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+--- Thread: post and pier vs slab (/showthread.php?tid=12569)
post and pier vs slab - DrWho - 10-19-2013
in my never ending quest for knowledge i pose the following question:
which is better and why....post and pier or slab ??
i think slab is better for dry climates but im not sure.
the doc is in...
RE: post and pier vs slab - Carey - 10-19-2013
There are many opinions on this, and many who are passionate about one or the other...we rented by the ocean in HPP on a short P&P (~3' up) & bought in Keaau town on slab... so far our slab has not had any of the horribles that we were warned of... but neither did the P&P (we were in the slab house during the earthquake of '06 & the '06 40 day rain with the torrential rain (+20" in a day)...the P&P was in perfect lower HPP weather plus the drought during winter '05....
Ventilation for both I think is a must, have plenty of covered outdoor space (helps to have that space on more than one side of the house)
Light... keep it as light & bright... heavy dark color seem to have more problems
Easy to maintain... really helps to have surfaces that are easy to maintain (plumbing & such should have easy access planned out)
Easy to enter - if you do have either, make sure your structure is easy for you & others to get in & around
Think practical...how high do you really want outside windows & gutters & such (back to maintenance)
If you go for the argument that P&P can move in the event of earthquake, then you must forego the option of storing anything underneath the structure, as that could (and has in '06) get destroyed in an earthquake...
RE: post and pier vs slab - rainyjim - 10-19-2013
I think the idea was if you have the money you pour a slab and pour piers so both.
RE: post and pier vs slab - DanielP - 10-19-2013
Piers; easy to plumb and wire and alter. Can create marginal storage. Saves on excavation. Easier on my old feet and knees.
RE: post and pier vs slab - unknownjulie - 10-20-2013
This is what I have been told to do, so feel free to comment. I have an old house set up 10 feet in the air on partial pier, and -partial blockwall with slab- construction. The piers - when I look at them- appear to have a few rocks undernieth (still cant figure out my spellchecker) them and nothing else. In other words, I can put my hand easily under my piers in places and it would seem that some smallish lava rock is the only thing anchoring half of my house in place. This is not inspiring a lot of structural confidence for me. I was told to drill through the piers and put rebar through the holes and then pour a slab to hold the entire thing in place and also provide a floor for a lanai at the same time. The slab would be 3.5 inches thick in the center with a perimeter of about 6 or 8 inches around the piers. How do I specify this in a contract, and is it enough?
RE: post and pier vs slab - DanielP - 10-20-2013
Julie,
You need to get a reliable contractor to come in and repair the failing support under your posts. The rest can be addressed at another time. Have the Contractor provide the specs for what he feels is needed to correct any problems. Get references.
RE: post and pier vs slab - ericlp - 10-20-2013
Well, I've lived in both. P/P to me is the best option.
If your gonna do it, try for a second level but at least make it 4' off the ground. Don't try for a crawl space like the mainland does it. Too many nasty bugs here for that.
1) easy to do electrical and plumbing. If you want to run speaker wire or add any plumbing (no problem)
2) Generally it's cooler because the breezes keep the floor cooler. Also some people add vents in the closets with an air scoop, you could even do this under furniture. Never tried it.
3) Second reason, Rat's Bugs, you get less of them coming into your home since it's elevated. Centipedes are a doormat for Slabs. You can also do maintenance like checking for bugs and killing them. Hard to check under a foundation.
4) #1 reason, is it rains here. P/P when there is a river flowing through your yard I'm not too worried about it.
5) It's amazing how much more space you have for weed eaters, lawn equipment, etc...etc... Storage is a bonus. If you made it high enough you could use it for parking or laundry etc...etc..
Down side? Steps. The higher you make the more steps. Bringing in heavy items like bottle water makes it more fun. I suppose the older you get the funner it gets.
RE: post and pier vs slab - punaticbychoice - 10-20-2013
ericlp@ 13:03:14
Have to agree with you, having experienced both here.
RE: post and pier vs slab - unknownjulie - 10-20-2013
Oh, I already have the contractor, just seeing if this is how to do it or not. Contract, so far, is only a brief paragraph, so I will have to probably write it myself. I won't move forward until I have it figured out. Thx
RE: post and pier vs slab - DanielP - 10-20-2013
Without seeing it, sounds like the slab is confusing the main problem; the piers. Can the house be shored up, remove the existing piers, re-excavate and pour new piers.
In the dark
P.S. If you are sure of your Contractor, then what is the problem with his specs and solution?