Hello From Ontario Introductions Discuss Hello From Ontario in the Good Background Information forums; I thought about using a floating slab. For a long time. We sit on very fine clay with a high ...

[jmhepworth]

I thought about using a floating slab. For a long time. We sit on very fine clay with a high water table. When it got down to it, I didn't want to risk frost heave. I've seen what it does to concrete patios, although they are probably not built on the layer of crushed rock. Was digging and pouring the footings and foundation a lot of work? Of course it was. But I'm still glad I did it. I don't want to be the one everyone points to and says that floating slab thing wasn't such a great idea afterall.

Joe

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Their issues will be mostly related to fire safety

far from true neil... not trying to be a buster, But.. Here if you file a pemit, first you submit your plans, then if approved you can dig, starting with the foundation, the inspector comes out and measures your holes/footings before you pour any concrete.. if that passes you can pour, then block and wait for another inspection to check your forms before you pour again... I do agree much of it is overkill on the code part, but somewhere and engineer figured out with a calculator and a sliderule thats what we need to be structurally safe and sound... please dont take this the wrong way, but unless you've dealt with building inspectors they can be a giant pain, though well intended.....
cheers
Mark

[Les]

Originally Posted by ThisOldGarageNJ

unless you've dealt with building inspectors they can be a giant pain, though well intended.....

Amen! When I built my shop, I spent more time scheduling / waiting for inspectors then I did to build it. The greatest one was for the nail pattern on my roof - she didn't even climb the ladder to look at it.

[Neil2]

No problem Mark.

For a building yes, the footing/foundations inspections can be rigorous. As they should be.

But not for a stand alone wood fired oven. I explained what I was planning to my local building department and they just said I didn't need a permit and to have fun.

[Pat B.]

Lots of clay in my back yard and my floating deck heaves like crazy in the spring. THings I must consider for sure when planning this project. Thanks for all the input!

[CanuckJim]

Pat,

I had to deal with exactly the same problems during my build. I'm located near Port Perry, north of Oshawa, on the Oak Ridge Moraine. One foot of topsoil, seven miles of yellow clay, with a spring running betwixt the two. Went for Sono tubes, lots of them, plus an eight inch, reinforced slab. It's been down almost ten years; hasn't moved a jot. Have a look at my website, www.marygbread, for some pics of the oven. Send me an email to discuss if you wish.

CJ

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Neil

I explained what I was planning to my local building department and they just said I didn't need a permit and to have fun.

I wish it was that easy here,,, If it was I may have filed for a few more permits.. (snicker)
Cheers
Mark

[Antonio D.]

Jim,
I live in Aurora. We are on the oakridges Moraine also.
When they built my house in 1987, the builder never put a slip barrier between. The back filled soil and garage walls. The houses facing north do not recieve any sun on their garage, allowing the frost to get quite deep. The frozen soil binds on both sides of the wall and lifts it off the footings. I repaired a neighbours garage and their was a 6" gap between the footing and wall. Their is way too much work involved in building an oven and see it go to waste after a few years to take a shortcut. What is an extra weekend of work so you can enjoy many years of enjoyment from your oven.

Antonio