20 Basement and Foundation Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

There are many unique turns of phrase and bits of lingo associated with the foundation or basement of a structure. It can be overwhelming, particularly for new homeowners. If you suspect something may be wrong with your home’s foundation, you may not know how to explain the situation to a qualified foundation engineer. That’s where we come in. 

We’ve assembled a handy glossary of terms that you can call upon whenever you need to describe foundation issues to a technician, an inspector, or even a neighbor at your next block party. 

1. Beams and Girders

Beams typically refer to slabs of wood or concrete that offer structural support to the girder, whereas the girder is a slab of wood or concrete that offers structural support to the foundation itself. Beams and girders can vary in size, width, and load-bearing capacity, though girders are typically much larger than beams. 

A concrete or steel-reinforced beam is usually installed along the perimeter of a foundation to add strength and rigidity. Make sure any beam or girder being used to protect the integrity of a basement or foundation features rebar or post-tension cables for added support.

These foundation terms are generally used interchangeably but it’s important to remember that all girders are technically beams, but not all beams are girders. It depends on what they are supporting.

2. Below Grade

This is a simple one. If you hear a construction expert referring to an area of your home as being “below grade,” that just means it’s below ground level. 

Basements by their very nature will be below grade, but so can the ground level of your home, depending on how the foundation lays and the geographic makeup of your neighborhood. A good foundation will typically exist both below and above grade.

3. Berm

A berm is a heap of soil placed near the foundation to help direct and control the flow of water. Berms help prevent foundation damage by forcing moisture to drain away from the house. 

Keeping standing water away from the foundation is one of the primary maintenance steps a homeowner should take to reduce costly structural issues. In other words, a properly placed berm or two is your friend.

4. Cantilevered

If your foundation or basement is only being supported at one end, an expert will say it’s cantilevered. Some engineers cantilever a foundation on purpose, for special load-bearing circumstances, while others become cantilevered over time as the building materials degrade. 

In the latter case, you’ll need to install supports on one end of the foundation to eliminate sags and keep the benchmark steady.

5. Capillary Action

Capillary action is the movement of water through a porous material, such as soil or concrete block. Capillary action causes porous materials to become saturated and it forces the water upward against the force of gravity. Eventually, moisture seeps into the foundation like a sponge, leading to a rise in standing water. This is called capillary rise. Left unchecked, a capillary rise can cause cracks in the foundation and an overall weakness in the structural integrity of your home.

6. Drain Tile

To reduce capillary action and eliminate standing water near your foundation, install a drain tile. The drain tile is a subsurface piping system that directs underground water away from the foundation of the home. 

Usually, this piping is a 4-inch diameter plastic tube with rows of holes or slits. This drain tile installs at or below the footing, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as a footing drain.

7. Efflorescence

This foundation term is important to know. If your concrete foundation has seeped with moisture, an expert may say it is experiencing efflorescence. White discoloration on the surface of concrete structures typically indicates concrete efflorescence. Curing your concrete foundation can help prevent both cracks and efflorescence, but even cured concrete can still be somewhat porous. 

8. Footing

The footing is the concrete base of the foundation that’s poured into the foundation trench. This base supports the foundation and is usually poured as an integral part of a slab. If the footing becomes exposed to regular moisture, the foundation could sag and cracks could appear. 

9. Foundation

A home’s foundation is its primary supporting layer. The foundation acts as a structural intermediary between a house and the soil beneath it. It is extremely important, so perform due diligence to prevent foundation issues. 

10. Foundation Movement

The term foundation movement is the shifting, settling, or movement of the foundation walls, especially in the basement. Bulging walls, shifted concrete blocks in the basement, and cracks in the mortar joints all point to foundation movement. 

Cracks in the interior walls of the home can also signal foundation movement. Some of the causes of foundation movement are hydraulic pressure, improper construction practices, and freeze/thaw conditions in the soil.

While some types of foundation movement are easy to spot, a plumb line or string line may be necessary to determine the extent of movement.

11. Load Path

A foundation’s load path refers to the direction in which weight passes through the base of your home. A healthy load path will see weight beginning at the top of the home, passing through to the footing, and finally moving on to the foundation itself and the soil that lays beneath it. A proper load path ensures a strong and durable foundation.

12. Monolithic Foundation

A monolithic foundation is a slab and foundation combination that is poured all at one time. It does not have a full footing and foundation wall configuration. The foundation forms by pouring the slab thicker at the edges. You’ll find monolithic foundations primarily in locations where the ground does not freeze, to prevent damage due to the freeze/thaw cycle.

13. Pier and Associated Components

This kind of pier does not refer to your favorite fishing spot, but rather indicates a support located underneath the foundation. Piers are typically wood, concrete, or steel. Piers connect to the foundation via a pier cap and metal shims. 

Think of a pier cap as the screw or anchor and the metal shim as the nut or washer. The process of piering is sometimes referred to as underpinning, so be on the lookout for that term.

14. Poured Concrete Foundation or Stem Wall

A poured concrete foundation is one in which the foundation is formed with lumber and then filled with concrete, as opposed to a foundation built of concrete blocks. Vertical steel reinforcing rods strengthen the foundation. A poured concrete foundation is sometimes referred to as a stem wall and typically follows the perimeter of the home. 

15. Stair Step Crack

Stair step cracks are separations in the mortar joints of the concrete block foundation. The separation runs down the vertical joint and across the horizontal joint, forming a crack that looks like a set of stairs. Stair step cracks are usually the result of foundation settling or movement. If you notice stair step cracks, do not hesitate to contact a structural engineer. 

16. Transpiration

Trees are a fantastic way to increase the aesthetic value of your yard. Unfortunately, a tree’s roots will remove moisture from the soil around your foundation in a process called transpiration. To prevent soil shrinkage and other negative impacts of transpiration, consider installing a root barrier.

17. Tuckpoint

Tuckpointing is the process of removing old grout or mortar that has deteriorated or become damaged. An expert removes old mortar to a uniform depth and replaces it with a new mortar mixture, thus protecting the foundation. A number of things cause mortar damage, including hairline cracks introduced by the freeze/thaw cycle and standing water. 

18. Wall Cove

The basement wall cove or wall cove joint is the juncture where the floor and the wall join. The cove joint can be a primary area for leakage and is highly susceptible to moisture damage. So keep an eye on it as part of your basement maintenance routine. 

19. Water Table

The water table is an underground level below which the soil is saturated with water. It is the upper surface of what is called the zone of saturation. The water at this level is at atmospheric pressure. Foundations constructed at or below the water table are subject to damage from soil shifting and foundation settling.

20. Weep Holes

Weep holes are a drainage option for block foundations. They are small openings in the exterior of the foundation that allow water formed in the interior of the block to drain to the outside. They are formed by leaving gaps in the mortar or by using small tubes surrounded by the mortar. Weep holes are generally installed above grade and can be covered with netting to prevent insect invasions. 

Basement and Foundation Terms You Should Know

Now that you have the hang of common basement and foundation terms, you can talk confidently about any issues you might be having. If you don’t have DIY experience, considering hiring a foundation repair company in your area.