Slab Foundation

[fisher33]

i found another thread about this in the south carolina forum and it's almost the opposite of this one, more being for crawl space/ basements, but i think there's no clear cut answer (obviously) and based on your area, preferences, etc. both could be reasonable options.

thanks again!

[Barking Spider]

Slab vs raised foundation is a lot like Ford vs Chevy.

Both foundation systems have been and are currently used all over the world, and all building code jurisdictions allow them.

A slab is not necessarily cheaper to construct.

A lot of the decision to build one or the other has to do with soil type and contour, AND what type the builder prefers and has experience with. Another factor is what the houses around have. In Knoxville, we have a fairly even distribution of slabs, crawlspaces and basements, and it's almost always determined by the contour of the land.

That said, most condos are built on slab, except the ones that are on a sloped property.

To say that one or the other is better, or "wrong" is just like arguing about Fords and Chevy's, or PC's and Mac's. Each side can build a case for and against the other, equally convincing, but not necessarily accurate or valid.

BY the way, I'm a Mac guy at home, and have to use a PC on the job.

[linicx]

If you are in texas insatll tile or bamboo flooring. It will stop most mold problems as long as you keep water from standing on the floors..

Originally Posted by fisher33

i've done some searching and saw a few threads on slab foundations. It seems as though the major concerns are hard to access pipes, cold floors, and mildew. Along with ants in some places.

My husband and i like a house that is on slab foundation. The house is about 15-20 years old, rock fireplace, great neighborhood, etc., etc.

My dad is adamant against slab, saying they're what cheaply built houses are built on (we live in upstate, sc) and it's not the way houses are built anymore. He said he wouldn't pay any amount for a slab house - well this frustrates me because he's stubborn and i like this house! I trust my dad and want to go w/ what he says but he is a little skewed sometimes (as we all are) in believing what we wants to believe (we're just alike).

So, i need to find out what the real story is behind slab/ crawl space foundations. Is it bad owning a slab foundation home? Horror stories? Benefits?

This house would more than likely be a starter home and we'd probably stay in it for 4-5 years, maybe longer. Would it sell b/c it's on slab or would we have a hard time getting rid of it - for that fact only (other factors not considered)?

Thank you all!

[hdwell]

Homes where I live in Northern Louisiana are seldom ever built on piers with crawl space anymore. The last time that was the common construction practice was in the late 40s and early 50s. Rural zoning (if any) seems to permit this, but I don't see it in the cities. Maybe the terrain here is different from SC.

[s.burnett]

I'm looking at two homes built on slabs in Nebraska. They were built in 1950 and 1952. What exactly do I need to look for to determine if they had a proper moisture barrier laid. And since the homes are 60 some years old will the barrier still be protective.
Nebraska gets cold in the winter and I'm wondering if I'm going to feel like I'm walking on ice in one of these homes. Is there anyone out there that has a slab foundations in an area where there are winter temps down to zero?
I don't want to buy and then have regrets.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by s.burnett

I'm looking at two homes built on slabs in Nebraska. They were built in 1950 and 1952. What exactly do I need to look for to determine if they had a proper moisture barrier laid. And since the homes are 60 some years old will the barrier still be protective.
Nebraska gets cold in the winter and I'm wondering if I'm going to feel like I'm walking on ice in one of these homes. Is there anyone out there that has a slab foundations in an area where there are winter temps down to zero?
I don't want to buy and then have regrets.

Lets look at it this way-
If the homes were built in '50&'52, are still standing, and have no visible signs of foundation damage/repair, I'd say you're OK.

As far as the vapor barrier- there probably is none (due to the time they were built). But it's not exactly necessary depending on the grade around the house, drainage system(s), and soil type.

Due to the soil type(s) in Kansas, and weather conditions slab foundations don't have a stellar reputation. This is mostly due to the fact that builders build to the minimal requirements of the local AHJ.

[Okey Dokie]

I know people hate to think about resale when they are just looking to buy a house, but I'd consider the immediate area to see if slabs or basements are the norm. Many people who are used to having a basement wouldn't consider a slab house if a basement home is available. Of course, if every house is on a slab, then that's not a factor.

[Electrician4you]

Most houses in So Cal are now built on slab. I'm taking hundreds of thousands of houses from the 70s on are all slab built.
Anything built today is slab unless its a custom home and even those are slab. They did build raised floor/crawl space style for a long time and in older neighborhoods can still find them but. Not the norm these days. If it was built correctly there is nothing wrong with slab homes. I've lived in slab homes and in 25 years I had one rental that had a skAb leak. House was built in 1967 and in the garage a 1/2 inch water line developed a pinhole. I rented a jackhammer. Jack hammered the area soldered a new pipe mixed some concrete poured it smoothed it down and let it cure. Cost was 220 bucks. 120 for plumber, 80 for the jackhammer and 20 for concrete and mixing pan.


I don't care for raised foundation because they are noisier, can shift in earthquake ( not as big a deal in SC) and I never cared for the hollow sound.