slab foundations????

dixie_boysles · #1 01-17-2011, 08:51 AM

For those of you that have omes with slab foundations, any pros or cons!!!???

the fiance are contemplating buying the house i posted:

Im in love with this house

BUT we just had a few quesions regarding a slab foundation.

Now to answer a few questions, the HVAC is NOT in the clab, its in the ceiling. Im gonna say that since the house was gutted and totally remodeled, all the new wiring is in the walls.

merlin215 · #2 01-17-2011, 08:59 AM

Slab foundations are not bad , although you want to watch for Moisture on and around the lower parts of the house . Make sure you have at least 6 inches ( I like a foot ) between the ground and the lower plate . On a slab you will find in the winter that they get cold ( unless in floor heating was installed ) . Up in the Northeast businesses have been doing it for a long time . Looks like a nice house .... Just no basement for storage though .

Clinton · #3 01-17-2011, 09:02 AM

I have seen alot of houses on slab foundations where I work, A buddy of mine has one as well. His HVAC is completley run through the slab which is a big concern in case something breaks etc. That was pretty much the only bad thing in my opinion. Being that the house you're looking at has it run through the ceiling I think it's a good thing. I think a slab is a good thing, you dont have to worry about leaking basement, pumping water from that leaking basement and floor joists rotting/falling apart due to moisture. I think its a good thing Scott especially where the HVAC is run.

dixie_boysles · #4 01-17-2011, 09:12 AM

I looked for cracks around the perimeter of the house and did not see any visible cracks. That is a good sign because that is where a lot of load is from the walls!

Clinton · #5 01-17-2011, 09:17 AM

Thats a good thing man, Those slabs are pretty sturdy. I know Where my brother lived in NC, everything was double wide trailers and had tin skirting all around and even old ones never had an issue underneath so with the slab you will be really good to go there man

merlin215 · #6 01-17-2011, 09:25 AM

My brother lives up in Northern Vermont , it gets REAL cold up there , and He built on a slab ( 3 Stories ) . Just to add what Clinton says , Plumbing will go thru the slab , Drains etc . But they don't have any issues and its been about 10 years now .

No signs of anytihng occurring . Mine is a split ranch ( raised ) and We are in the basement a lot and have no issues either just a little damp and cold but we have a fireplace and heat so its ok .....

dixie_boysles · #7 01-17-2011, 09:25 AM

yeah there are alot of people with trailers. There are some trailers beside this house as well. I have lived in trailers...lol.

Just trying to consider everything. The way I see it there are cons to everything and if you go into everything with the "What if this happens or if that happens" too badly, you will never have anything.

I do have the mindset that im researching everything that i can and all.

edgerider2002 · #8 01-17-2011, 09:30 AM

every single new house around here has a solid cement slab. nothing bad to them just watch the moisture since it pretty much goes slab, carpet pad, carpet. but honestly the only place moisture is a concern is the bathroom but who has carpet in a bathroom? if you have tile no worries.

to bad you dont live here my girlfriend is a real estate agent at 21. already sold a house too.

dixie_boysles · #9 01-17-2011, 09:43 AM

sweet. yeah the bathroom has tile. but the rest of the main floor is laminate. I want to replace with carpet because Sara is cold natured and will will have cold feet...lol

Thanks for the encouraging words!

edgerider2002 · #10 01-17-2011, 10:23 AM

Get rid of laminate. It will eventually start to come up around the edges. Tile is a must and laminate is almost a waste

99rangerbob · #11 01-17-2011, 07:34 PM

try to find out where the plumbing is... i have a friend where there is aburst pipe in the slab and its going to be a pain to fix... also youve checked for cracks but see if your home inspector can check with a thermal imaging camera to make sure there is no problem areas with the slab..... in an area with alot of water ( like my upstate house) they have to make sure the area is properly drained so the slab wont crack during freeze and thaw

azgilamonster · #12 01-17-2011, 08:38 PM

I have lived in the midwest and in the southwest, In the midwest I would rather have a slab versus a crawlspace unless there is at least 16" of height under the house if not moisture will get on the floor joist, other than that a basement would be the way to go.

In the Southwest it is mainly slab foundation as digging out for a basement is costly in the hard rock, slab concerns are plumbing leaks , and if the pour was a fast pour and dried to fast it will have cracks in the concrete.

I think slab should be fine, unless water line freeze and breaks see if teh plumbing is PEX pipe that stuff can freeze but will not crack or break like copper