A strong building stands on a strong foundation – and that strong foundation must rest on strong soil.

Here in South Florida, the ground underneath us is comprised of a mix of stone, sand, dirt and more. The makeup of those materials has a significant impact on the type of foundation you’ll need for your building, and it’s imperative to know before construction can begin.

How Soil Impacts Your Foundation

Of the many professionals on your pre-construction team, having engineers onboard is a must. To assess the type of foundation required for a given building, an engineer will test the stability of the soil and rely on a geotechnical report to shed light on the different types of materials found in the soil.

Based on the environmental study of the soil and the different layers of stone, sand and other materials present, the engineer will recommend a foundation that can hold the required structural weight per square foot.

Moreover, knowing the soil composition informs the type of construction materials that can then be used on a given build site so that the soil will not decompose or otherwise damage the materials. The structural engineer then uses these parameters to design the final foundation for the building.

Strong Soil. Strong Foundation.

Before constructing a building in South Florida, it’s imperative to ensure you have good soil and good dirt to work on. Don’t skip soil testing if you have plans for new construction in the greater Miami-Dade area. To learn more about other essential steps to take during pre-construction, contact us at Seacoast Construction.