Concrete question: Diff b/t a "floating slab" and "non floating slab?"

[MichaelD]

WTH? Looking at houses. Some tout a "full floating slab" foundation. As opposed to what? A "non floating slab?" 😕

Somebody explain this crap to me, please.

 

[MikeMike]

from what i know, floating concrete is a way of finishing it, smoothing it out. but i am not sure.

MIKE

 

[Pliablemoose]

A floating slab is just set on the dirt/non floating has piers underneath it...

Supposedly the piers would make it sturdier, less prone to cracking/failure.

A floating slab should last your lifetime though.

 

[PG]

Disclaimer: I could be wrong.

OK, with that out of the way, I thought a full floating slab meant that you don't have any footings to keep it in place so it could move, etc. A non-floating slab would have footings that extend below the frost line and therefore it will stay in place and be more secure.

 

[MichaelD]

OK, that makes sense. Thanks very much. Much to my dismay, most house are built on a floating slab. What's up with this? Should I be worried about it?

I plan on making the basement of whatever house I buy into a dedicated HT room. Don't want any leaks or crap like that. :Q

 

[Talon]

A floating slab concrete floor is usually one that is not tied to the foundation walls.

 

[Howard]

Shouldn't be worried.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
OK, that makes sense. Thanks very much. Much to my dismay, most house are built on a floating slab. What's up with this? Should I be worried about it?

I plan on making the basement of whatever house I buy into a dedicated HT room. Don't want any leaks or crap like that. :Q

If it's on a slab, there is no basement.

Edit: let me clarify. Generally in real estate listings it won't even mention the word "slab" if there is a basement. A slab almost always refers to a pad of concrete poured that the house sits directly on.

 

[MichaelD]

Cool. Thanks Bunker. 🙂

 

[Anubis]

yea slab = no basement

they use them in places where you cant dig one out like if you build you house on a cliff or whatever

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Anubis
yea slab = no basement

they use them in places where you cant dig one out like if you build you house on a cliff or whatever

They also use them to save $$, even in areas where you could easily dig a basement.

 

[MichaelD]

My house will have a basement. 🙂 Unless I wind up with a screaming good deal on a basement-less house.

 

[h8red]

my house doesn't have a basement and I really don't miss it. I really thought I would but I have a huge garage for me to play in so it doesn't bother me in the least

 

[aircooled]

Click and scroll

 

[PG]

Nice link aircooled, that's a good site to have bookmarked.