing from many options. Because of its complexity, building a stem wall foundation can cost a lot of money, primarily because of the location, labor costs, materials needed, and the size and scope of the building.
However, although the costs may be high initially, they usually pay off in the long run because the stem wall foundation ensures strength and longevity and can help keep your home in pristine condition for much longer. A stem wall foundation can be a good choice if you need more than essential support, care about long-term durability, and want to add a basement. If you understand this vital part of the home construction ecosystem, you can make intelligent decisions about your building job.
How Do You Maintain A Stem Wall Foundation?
A stem wall base is usually strong, but it needs to be checked and fixed regularly so minor problems stay manageable and cost a lot to fix. As part of maintenance, cracks, water damage, and other issues that could weaken the structure are checked for.
This section recommends two tips to keep your stem wall foundation in tip-top shape.
Check and Evaluate Regularly
Once a month, walk around your house and look for cracks or spalling in the base. If you see an area that could be damaged, write it down and check it more often to see if anything changes.
Cracking and water damage are two common problems you must watch out for. Cracks can happen when the house settles or the soil moves, and water damage can occur when there is not enough drainage around the base, leading to mildew and mold problems. That is why you need to thoroughly evaluate your site location to ensure that the design for your home can meet its requirements.
Get Help from a Pro
Fixing a broken stem wall base is possible, but you should get professional advice, like talking to your general contractor about how bad the damage is and how to fix it. Repairs could be as simple as filling in cracks or as complex as replacing the whole base.
Of course, each case is different, and the best way to fix the problem depends on where it comes from and how bad the damage is.
Key Takeaway
You should consider using a stem wall foundation for your new home or business building for several good reasons. This foundation is designed to be strong, stable, and hold much weight. It is often used in places likely to flood or where soil loss is a problem. Even though they take more work and would cost more, stem wall foundations are a good choice in the long run.
The structural stability of the stem wall foundation makes a huge difference in how long a house lasts. Buildings made with this foundation defend against damage from water, shifting dirt, and pests, all of which are common problems for property owners.