Built a log cabin with walkout basement. Walkout has a frost wall at 4' and it continues on each side back 12'. Outside on the side and back is backfilled to 6' .
It will not be heated in winter. Under the 4" concrete floor I installed 2" styrofoam insulation out from the footings 2'. Any thing else I should do so no damage - heaving happens?
2006-12-08 13:08:49 · 8 answers · asked by Jerry P 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Speaking as a Building Inspector you have gone overboard. There is no complaints of exceeding the building code though, I only wish everyone would. Your 2" foam insulation board only is only required 2 ft in from the foundation wall and since you are not heating it in the winter the rest is a waste. The insulation under the floor slab is only there to prevent heat loss through the slab from a heated basement.
Otherwise, having your footings below the depth of frost penetration is your only defence to ice-lensing which causes heaving.
And yeah, I'm a little jealous of the log cabin.
2006-12-09 02:37:39 · answer #1 · answered by Building Inspector 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
heaving happens when the water freezes under the foundation and lifts it. if you footings are below frost depth then there are no problems. but because you mentioned that you do not plan to heat the cabin in the winter and it sounds like you are building it now I'd be concerned that the backfill in the basement might heave under the Styrofoam. so make sure you backfill is not water holding material like dirt. you may also consider heating the basement for several months until the moisture from the concrete has equalized with the surrounding backfill
2006-12-08 14:30:45 · answer #2 · answered by jrh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU SHOULDNT HAVE A PROBLEM IF THE FOOTINGS ARE BELOW YOUR GEOGPHICAL AREA FOR FROST, THE STROFORM IS STANDARD. IF U ARE NOT USING IT FOR LIVING QUARTERS, INSULATE THE FIRST FLOOR(BASEMENT CEILING) TO WHAT THE WIDTH OF THE FLOOR JOISTS. EX:5 1/2" -R19, 7 1/2 " -R22 ETC/
2006-12-08 13:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by john t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you made sure:
1. Your footings are below your local frost depth
2. You have good drainage
3. The ground slopes away from your foundation
2006-12-08 13:17:47 · answer #4 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Below, as the freeze line cannot be precisely predicted from year to year local codes normally specify a depth that is 50-100% deeper than the expected freeze line.
2016-05-22 21:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
probally wont hurt to add plastic sheeting on top of the strofoam as a wind barrier
2006-12-08 13:32:42 · answer #6 · answered by Fergie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did good. Go on to your next task.
2006-12-09 01:26:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like you are covered, unless you are in the Artic.
2006-12-08 13:23:37 · answer #8 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋