Whether you’re building a house or trying to buy one it is very important to know what type of foundation you’re looking for and one of those foundations is a slab basement.
What is a slab basement?
A slab basement is basically a concrete basement without any type of footing. A slab foundation is usually made by building the walls of the basement and then pouring concrete on the floor that is usually 4 to 6 inches thick in the centre. Slap foundations lack any type of crawlspaces and there is no space under the foundation so slab foundations reduce the risk of damage from flooding or leaking of gas. Typically a slab basement is poured into a structure that was previously built without a concrete basement floor the floor of the building is first levelled out to create a smooth flat base onto which the concrete is poured On through a window or a door.
The final product is its slab basement which is much cleaner, stable and smoother than the dirt floor it replaced. Before boring the concrete, all the pipes and electrical equipment including the pump if you have installed it, should be set up so that after you pour the concrete everything is included in it. The concrete slab is often placed on a layer of sand for drainage or to act as a cushion. The slab basement also has less risk of damage in certain instances as compared to other foundations. Steel rods may also be placed within the concrete floor which will increase your strength to allow it to withstand the weight of the house.
Advantages of slab basement
A slab basement Is a uniform slab of concrete that lacks any type of crawlspaces or any type of space beneath it, therefore, reducing damage from flooding or gases. They also do not allow any type of pests Like termites to enter the building Reducing the chance of wooden joints being eaten out that are placed on the concrete floor. Slabs are also treated with insecticides and pesticides before so that there are no insects nesting beneath the concrete floor. However, they can enter Through the walls.
They also reduce the cost of building by a marginal amount, off as much as $10,000. As there or no crawlspaces or basement to budget for the house can be made at a cheaper price. It also takes less time to dry and therefore less downtime meaning that the construction can move along without delay there is no need to wait several days for the concrete basement to be poured and then dry. It also requires fewer steps to be formed thus allowing people to move in faster to their homes. This is very advantageous for four people who are not completely healthy or whose lease is coming to an end.
Disadvantages of slab basement
Disadvantages of slab basement are that there can be cracks formed as the slab basement moves up and down in response to heat and cold thus leading to cracks. Also, the heating and cooling systems in addition to insulation must also be installed on the ground floor to retain the proper temperature thus also reducing the living space. Another disadvantage would be that slap basements are unattractive or unappealing to the eye. In addition to this, Even if the insects and termites can not enter the house through the floor, they can also enter through the walls which are especially so if the walls are made out of wood.
What is a floating slab basement?
A floating slab basement basically is a concrete slab without any type of anchoring. Floating slab basements are used where there is a need for low load bearing for the structure. A floating slab basement basically rests on the water to allow some breathing room for the slab to move up and down in response to heat and cold. However, mostly this problem can be solved by building the slab basement below the frost line.
However, one issue that affects slab basements would be water in wet areas of the slab basement where water has seeped in and its hydraulic pressure causes the slab basement to move up and down eventually resulting in cracks. However, this problem can be solved by inserting a sump pump near the lowest corner of the room. Floating slabs are mainly used as foundations for small types of structures like sheds, garages or small manufacturing workshops. These provide less strength as compared to traditional slab basements.
How do you finish a slab basement?
You can place flooring material like tiles or marble on the slab basement or you can do simple finishing like adding colour, cutting tile patterns or acid staining. Usually, methods such as colouring or designing the slab basement are used as these are more cost-effective. However, people also use tiles or marble if they want to elevate the living conditions of the house and make it more luxurious.
Is it cheaper to build on a slab basement?
On average for a modest home, a slab basement can cost anywhere from around 20,000 to $30,000 and when you put in flooring and a subfloor it can increase the cost to around $40,000 however it will still on average cost about $10,000 cheaper than most foundations and also allow people to move in faster to their home. In short, a slab basement is much cheaper than a basement made out of rocks or other foundations. Not only is it cheaper but it also gives the same amount of strength as one would get from other foundations that are significantly more expensive. It doesn’t lose out to any other type of foundation in regards to strength or support.
Which regions are better for slab basements?
Slab basements are better for people living in warmer climates as the colder climates may cause the slab to freeze and in turn result in cracks. Warmer climates have a more neutral temperature year round, therefore, maintaining the slab in perfect condition and not allowing any cracks to form and ruining the smoothness and beauty of the slab.
