[Strawbale] PEX, Concrete Slab, Fear of Death (by contractor)

[John Paul Ogden]

"Of course, the lack of cracking is due in part to proper preparation 
of the sub-strate."

Do you have the details as to how you dealt with the substrate properly?
I've often wondered what is the best way to deal with preparing the
substrate.

Thanks,
John Paul

-----Original Message-----
From: strawbale-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:strawbale-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Dion Hollenbeck
Sent: Monday, December 24, 2007 7:29 AM
To: greg at izzaboo.com; strawbale at listserv.repp.org
Subject: Re: [Strawbale] PEX, Concrete Slab, Fear of Death (by contractor)

At 10:05 PM 12/23/2007, Greg Haas wrote:
>What I've not found though is something to help me with the fear of death
my
>contractor is trying to put into me about impending cracks we'll get
>using XPS insulation (2"x4'x8') under the slab in our garage.


I did my workshop exactly this way.  It has NO signs of cracking 
except where the slab had purposeful crack control joints installed 
(vertical metal strips embedded in the concrete).  The workshop is 
30'x40'.  It has a 6" slab with PEX radiant heat embedded in the slab.

Of course, the lack of cracking is due in part to proper preparation 
of the sub-strate.  If you have disturbed the sub-soil and it starts 
settling, then whether or not you have XPS underneath, it will crack.

Add crack control joints on purpose, and bury them underneath 
interior walls if possible so that they do not show. Crack control is 
meant to allow stress relief in the places where you want it to happen/

And, bottom line, so what if it cracks in the garage!!  Get a little 
cement repair mix and seal the cracks back up.

Disclaimer - My experience is from only one building, I am not a 
contractor or an architect.  Your circumstances may be different from mine.

regards,
dion

--
Dion Hollenbeck
Email: hollen at woodsprite.com    Home Page: http://www.woodsprite.com
Brewing Page: http://hbd.org/hollen   Toys: 98 4Runner, 86 4x4 PU


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