Replies

1. 
   SamT | Oct 22, 2004 01:53pm | #1

   >>Is the slab placed on top of the stemwall as well? Or is it placed up to the inside edge of the stemwall. I have seen diagrams of rebar from the slab bending 90 deg. and tying to the stemwall rebar. I wonder if this is correct because I have also seen pictures of the slab & stemwall separated by a fiberboard control joint.

   It depends. Mostly it depends on the designer/architect/engineer. But they've got their reasons

   Some of the reasons are:

   Custom, we've always done it that way;

   Termites/watercontrol, a stem wall provides a dam and keeps wood away from the soil;

   Structural support, rebar ties everything together;

   Esthetics, I dunno what that means. heheheh;

   Ease of application.

   But this is for a normal home, right? So, you want your sill plate and siding sitting on a continuous foundation/stem wall at least 6" above finished soil grade for termite and water protection.

   If you've got expansive soils, you don't want the slab sitting on the walls or a ledge. If you back fill with gravel or engineered soil, that is not a problem.

   If you've got wide temperature swings, you want an insulated thermal break between the slab and walls. Same for radient floor heat.

   A slab ledge costs more than a minimal bearing wall, but helps keep the edges from settling if you have poor backfilling practices.

   If you are heating the floor, you don't want rebar carrying heat out to the walls.

   The local building code may require that you build it their way.

   Pex. In the middle of the concrete or higher, all on top of 2" foam insul on top of a continuous unbroken vapor barrior. Some thick filter fabric as a cushion between the backfill and the VB to prevent it from poking holes in the VB. Old carpet works too.

   Well, at least I got to answer ONE of your questions clearly.

   Is Radon an issue?

   SamT

    

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   Change The Equation!

   47807.1 

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1. 
   savvy | Oct 23, 2004 06:00am | #2

   Thanks, Sam

   radon has never been an issue in this area, in fact it seems like I read an article a while back that concluded that radon is not as big a deal as origionally thought.

   also it is fairly mild here and nobody uses insulation for foundation work.

   You said you put pex in the middle of slab,were you refering to a hydronic heating system? I was actually wondering about pex for plumbing fixture supply rough-in.I thought it  was typically installed under slab. Would I have to invest in a bunch of special pex tools ?

   thanks Todd

1. 
   SamT | Oct 23, 2004 06:59am | #3

   DOH!

   Slab on grade!

   Yes, it is typically under the slab.

   Yes. You would need some special crimpers to attach the pex to the ends. At least a 1/2" and a 3/4". You'll aslo need a little specific education to know the ins and outs of PEX. A cutter. Maybe more.

   SamT 

   Change The Equation!

   47807.1 </

1. 
   donpapenburg | Oct 23, 2004 04:34pm | #4

   Buy  Kitek fittings and then no special tools are required. unless you want to buy the reamer ,but a regular remer will work.

1. 
   brownbagg | Oct 23, 2004 06:56pm | #5

   we put the slab on top of the stemwall

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Oct 24, 2004 02:57am | #6

   In south Texas the slab and the footings are poured monolithic.  That's all in one piece to you Yankees.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   DougU | Oct 24, 2004 05:41am | #7

   Come on Ed, Yankees are not the same as Aggies!

4. 
   Don | Oct 24, 2004 06:18am | #8

   Hey, Ed, you forgot the apostrophe in front of Yankees!

   DonThe GlassMasterworks - If it scratches, I etch it!

5. 
   FastEddie1 | Oct 27, 2004 02:52pm | #9

   Ok ... That's all in one piece to you apostrophe Yankees. 

   Sorry Don, that doesn't seem to help.Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt