There are two types of foundations that you have to consider when building a home. *The first is the “raised” foundation, which is a footing created around the perimeter of the building on which it has a nailed sill or bottom plate, and then they build the house on top. Many older homes, up through the early 70s, were constructed with crawl spaces and with raised foundations. Almost all but the oldest homes have large lag bolts to keep the house bolted securely to the foundation.
Today, however, excavating the space within the footings, setting forms for the footings, and building the raised bottom are very material heavy and expensive. As a result, builders prefer the concrete slab foundation, which is both faster to construct and cheaper. Many developers will set “utility lines” down into the foundation, such as water lines, and cables. Most of the time, this is fine, but if there the home is exposed to improper drainage and “heaving” occurs, it can break all of the utilities in the slab, and the only way to repair it is to jackhammer out the section of the paver to get to the service line. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be very expensive to fix. Owners of homes with slab foundations must be wary to ensure that water drainage in and around the home is always “positive.” It means it’s leading away from the building.
Well-made stem raised foundations, like those used for crawlspaces, seem to settle fairly evenly with time, whereas slabs are prone to inconsistent settling and cracking. It depends on where you live which can determine what kind of foundation you need.
Slabs are better if you’re in an extremely wet location, but they should raise the block on about a foot of fill. Slab foundation also provides more stability of the house. If you see a house that’s slanted, then the foundation has a major problem. Look at the structure and base when you preview homes. Any cracks or inclined areas should be checked out by professionals. When in doubt, bring in a contractor to inspect.
Pros of a Raised Foundation
Raised foundation homes, even with their deeper footings, will move, and it is equally as important to maintain drainage around the raised foundation. But, you’ll also have easier access to all utilities–water lines, electrical lines, and heating/ventilation. The only thing that one will see in an older home is “expansion cracks” in the drywall often around the tops of doors and at the corners of the home. The reason, of course, is that the building is moving ever so slightly, and, over time, drywall cracks will appear.
Raised houses are apparently simpler to walk and stand on than concrete slabs. While a concrete slab may be easier to clean in places like the kitchen, workshop or bathroom, it’s also harder on the body. If you live in a flood-prone area, you’ll pay less insurance for a raised floor system.
Raised floors are warmer than slabbed ones. Concrete tends to hold cold. If the concrete slab is on the ground, it will also tend to pick moisture up into the home and be a constant source of mold. This mildew can be very dangerous and expensive if not controlled.
Raised floors allow homeowners to relocate plumbing much easier than with a slab foundation. Pipes set into concrete slab are in stone. Plumbing requires tearing up the concrete floor and re-pouring it to move a kitchen sink or toilet. With a raised floor, you’ll have easy access to all your pipes.
Pros of a Slab
Some of the advantages of a paving stone include low maintenance. Once sealed and finished, a concrete floor is essentially hassle free. If sealed, there aren’t a whole lot of things that will penetrate the seal. Dropping objects on the concrete will do more harm to the object. So, don’t drop your phone on a concrete floor! If the concrete does manage to get damaged, it’s a very easy fix. You can paint or stain concrete to look like wood, brick or tile. Heating elements can be installed in the concrete to protect your home from the winter months. Concrete, once laid, can also be tiled, carpeted or even finished in a variety of colors. A slab does have style options, for those that find this to be important.
Conclusion
When it comes to slab vs. raised foundations, several factors need to consider. One of the most important reasons is the area in which you For example, if you reside in an area prone to earthquakes, a raised foundation would do more in the way of protection. This reason is the same if you lived in flood- prone areas. However, if you’re in an area prone to mold, you might want to go with a slab.
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