Would you do it? The house was built in 1986, with a super well detailed insulation system, in perfect shape and at the right price in a desireable location. I didn’t even notice it on my initial viewing of the house…the inspector pointed it out. The basement is finished as far as drywall, so there is no good view of it from the inside, but there is absolutely zero evidence of any moisture issues.
The exterior detailing looks very, very well done. The inspector said he has seen similar foundations from he early 70s in the area that are in perfect shape…also, the house in question was built as some sort of demonstration project by the state power company…so there is reason to believe they generally followed best practices. In addition, the house has 10″ thick walls and some passive solar features that contribute to a sub $30/month heat bills…in Montana.
What do you guys think? Would you buy it?
edit: just thinking of your questions already…the soil has very good drainage. The valley floor is the bottom of an old glacial lake, and the soil is generally large river rock and sand.
Edited 3/29/2008 12:22 pm ET by jesse
Replies
Given everything you say about it, I wouldn't have any reservations about the wood foundation. It's not uncommon and if you keep it maintained, should never pose any problems. After all, look at how many historic homes are build on wood pier foundations. I think after 20+ years, any issues would have shown up by now.
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If the house fit my lifestyle in all other ways, I would jump at the chance to buy it
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The question is whether it's built to the specifications of the Treated Wood Foundation Foundation or whatever they call themselves, and to which version of the specs. There were some problems with foundations built prior to about 1980 due to insufficient waterproofing on the outside or some such. The Foundation, which provided warranties for the foundations, took a bath.
But if it was built in '86 and still no signs of water inside then it's probably a fairly safe bet. I'd buy it, especially given the history.
Do keep in mind, though, that having the foundation makes it harder to sell, and effectively knocks several $K off the price. Not the house to buy for flipping.
"There were some problems with foundations built prior to about 1980 due to insufficient waterproofing on the outside or some such."The funny thing about that is how many block basements have we all seen from any era that have moisture issues due to insufficient waterproofing?Shows how important proper waterproofing is no matter what the system(but especially a wood system).I've seen a few, and they were waterproofed exceptionally well. I wouldn't hesitate buying one if it showed no sign of water damage, but I would want to be convinced that steps weren't taken recently to hide that fact!John Svenson, builder, remodeler, NE Ohio
sure.......I believe every house I built in Alaska had a wood foundation..........
My first reaction was - NO! but after reading your description it sounds great - especially the energy bill thing...
Question - the the home inspector use a (wood) moisture meter?
BTW - some one said they are common - I've never seen one - must be a regional thing. In my building code book I have those pages stapled together - so that when I quickly flip through I don't even look at the pages that don't pertain to me. There are sections on metal framed buildings too - stapled together.
Edited 3/29/2008 5:43 pm ET by Matt
The very most important thing to know is what the outer membrane and detail is and if a footing drain was installed. Make sure you see where it runs to daylight or a sump. Some of the early waterproofing used only adhesive and 6 mil plastic bedded in it. With sand backfill, that would probably be fine, but i like the tougher plastic or rubber membranes for more insurance with glacial till backfill.
You know i'm a fan of my wood basement, even moreso after recently researching it more fully for the thread i did on them not long ago in the "green" folder and i'd definitely build this way again, unless i went with SIPS rated for burial instead. Yes, they exist, but i'm not sure they are made locally.
I read high estimates that 400,000 homes in North American were built with treated wood foundations. Is they leaked as readily as all the badly detailed concrete and block ones do, you'd hear an outcry against them, but the outcry is always about 'resale', not livability.
Is they leaked as readily as all the badly detailed concrete and block ones do, you'd hear an outcry against them, but the outcry is always about 'resale', not livability.
Bingo! Might very well work great, but resale here would definitely be a problem.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Several years ago, some friends bought a Victorian that was built in the mid-1890's. The "foundation" was 16" x 16" redwood beams that had been cut from the hearts of redwood trees. (In those days, old growth redwood was everywhere).
The beams had been laid on a gravel base with excellent drainage which had been maintained for almost 100 years. If the beams had deteriorated, there was no obvious sign of it. They looked like they had been laid down within the past month or so.
The city made our friends raise the house and replace the beams with a poured foundation, but I think they recovered the cost of the new foundation by selling the beams.
I wouldn't hesitate 1 minute. In fact I would prefer the wood if done right and graded properly.
In my last house I complained to the tax assessor that my block walls were buckling etc and the repairs would be costly. His answer was they all have problems.
It sounds like you should go for go.
wood foundations ain't nothing magic.
if the water stays outside ... doesn't matter what the foundation is.
done right ... and it's done right.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have personally seen the wood foundation piles (redwood) after they were exposed for retrofit work on the east abutment of the San Francisco- Oakland bay bridge.
They were 50 years old at the time, and still in great shape. granted this is not a house foundation, but it was common practice for a long time to use wooden pilings for "deep foundations"
I wood'nt have any concerns that I wood'nt have for any foundation.
I heard that most of the buildings in Venice, Italy were built on Cypress pilings that are still sound after hundreds of years.