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Message
re: Post Tension Slab
Posted on 3/8/15 at 8:55 am to daviddsims
Posted on 3/8/15 at 8:55 am to daviddsims
They are doing post tension more because it is CHEAPER. That is it. I've seen so many with snapped cables. They are fast and cheap to do.
If you prepare the soil and do the traditional slab right (sizing of beams, placement and size of steel) it is better.
If you prepare the soil and do the traditional slab right (sizing of beams, placement and size of steel) it is better.
1
Posted on 3/8/15 at 10:27 am to Old Sarge
quote:
If you prepare the soil and do the traditional slab right (sizing of beams, placement and size of steel) it is better.
I've built 200+ turn key units as a contractor and also run a large framing business which we frame 100-150 units a year. I've seen it all when it comes to foundations and you can't make me believe PT is better. On a large apartment building that I was the GC on we did footings 18''wide x 24'' deep from bottom of footing to the top of the 4" slab with 8 #5 bars on exterior load bearing walls and 12"x16" grade beams with 4 #5 bars under all load bearing interior walls with a 4" capillary break under the slab. This was for 2 story units with brick verneer on first floor and siding on second. I just framed some 3 story units on PT that are brick verneer for 3 stories and the footing portion of the slab was 12"x12" including the brick ledge with a 4" slab. You can't make me believe they are better but based off of what I've seen they are probably less expensive because of the use of so much less concrete.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 10:29 am to daviddsims
a dollar spent in geotechnical investigation saves $1000 of repairs later
Posted on 3/8/15 at 10:41 am to Porker Face
Sounds like most people just build and hope for the best. This is one area I do not want to skimp on so all of the advice is very appreciated. Now finding local resources that actually do some of these things might be the tricky part.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 10:45 am to daviddsims
Exactly.
Hopefully, you have a good builder that understands the soil he is working with.
Hopefully, you have a good builder that understands the soil he is working with.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 10:52 am to VetteGuy
Seriously considering Subbing the job out myself. I know there are many drawbacks but I feel like I have the time and project management skills to pull it off. Of course I am going to get bids from a GC but there are certain areas such as spray foam and HVAC that I want to play a big part in the design.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:03 am to daviddsims
I did that, specifaclly for the reasons you mentioned.
I wouldn't do it again.
I had great subs of the most part, but it was still a huge PITA.
I ended up with a great house, very energy efficent for the size, but I would rather have a GC that could deal with some of the subs.
I wouldn't do it again.
I had great subs of the most part, but it was still a huge PITA.
I ended up with a great house, very energy efficent for the size, but I would rather have a GC that could deal with some of the subs.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:08 am to daviddsims
Also, avoid hybrid water heaters.
They are too noisy to be in a foamed attic, IMO. Especially since you will probably locate one over or near the master bath, which is of course located near the master bedroom.
Are you doing a 2 story?
They are too noisy to be in a foamed attic, IMO. Especially since you will probably locate one over or near the master bath, which is of course located near the master bedroom.
Are you doing a 2 story?
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:12 am to VetteGuy
It is a two story house. It is interesting to hear stories about doing it yourself. Some horror stories and some who would do it again.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:16 am to VetteGuy
It sucks that it's almost impossible to build your own these days.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:17 am to daviddsims
Make sure your plumbing drain from the second story dosent go through an interior, living area, wall. If it has to, use iron pipe. Otherwise, it will be noisy.
A good framer can salvage an architect's numerous errors. Good framers are gold.
A good framer can salvage an architect's numerous errors. Good framers are gold.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:18 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Difficult and time-consuming, but it can be done.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:21 am to VetteGuy
I'm doing it next year.
I'm somewhat dreading it though. It's gonna be a major pain in the arse with my work schedule.
I'm somewhat dreading it though. It's gonna be a major pain in the arse with my work schedule.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:22 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Prayers sent. 
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:36 am to VetteGuy
Good suggestions. Anymore?
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:40 am to daviddsims
Let me think...
Oh yeah, on foam...
Note that many shingle companies will void the warranty if you use foam in the attic (against roof decking).
Now shingle warranties are pretty damn worthless anyway, but don't give them an easy reason.
Just pick one that is OK with foam.
Oh yeah, on foam...
Note that many shingle companies will void the warranty if you use foam in the attic (against roof decking).
Now shingle warranties are pretty damn worthless anyway, but don't give them an easy reason.
Just pick one that is OK with foam.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:49 am to daviddsims
Being the owner of a design/build post tension contracting company, I run across many individual home owners who have the same concern as you do. There are many advantages of PT systems but even greater advantages when all phases of foundation construction are done properly. Costs of PT slabs are relative to the initial design by a plan designer or architect. PT slabs, which are required to be engineered, will be more cost effective nearly 90% of the time compared to conventionally reinforced slabs. Without getting into an hour long response, PT slabs design calculations allow PT slabs to be stronger structurally, completed faster, and cost effecient. Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/lafoundations to see some of the projects we have completed. Would be more than happy to field any of your calls or messages regarding PT slab construction and pricing.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 11:54 am to daviddsims
I was in the concrete design and production industry for 15 years. PT slabs were only used in concrete frame multi-story buildings. We produced a typical high early mix using Type III cement to achieve 70 or 75% of design strength in as little as 24 hours. That allowed the contractor to stress the tendons and move the forms to the next level on a one week cycle. Basically.....going vertical a floor per week.
If you really want the strongest slab available, consider talking to the ready mix producer about what their charge per yard would be to add Forta-Ferro Structural Fiber. It is not the same as the typical fiber used in driveways and sidewalks for plastic shrinkage control. It is a true multi strand 2 1/4" fiber dosed at a rate of 3-30lbs per yard. A Residential SOG application, when used with re-bar is typically around 4-7 lbs per yard. It is dosed higher when specified by Structural Engineers on mezzanine slabs to replace re-bar. You won't be doing that. You would just be adding the fiber to supplement the re-bar.
If you really want the strongest slab available, consider talking to the ready mix producer about what their charge per yard would be to add Forta-Ferro Structural Fiber. It is not the same as the typical fiber used in driveways and sidewalks for plastic shrinkage control. It is a true multi strand 2 1/4" fiber dosed at a rate of 3-30lbs per yard. A Residential SOG application, when used with re-bar is typically around 4-7 lbs per yard. It is dosed higher when specified by Structural Engineers on mezzanine slabs to replace re-bar. You won't be doing that. You would just be adding the fiber to supplement the re-bar.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 12:02 pm to rjo_lsu
This.
If you go PT.
If you go PT.
Posted on 3/8/15 at 12:21 pm to rjo_lsu
Email?
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