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[quote=Anonymous]There are code requirements for foundations, and all local areas require inspections to ensure compliance. But your question is probably a little more complex, so apologies in advance for the lengthy answer, but here it is.

There are three major components to a foundation - the footings, the walls, and the floor slab. The footings sit below the foundation walls and support those walls. These are almost always poured concrete, reinforced with steel, and are anywhere from 8 to 24 inches thick depending on local codes and load requirements. They also sit below the frost line and must be on undisturbed or tested, compacted soil.

The walls may be poured concrete or concrete masonry units (CMUs), both of which will be reinforced with steel rebar, and grouted if CMU. There is not a huge difference structurally between poured concrete and CMU, nor is the cost that different generally. The foundation slab is generally 4 inches thick, and carries little load.

The basement walls are waterproofed on the outside using an integrated system, comprised of a painted on rubber membrane and mesh. A hard plastic waterboard is then applied. At the bottom of the footing, a weeping pipe is installed, and excess water is collected and routed via gravity away from the house. Depending on local site conditions, an interior weeping system may also be installed, and may be connected to a sump pit (or multiple sump pits depending on the size of the basement). Usually, interior sumps are avoided in new construction unless the site sits within a bowl and no other drainage option is possible.

Your engineer is primarily responsible for drawing the foundation to comply with local codes, and your inspector will enforce those codes very strictly for foundations. But a new, modern foundation system *should* prevent any water infiltration into your basement.[/quote]

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