There are several different types of foundations that your home could have been built on. Whether your home sits on a crawl space, concrete slab, basement, or other foundation types, it’s important to keep the foundation intact for the safety of your home’s structure.
Every foundation type has its pros and cons, however, we here at BARRIER Waterproofing Systems recommend other foundation types over a Monolithic Slab foundation. In this article, we will explain the benefits and disadvantages of a monolithic slab foundation, as well as what solutions are available to you to maintain your current monolithic slab home.
Monolithic slabs are single-application “slab on grade” foundations that are poured. They are known as all-in-one pour or single pour foundations in the foundation repair industry. Simply put, monolithic slab foundations are made of a single pour of cement, with thicker concrete used in sections that support load-bearing walls around the perimeter.
The word monolithic derives from the Greek word monólithos, which means “made of one stone.” One of the most common foundations in the United States, these slabs typically measure 6 to 8 inches thick and are inexpensive to build.
How Do Monolithic Slabs Work?
Monolithic slabs offer a level, secure, and safe surface area upon which to build the framework and structure of your home. Given that a significant percentage of the home’s weight will be evenly distributed, the thicker perimeter gives additional reinforcement and stability. In other words, monolithic slabs work to distribute the weight of the house as equally as is feasible.
Monolithic Slab Foundation Benefits
For homeowners, monolithic slabs have some advantages:
- Monolithic Slabs are Energy-Efficient – As there is no open area beneath the foundation, it uses less energy to heat and cool your home than a stem wall or post-and-pad foundation.
- The installation of monolithic slabs is simple, and they cure more quickly than other cement foundation types.
Problems With Monolithic Slab Foundations
Our experts encounter many problems with monolithic foundation slabs while servicing residential homes across the state. Here are some of the conclusions below:
Risk of flooding in your home’s lower levels
Homes are raised only about 6 inches up from ground level with this foundation installation. This makes it much easier for high rising waters to enter your home easily.
Expensive repair costs
Damaged monolithic slabs are costly to repair since they consist of one solid piece of concrete material. If they become cracked or misshapen, the damage usually affects the integrity of the whole slab.
Value reduction when selling your home
Due to the nature of monolithic slabs incurring damage, they can lower the resale value of your home in some circumstances. Factors like age and condition will come into play, however, so be sure to check in on the health of your monolithic slab when planning to sell your home!
Other Problems With These Common Slabs
No matter how simple it is to install these foundations, there are some common issues that homeowners can still encounter.
- If your monolithic slab foundation happens to crack, some more serious damage can occur. If the crack is substantial enough, the walls can become separated from the slab (or “cold joints”). Once these narrow openings have been created, water, pests, and other problems can find their way into your home.
- A significant increase in moisture within the soil surrounding the home, in addition to improper construction, can affect the overall structure of your home on this slab foundation. Stable surfaces such as floors and walls can become unlevel in these circumstances.
- If the foundation experiences some shifting or movement, structures inside the home, such as doors and windows, can become affected. This can cause sticking doors and windows as well as cracks in the walls.
Situations That Call For Avoiding A Monolithic Slab Installation
Some home foundations just aren’t cut out for typical monolithic slab installation. Home contractors will choose an alternative foundation type for homes that feature such characteristics.
One such condition is a heavily sloping property. This is because much more concrete is needed to compensate for the lower end of the foundation slab to keep the slab level. Another condition is identified when the home has many dirt filled holes under the slab site. This creates a higher potential for shifting, which creates a higher potential for cracking in the final slab.
Flooding has had such a negative impact on monolithic slab homes, that measures like building codes have been established to prevent them from being installed in flood zones. When higher than normal water levels (as little as 6 inches in some cases) can cause flooding on these slabs, flood zones can present a huge risk for families residing in homes on these foundations.
When Should You Choose a Monolithic Slab Foundation?
This foundation is a great alternative for environments where the ground doesn’t freeze and where the temperature is moderate but not arid. Use a monolithic slab instead of a basement or crawlspace to improve energy efficiency.
Average Cost of a Monolithic Foundation
The average cost of a foundation can range from $4,600 to $20,000, depending on a number of variables. The location of your home, the size of your house, the type of reinforcements used in the concrete, its thickness, and the soil you are building on are some of the elements that affect the cost of the foundation.
Important Factors about Monolithic Footing
As previously mentioned, a monolithic foundation requires only one pour. This sole pour foundation, which is formed from a concrete floor with thicker portions underneath both sides, is constructed to replace the footers. The average thickness of a monolithic construction is only about 12 inches.
Monolithic slab foundations are best suited for level terrain. A lot of filler material is utilized to compensate for uneven land. Despite the accommodation, this might cause cracking problems if the ground is not properly compacted.
What Is Our “Bottom Line”?
For areas where it doesn’t freeze in the winter and where it doesn’t become too hot in the summer, monolithic slabs can work for your home. However, while they may do the job, they do not perform as well as many other foundation types. Our team of experts recommends choosing a floating slab foundation for superior performance and strength.
If your home resides on a monolithic slab foundation and you have begun to notice signs of foundation damage that is beginning to affect your structure, give BARRIER a call today at (615) 257-1060 | (931) 536-1168. During your FREE evaluation, our professional contractors will identify the source of the problem and the most beneficial solution for your situation.
For more information about our foundation repair services and how they can benefit the rest of the life of your home, as well as your family’s quality of life inside it, visit our website.
