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Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

Spray foam extends down the inside of the foundation wall to the uninsulated slab; because the wall lacked exterior perimeter drainage, the slab was cut and an interior footing drain was installed.

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The floor slab is completely insulated with ICF foundation walls and R-20 (3 inches) of closed-cell foam that is sprayed directly onto the ground before pouring the slab.

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Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

Spray foam insulation extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by cutting the slab to install drainage mat against the wall and a new perimeter footing drain, along with rigid foam plastic above the slab.

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Right – Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide the insulated stem wall for the slab-on-grade foundation for this SIP house.

Right – Insulated concrete forms (ICFs) provide the insulated stem wall for the slab-on-grade foundation for this SIP house.

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Brick veneer framed wall supported by a concrete slab-on-grade foundation with a turn-down footing insulated on its top surface, showing anchorage of the wall to the foundation for seismic resistance

Brick veneer framed wall supported by a concrete slab-on-grade foundation with a turn-down footing insulated on its top surface, showing anchorage of the wall to the foundation for seismic resistance

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This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.

This Texas homes uses a slab foundation including a 4-in.-thick post-tensioned monolithic slab with turned-down edges poured over a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier and capillary break; slab edge insulation is not used due to termite risk.

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The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

The goal of foundation moisture management is to construct the basement, crawlspace, or slab in a way that keeps moisture from getting in in the first place

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A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

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Right – R-20 of XPS and polyiso rigid foam were added on the slab shelf that is part of this precast foundation wall system.

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Any holes through the vapor barrier installed over the basement floor slab are thoroughly sealed as part of the foundation water barrier system.

Any holes through the vapor barrier installed over the basement floor slab are thoroughly sealed as part of the foundation water barrier system.

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A layer of pea gravel or crushed stone, 4 inches thick and sloped 5%, provides a pest-resistant ground break around the perimeter of a slab foundation

A layer of pea gravel or crushed stone, 4 inches thick and sloped 5%, provides a pest-resistant ground break around the perimeter of a slab foundation

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Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

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Right – After installing the insulated concrete foundation wall panels, the builder installed underslab rigid foam, which was topped by 4 inches of crushed rock then the poured slab.

Right – After installing the insulated concrete foundation wall panels, the builder installed underslab rigid foam, which was topped by 4 inches of crushed rock then the poured slab.

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This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

This exterior insulated slab-on-grade monolithic grade beam foundation is protected from pests by termite shield at the sill plate, borate-treated framing, flashing at end of wall insulation, brick veneer over slab-edge insulation, and rock ground cover.

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This left-to-right sequence shows the method of wall extension to flood-proof a masonry house on a slab foundation. Here the new, raised floor is wood-framed over a wet-floodproofed crawlspace, but using fill to create a new raised slab is also an option.

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Between the ICF foundation walls, the builder sprayed closed-cell spray foam directly onto the gravel base to provide a vapor barrier and continuous layer of insulation under the slab.

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The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.

The foundation walls are ICF block providing two continuous layers (R-23) of insulation around the slab, which will sit on an additional 4 inches (R-20) of low-VOC EPS foam.

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Brick veneer is supported by a concrete stem wall thermally separated from the slab-on-grade foundation with turn-down footing which is also insulated on top; anchorage for seismic resistance is also shown

Brick veneer is supported by a concrete stem wall thermally separated from the slab-on-grade foundation with turn-down footing which is also insulated on top; anchorage for seismic resistance is also shown

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An externally insulated slab-on-grade is pest-protected by a metal termite shield under sill plate, metal-flashing-wrapped foam under siding, a removable inspection strip of PVC-covered foam, and 2 feet of gravel next to the foundation.

An externally insulated slab-on-grade is pest-protected by a metal termite shield under sill plate, metal-flashing-wrapped foam under siding, a removable inspection strip of PVC-covered foam, and 2 feet of gravel next to the foundation.

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Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and slab insulation

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Post-tensioned slab-on-grade with exterior and slab insulation

Post-tensioned slab-on-grade with exterior and slab insulation

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Slab Edge Insulation

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Slab-on-grade with masonry stem wall and interior and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with masonry stem wall and interior and slab insulation

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Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and under slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with concrete stem wall and under slab insulation

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Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam and exterior and slab insulation

Slab-on-grade with integral grade beam and exterior and slab insulation

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Pouring the slab

Pouring the slab

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Patio Slabs, Porch Slabs, Walkways, and Driveways Slope Away from House

Guide

Guide describing how to slope solid surfaces outside of a home so rainwater flows away from the home.

Well insulated slab

Well insulated slab

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The basement slab is wrapped in a blanket of insulation including R-27 of closed-cell spray foam under the slab and R-22 ICF blocks wrapping the slab edges.

The basement slab is wrapped in a blanket of insulation including R-27 of closed-cell spray foam under the slab and R-22 ICF blocks wrapping the slab edges.

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Building Enclosure: Foundation Overview

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