Concrete Foundations in Kent, WA
Building Strong from the Ground Up
At Kent Concrete Masters, we believe a good foundation is what makes a great building; therefore, we are dedicated to delivering quality foundation work for you, so your project can have a solid beginning, no matter if it’s a new house, an addition, or a commercial building. We also realize that the foundation of your investment will be the one single piece of your project that bears the burden of all of the weight of the building and withstands the shifting forces of the earth beneath it.
We use high-quality materials and precision engineering to produce foundations that far exceed local building codes. With a full site assessment process and specialized pouring procedures, we ensure each and every foundation we build is perfectly level, structurally sound, and will stand the test of time for many years to come. We want to be the starting place for your next construction project and provide you with the confidence that comes from having a professional foundation.
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The Importance of Quality Foundations
Concrete foundations are very important to how long your building will last and be stable. Foundations connect your building to the ground. All of the weight of your building rests on your foundation. The quality of your foundation will determine if you have structural problems with your home, whether your floors are uneven, and whether or not you have water damage in your home.
- Transfer Load: Your foundation transfers all the loads (weights) of your building to the ground and prevents it from sagging or leaning.
- Leveling: A foundation provides an excellent leveling surface for the framing process. This is important for the proper installation of your walls, windows, and doors.
- Protection from the Environment: A quality foundation will protect your home from moisture and soil movements. Properly installing vapor barriers and adequate drainage systems helps prevent the seepage of groundwater into your home, and keeps the structural integrity of your concrete intact.
Types of Concrete Foundations We Offer
We provide a variety of foundation styles tailored to your specific building requirements and the unique topography of your site. Our team helps you select the right configuration to ensure long-term stability and functionality for your project:
Slab-on-Grade
Slab-on-grade construction is cost-effective, fast to build, and suitable for your area’s weather conditions. Slab on grade is a one-layer of concrete that will be placed at least 6 inches deep, but can go deeper depending on the location, with thicker slabs around the perimeter to create structural walls. The slab-on-grade foundation style is ideal for areas in which the ground does not freeze deep, and creates a strong, maintenance-free surface upon which to build.
Crawl Space
Crawl space construction allows for easy access to utilities and provides additional storage under the house. Crawl space construction also raises the living space above the ground and allows for improved ventilation (air flow) and makes any future plumbing or electrical repairs much easier to accomplish.
Basement Foundations
If you would like to have additional living space, we will build complete basement foundations that are fully sealed and reinforced. Basement foundations can provide a tremendous amount of square footage for bedrooms, home theaters, or storage, and serve as a solid anchor point for the entire house.
Pier and Beam
Pier and beam construction is ideal for areas that have expansive soils or flood risk concerns, as it utilizes concrete piers to elevate the structure above the ground. The pier and beam construction style is great for uneven terrain and allows the ground to move or water to flow underneath the structure without affecting the main structure.
Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations
The Frost Protected Shallow Foundation (FPSF) is a highly energy-efficient solution for heated buildings that utilizes insulation to keep the soil beneath the foundation from freezing. In doing so, the FPSF will allow us to place a shallow foundation that will still provide a full level of frost heave protection.
Our Concrete Foundation Process
We follow a meticulous engineering approach to ensure your structure stands on a reliable base. Our process is designed to mitigate the risks of settling and moisture intrusion, providing a seamless transition from raw land to a build-ready site:
- Site Evaluation: We begin with site evaluation; this process assesses the type of soil you have at the location of your new construction and the local building code requirements. Understanding the load-bearing ability of the soils at your location will help determine how deep your foundation will need to be constructed and what type of reinforcement will be required.
- Design and Engineering: Next, we move into design and engineering. In this phase, our experienced engineers create a customized foundation plan based on your unique project specifications. Our engineers will also make sure that the structural design of your foundation can safely bear the weight of your building, while also conforming to all applicable safety regulations.
- Excavation and Site Preparation: The third phase of construction is excavation and site preparation. During this phase, we confirm that your foundation has been excavated to the correct depth and that your soil has been compacted properly. Any organic materials or debris are removed to provide a stable, level working surface that will not allow the foundation to shift or settle over time.
- Forms and Rebar Installation: In the fourth phase of construction, we construct the forms for your foundation walls and install the grid of steel rebar. It is the presence of this internal framework of rebar that provides the tensile strength required to support the heavy loads that will be placed on your foundation and resist the pressure exerted by the surrounding soil.
- Concrete Pouring: The fifth phase of construction is the pouring of the concrete. We utilize a specialized mix of cement and aggregate that is specifically formulated for the weather conditions found in our area. Careful attention is given to ensure that the concrete is poured uniformly throughout the entire slab, and that no air pockets develop during the placement process that may compromise the structural integrity of your foundation.
- Curing: Once the concrete has set, the sixth phase of construction begins. In this phase, we focus on providing the best possible environment for the concrete to reach its full strength potential. The most important elements of the curing process are maintaining the right amount of moisture in the concrete and controlling the temperature of the concrete during the curing process. By doing so, we can ensure that your foundation will meet the highest standards of structural integrity.
- Waterproofing: As we enter the seventh and final phase of construction, we address waterproofing measures to protect the sub-grade area of your property. Waterproofing is especially important in our region, where groundwater tends to seep into foundations and cause dampness or mold problems later in the life cycle of the structure.
- Final Inspection: Lastly, we inspect your completed foundation to verify compliance with all local building codes and regulations. We inspect the finished work to ensure that the surfaces of your foundation walls are perfectly square and level, and ready for the next stage of construction.
Our Foundation Services
We offer a comprehensive range of foundation solutions to support any building project, from initial construction to long-term structural maintenance. Our team is equipped to handle the complexities of both residential and commercial requirements:
Foundations for New Builds
We give you the basic building block of your brand-new project (residential or commercial). Whether you’re building a custom home or a large commercial complex, we work with each of our clients to develop an accurate plan that provides the perfect base for both framing & masonry contractors.
Repair and Reinforce Existing Foundations
If you see your home (or business) is shifting or has cracks throughout the foundation, we can help you with repair services. Using high-strength products and established methods to reinforce your foundation so you don’t have to worry about it continuing to deteriorate.
Inspect and Evaluate Your Existing Foundation
Our company will evaluate all aspects of your current foundation system to assess its overall condition. For those who wish to renovate their home, this inspection service is a necessity; and for those wishing to buy a property, it’s an invaluable resource to know the structural integrity of the property before purchasing it.
Waterproofing and Drainage Solutions
We will design and install the latest moisture barrier systems and waterproofing solutions to maintain the driest possible conditions under grade. When you prevent water from entering your foundation, you protect it from the freeze-thaw cycle and hydrostatic pressures found in many parts of our country.
Footings for Load-Bearing Elements
We design and pour specialized footings to transfer the loads generated by columns and load-bearing wall elements. To prevent localized settlement and structural failure due to excessive loading, these types of footings need to be designed and constructed properly.
Prepare the Foundation Site for Modular/Prefab Home Installations
The precise leveling required for successful modular prefab installations is our specialty. We will work within the specifications of the manufacturer to provide the exact site preparation needed to allow for a perfect installation for your new home.
Why Choose Kent Concrete Masters for Your Foundation?
Choosing the right partner for your foundation work is the most important decision in the construction process. We bring a combination of technical precision and local knowledge to every site, ensuring your building stands on a base that will never let you down. Here is why we are the trusted choice:
- Understanding the Area’s Soil Conditions & Weather Patterns: Local knowledge helps us predict how the unique soil types in this area and its weather patterns will affect how the concrete sets and the potential for issues that may arise from poor drainage and inadequate reinforcement in the area where you’re building.
- Adapting Our Approach to Each Project: No two buildings are alike. While we may be able to use similar techniques on multiple projects, each has unique architectural and design requirements. Therefore, we take the time to develop a customized structural plan that meets the needs of your project.
- Using High-Quality Materials: The materials we select for use in the foundation are of the highest quality. With the right type of concrete (PSI), additives, and mix designs, we can help ensure your foundation will have enough strength to resist the forces of extreme pressure and environmental factors while maintaining its integrity.
- Attention to Detail: From the initial planning stage through the completion of the project, we maintain the same level of detail and precision as if it were our own home. Every crew member has been trained to perform their job to the best of their ability, so we can ensure your new home or commercial building has a solid foundation and is built to last.
- Meeting Your Schedule Needs: We realize that every day your foundation is delayed, your entire project is delayed. So, we strive to complete all phases of the foundation installation process as quickly and efficiently as possible, while still providing the quality service you expect from us.
- Offering Competitive Pricing: We believe that our customers deserve to receive quality service at competitive prices. We provide a professional and reliable service that will give you peace of mind and a solid foundation for years to come.
Foundation Considerations for Kent's Climate?
Designing a foundation in our region requires a deep understanding of the specific environmental pressures that can affect concrete over time. We don’t just pour concrete; we engineer solutions that address the unique characteristics of the local landscape:
- Drainage Solutions: The heavy rainfall in this region necessitates drainage solutions when designing the foundation for a new home. Perimeter drains and vapor barriers will be used to divert water away from the house, reducing the risk of hydrostatic pressure, which would prevent water from entering the house, as well as maintaining a dry sub-grade environment.
- Frost Protection: We take into consideration possible frost conditions that may occur due to freezing temperatures and expand the soil surrounding the footings of a house. Shallow frost-protected foundations are available as an option for frost heave prevention.
- Seismic Considerations: Seismic activity is taken into consideration when designing foundations for new homes; the foundations will meet or exceed local seismic standards. Specific reinforcement and anchorage patterns are utilized to provide flexibility and strength to the foundation system, thus ensuring the structural integrity of the house and the safety of you and your family.
Signs You May Need Foundation Repair
Early detection is key to preventing minor settling from becoming a major structural failure. If you notice any of the following warning signs in your home or commercial building, it may indicate that your foundation has shifted or been compromised by moisture:
- Horizontal Cracks or Stair-Step Cracks in Walls/Floors: These indicate high pressure on the ground and/or settling of your home’s foundation.
- Sticking Doors/Windows: A shifting foundation will cause a building to go out of square. This will create problems when you try to open/close doors/windows.
- Floors That Feel Bouncy or Sloped: Floors that have a bouncy feeling or appear to be sloped toward one corner of the house typically indicate the foundation support system is failing.
- Visible Gaps Between Walls/Ceilings: If there are visible gaps between the top of a wall and the ceiling, or between the house/chimney, this may indicate that the structure has pulled away from the original location.
- Leaking Water In Basements/Crawl Spaces: Leaks or puddles, or musty smells in basements/crawl spaces usually indicate failure of either your foundation’s waterproofing/drainage systems.
If you notice any of these signs, contact us for a professional assessment. Our team will evaluate the situation and provide a clear plan to stabilize and protect your property.
Ready to Start Your Foundation Project?
Whether you’re building a new home, adding an extension, or need foundation repairs, Kent Concrete Masters is here to ensure your structure stands on solid ground. Our concrete foundations provide the strong, stable base your project deserves.
Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate. Let’s discuss how we can create the perfect concrete foundation for your Kent property.
Call: (253) 867-8835
Email: service@kentconcretemasters.com
Kent Concrete Masters – Laying the groundwork for your success, one foundation at a time!