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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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Right – The raised slab foundation has a 3-ft stem wall of filled concrete block, then is back-filled with compacted dirt and crushed rock, then insulated with 1” rigid foam covered with taped vapor barrier, under a floor slab.

Right – The raised slab foundation has a 3-ft stem wall of filled concrete block, then is back-filled with compacted dirt and crushed rock, then insulated with 1” rigid foam covered with taped vapor barrier, under a floor slab.

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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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This assembly can be used to thermally isolate heated or partially heated garages with slab foundations from the exterior in multifamily row houses/townhouses in IECC Climate Zones 3 and higher.

This assembly can be used to thermally isolate heated or partially heated garages with slab foundations from the exterior in multifamily row houses/townhouses in IECC Climate Zones 3 and higher.

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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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A sill gasket is installed under the two layers of fire-rated gypsum providing air sealing at the foundation slab in this 2-hour fire wall separating two units in a multifamily row house building

A sill gasket is installed under the two layers of fire-rated gypsum providing air sealing at the foundation slab in this 2-hour fire wall separating two units in a multifamily row house building

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A resilient multifamily building in Puerto Rico constructed of concrete on a raised slab foundation with a hip roof design for wind resistance and deep overhangs and permanent awnings to keep sun and rain off windows.

A resilient multifamily building in Puerto Rico constructed of concrete on a raised slab foundation with a hip roof design for wind resistance and deep overhangs and permanent awnings to keep sun and rain off windows.

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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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Insulate a monolithic concrete slab above the slab with rigid foam

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A monolithic concrete slab is insulated on the exterior slab edge with rigid foam

A monolithic concrete slab is insulated on the exterior slab edge with rigid foam

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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.

Concrete Slab over Polyethylene

Video

Video describing concrete slab over polyethylene barrier.

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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Slab-on-grade radon control techniques

Slab-on-grade radon control techniques

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Right – The slab is coated with two coats of epoxy paint to minimize moisture transfer through the slab from the ground.

Right – The slab is coated with two coats of epoxy paint to minimize moisture transfer through the slab from the ground.

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Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

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