Middle TN...crawl space or slab (houses, purchase, tornado)

[Travelingal2]

I have a question for those of you that have built a home in Middle TN. When a friend was looking at having a home built in Overton County, one builder he talked with said that is was better to build a home with crawl space than a slab. When he asked why, he told him that it helps discourage termites. What do you think? Crawl space or slab and why. Thanks in advance for all your wonderful help!

[Kim918]

Originally Posted by Travelingal

I have a question for those of you that have built a home in Middle TN. When a friend was looking at having a home built in Overton County, one builder he talked with said that is was better to build a home with crawl space than a slab. When he asked why, he told him that it helps discourage termites. What do you think? Crawl space or slab and why. Thanks in advance for all your wonderful help!

I have owned homes on both slab and now crawl. In TN I would say crawl is much better. It keeps the house off of the cold ground in winter. Probably does discourage termites, but most importantly to me would be, you can access your homes systems in the event of a problem. I would not want to dig up my floor if I had a plumbing issue in the slab. What a mess that would be. I went through that at work. There was a leak causing the drains to back up into our work area. They had to dig up the whole floor and send a camera down to find the break. It was a disgusting mess and I'm sure expensive too. I would take crawl anyday over slab. Especially in a place with winter months.

[bbkaren]

Not for nothin' but my first instinct is to want a crawl space for tornado purposes, God forbid.

Plus, as long as it's dry down there, it's nice for storage; even if you just leave it with a gravel floor like my parents have. We kept tons of stuff in the crawl space.

Can't help with the termites though...knock wood. (not pun intended)

[Tinman313]

Definitely Crawl space. After living in Florida for many years I will definitely build my home in Tennessee with a crawl space. As KIM918 said easy access too all you plumbing and electric. And while designing the crawl space allow room for a storm shelter.
I had checked into a full basement and for the cost the for crawl space is less expensive. Depending where your building you may have solid rock only 3-4 feet down. The crawl space can work around that problem easier than a full basement........

[jkmewright]

We had a VERY exciting thread involving crawl vs slab on here not long ago. I am for crawl spaces all the way for all the reasons given above. I can't tell you how many times I have been under my home moving/adding cable to different spots and rooms, redirecting plumbing etc...

Let me tell ya a little story about a slab build home. My friend bought a BRAND NEW slab home in '04. In the fall of '05 we noticed that the trimwork in a couple of areas was crooked. No big deal. Pulled it down and straightened it up. Couple of cracks in the foundation. Again, no big deal. Fast forward only 3 years from purchase and now the kitchen and back side of the home has dropped 4"! You can actually put your fist between the blockwork. Now this single mother is in a lawsuit with the builder. Huge mess. Not saying this is typical but it's SCARY!

[2mares]

I have lived in houses with crawl spaces or basements all my life until I recently bought the house Im at now. I definatly prefer crawl space.

[Travelingal2]

Wow. Thanks to all for your input. I can definitely see the upside of the crawl space.

[Wordy]

This was really quite interesting to read. I learned something today. THANKS!!!

[Travelingal2]

Does anyone know a builder in the Overton/Putnam Counties that they would recommend?

[Tinman313]

And one more plus for a crawl space...... a Wine Cellar !