question about basement floor

[myfs_77438]

Hi Cecil:

I'm house hunting and this houseI found seems tobe aperfect house with thefront door, the master bedroom,and other parts of the house in the right direction according to the house hunting report.

One thing that I'm not sure about is that the basementfloor is made of wood instead of concrete.The reason forhaving awood flooris that there might be a problem with bentonite (that causes the soil to expand due to excess moisture in the soil), so if the basement floor is concrete then it will crack when the soil expands. So the builder builds the basement floor out of wood 18 inches above the soil with ventilation underneath to get the moisture and radon out. The basement foundation walls are stillmade out of concrete. Would this still qualify for a solid stable foundation for the house even though the basement floor is made out of wood?

Thankyou very much,

Hoa

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Hoa Luong,

Structural engineers or foundation experts are similar to doctors.

In fact, many of them are certified in their profession. And given their professional accrediations, it is best to rely on their judgement.

Surprisingly, sometimes, good quality wood may even lasts much longer than as mentioned the unexpected high expansion and contraction.

It is best therefore to leave it to the professional competence of these people. In fact, often under building regulations, (touch wood) but should there be a structural problem in the future, these people, may be held accountable.

Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/29/2004 11:38:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:

Hi Cecil:

I'm house hunting and this

houseI found seems

tobe aperfect

house with thefront

door, the master

bedroom,and other parts

of the house in the right

direction according to the

house hunting report.

One thing that I'm not sure

about is that the

basementfloor is made of

wood instead of

concrete.The

reason forhaving

awood flooris that

there might be a problem with

bentonite (that causes the

soil to expand due to excess

moisture in the soil), so if

the basement floor is concrete

then it will crack when the

soil expands. So the

builder builds the basement

floor out of wood 18 inches

above the soil with

ventilation underneath to get

the moisture and radon

out. The basement

foundation walls are

stillmade out of

concrete. Would this

still qualify for a solid

stable foundation for the

house even though the basement

floor is made out of wood?

Thankyou very much,

Hoa