We are in WA. building a home on a hill with sandy soil with a partial walkout basement (900') the rest crawlspace for about 1400' more. The plan is to insulate the slab, gravel, then polyethelene, and and two inch styrofoam insulation boards on that. I am the foam boards above the poly so radiant heat tubes to be attached. I am sealing the exterior walls with Xypex, then wrapping them with Polyethelene. I am putting a french drain around the base of the foundation. First, this house has 22 corners, do I need to use elbows to get the drain up into the corners or is laying itaround the perimeter sufficient? Second, is the overall plan sound or am I missing something? Mitch
Posts: 9 | Location: Washington State | Registered: 24 August 2005
Mitch, It sounds like you have most of your ducks in a row, however I would suggest the elbows at the corners to be on the safe side. I know you guys get a lot of rain in WA, I used to live in Tacoma. Just be sure to have an ample amount of stone down and landscape fabric between the stone and the soil to prevent soil migration and fouling of the foundation draining system. Also for your slab, I know that concrete suppliers say that you don't need 6x6 mesh for stability of the slab but it is helpful to attach and align radiant tubing especially if you're not using the under-slab channels. Any way as I said you seem to be on the right path so good luck.
Posts: 63 | Location: Farmville, VA | Registered: 15 August 2005
