BASC Search

Slab independent of foundation wall

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Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Right – Rigid foam is attached to the exterior of this foundation wall.

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Insulating Crawl Space Floors in Existing Homes

Guide

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

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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Wrong - Polyethylene sheeting should be lapped up sides of walls and pillars and taped

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Four inches of rigid foam separate the concrete slab from the ground and the foundation walls.

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Right-Polyethylene sheeting is correctly installed over aggregate and taped to pillars and foundation wall

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Rigid foam extends under the full slab and lines the inside edges of the foundation walls.

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Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Unvented Flat Roof, 2x4 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

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Right - Rigid foam is installed over a waterproofing membrane that has been applied to the basement foundation walls.

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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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The basement is constructed with precast concrete walls lined with R-21.3 foil-faced rigid foam while an R-10 layer of XPS rigid foam covers the ground under the slab.

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Seismic and Thermal Resistance in Slab-on-Grade Foundations with Turned-Down Footings (Monolithic Slabs)

Guide

Guide describing how to construct and retrofit homes built on slab-on-grade foundations in earthquake-prone areas to withstand seismic forces by properly installing wall-to-foundation connections.

Easy access

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Water intrusion

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Pouring the slab

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Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Thermal Bridges Redux, BSI-062

Reference

Article describing thermal bridging, construction practices that encourage thermal bridging, and solving thermal bridging through continuous exterior insulation.

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

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Slab independent of foundation wall

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Right – Rigid foam is attached to the exterior of this foundation wall.

Insulating Crawl Space Floors in Existing Homes

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

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.

Wrong - Polyethylene sheeting should be lapped up sides of walls and pillars and taped

Four inches of rigid foam separate the concrete slab from the ground and the foundation walls.

Right-Polyethylene sheeting is correctly installed over aggregate and taped to pillars and foundation wall

Rigid foam extends under the full slab and lines the inside edges of the foundation walls.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

2021 IECC Climate Zone 1A: Unvented Flat Roof, 2x4 Wall, Monolithic Slab on Grade

Right - Rigid foam is installed over a waterproofing membrane that has been applied to the basement foundation walls.

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

The basement is constructed with precast concrete walls lined with R-21.3 foil-faced rigid foam while an R-10 layer of XPS rigid foam covers the ground under the slab.

Seismic and Thermal Resistance in Slab-on-Grade Foundations with Turned-Down Footings (Monolithic Slabs)

Easy access

Water intrusion

Pouring the slab

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Thermal Bridges Redux, BSI-062

Good water management practices like sloping grade away from house, and installing gutters, perimeter drain pipe, a capillary break, and free-draining soils or drainage mat protect the foundation from water saturation.

A Bridge Too Far, BSI-005

Flood-Resistant Raised-Slab Foundations

Right - Basement slab with a capillary break of either gravel or a drainage mat.

Radon Fan

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floor - Polyethylene Sheeting under Concrete Slab