Replies

1. 
   IdahoDon | Feb 13, 2006 02:17pm | #1

   Others with more experience will surely chime in, but I did look into things for a couple small projects we've done.

   Done right, all the indications are the pt foundations will last indefinitely.  Done poorly, they're good for nothing and will surely have to be replaced, beit 10, 20 or 30 years down the road.

   Most people I've talked with who have actually done full foundations this way didn't know enough to check the type of pt wood that was used, as the requirements for foundations is much higher than decks and whatnot. 

   I've seen a $1.5m house built with substandard pt in the foundation, wrong amount of gravel in the footer, no moisture barrier or water drainage system under the gravel, and all this on a clay hillside.  I had to ask at the lumber yard that supplied the pt what was ordered and from there figured the rest of it was screwed up.  Upon checking it out in person, sure enough it was screwed up.  :-)

   Doesn't Taunton's For Pros foundation book have an article on pt foundations?

   Cheers,

   Don

    

    

   Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.

2. 
   johnnyd | Feb 13, 2006 04:20pm | #2

   There are a 'couple of builders in my area who do these.  Echoing the other reply, it is important that the right kind of footings....pea gravel or washed crushed rock...be used.  It is particularily important that the plywood and stuctural wood be treated to .60.

   Try reading this:

   http://newstore.southernpine.com/cgi-bin/newsopine/product?;111;