Part one
Helpful Terminology for Understanding Home Construction. The amazing fact about your home is that nearly every piece of material that your home is built with has a name. Being familiar with these materials will help the homeowner better understand home construction and basic home needs. Your local handyman service can be a great help in understanding home construction in greater detail but these are a few of the basics of your home
Footers. The first concept of home construction is the footers. Often unseen and out-of-sight, the footers are one of the most important aspects of your home. In most modern construction, footers are made from solid concrete with steel most often wider than the actual foundation of the home. The concrete footer is used to support the entire weight of the house and provide a solid base. If the footing for the home is not the right size for the soil conditions, oftentimes the home will settle, causing cracks within the interior of the home. Oftentimes your local handyman service, can inspect the footings of your home and advise you of their condition.
Foundation. Typically located directly on the footers is the home’s foundation. Most often, the foundation material consists of cinder blocks, stone, poured concrete, or materials that can provide support. If your home has a basement, the basement walls are typically made from the foundation material.
Sills. This is a wood or steel material that runs around the top of the foundation wall. They are bolted down to the wall itself often with an aluminum termite shield placed between the wood and the foundation wall. Once again, these items can be inspected or repaired by a local home repair service.
Floor Joists and Girders. Moving on from the footers, foundation, and sills, the homeowner will find the girder beams. These beams are used to provide support for the frame of the home and carry the weight of the flooring. The girders are attached to the floor joists which run across the floor, most often spaced sixteen inches apart. The sub-flooring is ultimately attached to these joists, providing a solid base. The floor joists are typically made from 2 x 10 or 2 x 8 lumber, depending on the distance between the girders. After the floor joists are installed, the home contractor will place bridging between the joists to provide additional strength. The bridging acts as a connector to evenly distribute the weight across the entire set of joists.
Subfloor. As noted above, the subfloor is put directly on the floor joist, often construction adhesive is used as the subfloor is attached to the joist. This will prevent squeaking and provide additional strength. The subfloor is not the finished flooring for the home but provides the surface for the finished floor. Most subfloor materials are made of pressed wood with glue that provides waterproofing as the home is being constructed. These are just a few facts concerning your home. Oftentimes, your local handyman service has extensive knowledge regarding home construction and can inspect or repair these and many other home needs.
Conclusion. The old saying goes “knowledge is power” which holds true concerning your home. As the homeowner understands more about the construction of their home it helps them make informed decisions concerning repairs. All Things Home Handyman Columbus is available to help with all your home repair needs.