Foundations: Slab vs. Crawl Space/Basement

[Cinnamon Girl]

We are in the process of looking for a house in the Charlotte area - one thing I'm noticing about the south is that it's common for houses to be built on slabs and uncommon for full basements. We are pretty much looking at either a crawl space or slab foundation. I've done some initial research into the two and it's looking like we may want to go with the crawl, since if there are any piping problems, etc. with a slab it can be difficult to repair.

But just wondering if any MWers have any info as well - are slab houses OK, particularly in the south, or should I really avoid them if at all possible? It seems especially that the newer homes are built on slabs, I guess because they're cheaper to build.

[Lunamoth]

I live in Texas, and have experienced both. The house on pier and beam construction (what you're calling a crawl space) was nice, but I felt that I couldn't walk in it naturally without causing a rattle everywhere. Could be because it was built in 1953. Anyway, pier and beam, at least in these bungaloes, meant the pipes were not insultated very well and would freeze in January. Not good.

I have moved into a slab house (had lived in one in Florida as well) and I'm happier. My back doesn't hurt as much, because I'm walking more naturally. The floors are cool during these dreadful long hot summers. And I'm not sure where fixing the plumbing would be a problem, since it goes through the walls, rather than under the house.

Edited to add: I forgot about the creatures. Having the crawl space under the first house, we had a family of opossums move in there. And there were bugs - ants, roaches, etc, that would come in via under the house and up through the walls. Shouldn't be a problem with newer construction, but with an old house there was always a way for them to get into the actual living areas. With the slab, there are fewer avenues for unwanted visitors.

[Cinnamon Girl]

And I'm not sure where fixing the plumbing would be a problem, since it goes through the walls, rather than under the house.
I think it depends on the particular construction, but all of the construction sites I've been looking at say that the piping (from the house to the well or whathave you) goes underneath or in the slab, so if there are leaks or other problems it's very difficult to repair.


Edited to add: I forgot about the creatures. Having the crawl space under the first house, we had a family of opossums move in there. And there were bugs - ants, roaches, etc, that would come in via under the house and up through the walls. Shouldn't be a problem with newer construction, but with an old house there was always a way for them to get into the actual living areas. With the slab, there are fewer avenues for unwanted visitors.
That's a very good point - I definitely don't want to be dealing with any critters, especially bugs. :lookaroun

Thanks for the input - I think I'm going to contact a house inspector or something and see what they say, too.

[Sonic Seamus]

Typically crawl spaces are done in colder climates where you have to contend with frost depth. In southern states it's not such a big deal.

I like having crawl spaces because when you have to wire in cable, satellite, network or speaker wire, you can run it under the house instead of around it or down through the ceiling and walls. If it's properly sealed you shouldnt have to worry about much more than an occational bug or spider.

As for floor stabilty, you should take that up with your builder (or agent if you buying an existing house). Post and beam systems create squeeks and such because over time the wood warps. If your floor is built from engineered trusses or I-joists, you wont have this problem or the a "squishy" floor.

[Mithrea]

I've lived in houses with a pad, with a crawlspace, with a basement, on top of a garage and up on stilts. Since you can't have stilts, go with a pad. I know you well enough to know you'd rather have a plumbing issue that's slightly more expensive than to put up with all the nasty, icky, rotting, musty things that come with a crawlspace--especially since you have cats. I could tell you stories, but I don't want to recount them! :p

[Lunamoth]

If you end up with a crawlspace, make sure the builder has put sheeting (I thnk it's plastic?) down under the house. Crawlspaces are a perfect place for mold to grow, since it's damp and dark and cool.

[LadyTrinity]

I've experienced 3 ...

Full basement < My fav

Crawl Space < Alright

No Basement < Ahh

They all have their pro's and con's.. and here is my 2 cents about all three..

Full basement is good because you can store all your junk and when there is bad weather you have shelter. Full basements can be bad because there is always something that needs to be fixed down there.. and they are also scary!

Crawl space is good because you don't have to maintain it like a full basement and you can store a few things.. PLUS you have it to go to when there is bad weather. It can be bad because it limits you to junk storage.

No basement... My friends family does fine with out a basement.. but I thought it was so odd lol.. No place to go when you have tornado warnings... and no place to store excess house wares. But... if there is no basement.. there is no basement maitnence

[Cinnamon Girl]

Well, we went down to Charlotte this weekend to house hunt and the mix included both crawl space and slabs. But the one we've put an offer on (and fingers crossed we get it!) is built on a slab, and was built in 1986. We've scheduled an inspection on it so that should pick up any major structural issues - hopefully there won't be any!

Thanks for the input, everyone. :smile: