Slab-on-grade
Slab-on-grade
(OP)
Building my first house with a slab-on-grade (3 1/2'') + frost walls (4'-6'' min) and a footing (30'' x 10'').
The excavation works has been completed yesterday evening. I was hoping for a rock foundation but instead I got a sandy-silt.
Asked to add a drain tile near the footing but the constructor said it wasn't necessary.
I wanted to install it just in case (it's not very expensive) but I might have trouble draining it to light (sealed sump pump might ne necessary).
Should I still ask for it?
The excavation works has been completed yesterday evening. I was hoping for a rock foundation but instead I got a sandy-silt.
Asked to add a drain tile near the footing but the constructor said it wasn't necessary.
I wanted to install it just in case (it's not very expensive) but I might have trouble draining it to light (sealed sump pump might ne necessary).
Should I still ask for it?
RE: Slab-on-grade
Why were you surprised that you didn't get "rock" for foundation? Did you not investigate the site soil conditions before committing to build?
Sandy silt (if that is a correct classification) can be problematic from several perspectives. Drainage will be slow, so if you have surface accumulation or subsurface cross flow, you'll have issues with moisture. Because of the "smearing", it looks more like a clayey material in your photo.
You should get the advice of a local geotechnical engineer.
RE: Slab-on-grade
Correct classification isn't known as we didn't investigate soil conditions except for a percolation test.
But it was a mixture of silt sand with some clay.
We did a ditch around the excavation to intercept most of the surface runoff (and some underground).
RE: Slab-on-grade
RE: Slab-on-grade
The subgrade is sand/gravel (95% proctor in 12'' layers).
Would you recommend at least 4'' ? And what about the drain tile?
RE: Slab-on-grade
RE: Slab-on-grade
RE: Slab-on-grade
How is the house to be heated? Any ductwork under the slab? How is the heated air getting to the floor area? Did you consider a slab with circulating heated water or air? Cold floors ain't fun.
What about plumbing? Are you able to get to it in case of building modifications later?
RE: Slab-on-grade
Freezing depth is 5' here.
There's one of the inside exterior foundation walls.
Clean sand and gravel will have less fine particules.
House will be heated with a hybrid heat pump system (electricity/propane)
No ductwork under the slab and no floor heating