Dan asks: I am renovating an older house and am installing radiant heating on top of the existing slab-on-grade. I am planning to use 1.5 inches of foam board, which gives me R-7.5. Is that going to be enough R-value? Also what should the density be of the insulation foam board be? On top of the insulation and radiant tubing, I am thinking of pouring self-leveling Gyp-Crete. … [Read more...] about Insulating a Radiant Slab
Foundations
Building on Filled Land
Mike writes: I purchased a lot that was owned by the city I live in. Years ago the city used the lot as a dump for tree stumps, chunks of concrete, brick, and cut logs. The builder discovered the fill when excavating for the foundation. Since he could not build on top of this, he had to dig much deeper and use much more material, which ended up costing me more than $10,000 out … [Read more...] about Building on Filled Land
How Much Slope for Good Site Drainage?
Keith writes: Is there any recommendation to how high the grade of a home needs to be above an existing drainage ditch. What is the typical elevation above the ditch needed to get water flowing? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: Many basement water problems result from rain and snow melt that runs of the roof, pools around the foundation, and then runs down the … [Read more...] about How Much Slope for Good Site Drainage?
Drying and Repairing a Flooded Basement
Darlene S. writes: Our finished basement, which we rent out as an apartment, was flooded when the incoming well water hose clamp let go while we were out of town. We came home to over one foot of water. We are retired/disabled and live on a fixed income that relies on the revenue from the “in-law” apartment to pay our mortgage. The water clean-up company is eating up all of … [Read more...] about Drying and Repairing a Flooded Basement