Permanent Wood Foundations - what you need to know

Many people get uneasy when they find out that a house has a wood foundation. There are a few things you should know about houses with wood foundations before your purchase.

[@jeremyv2040]

Thanks, good vid. Making site plans for a detached 500 sq ft garage..NOT wanting to pour concrete.

[@fredaraas1150]

Very good 👍 information..

[@kellybehrens]

Thank you for the info. I have just purchased a home with a wood foundation under grade. The plastic wrapped around the treated wood has delaminated. We are having a 6 mil plastic barrier put against the treated wood wall, then are going to have flashing over the plastic. It does have the correct treated wood and was a builder's home originally. Is there a substance that the contractor can paint over the wood first like tar or drylok, then apply the plastic, then the flashing? New gutters are going on w/ gutter extenders & we are ensuring it is graded properly. Thank you for your help.

[@southbendkid]

I met with Rosco Clark and had him design a foundation for a house I was to build. Indeed he is generous with his knowledge. My hour with him felt like a master class in PWMs. However before we talked foundations he expounded on how he hade solved the JonBenét Ramsey murder case. In the end the Southfield building plan reviewer talked me out of using a PWM. With our low elevation clay soil lot the water table occasionally is at grade for months on end. the plan reviewer said even with good drainage details we'd be constantly pumping out the water.

[@tchomeinspections]

Yes, site selection is key. Regardless of which type of foundation you go with (concrete of wood), water and soil type are always the biggest considerations. As inspectors, water impacts more components of a home than anything.

[@Great_Lakes_Goalies]

Very informative video! Thank you!

[@tchomeinspections]

You're welcome! Glad I could help!

[@tchomeinspections]

Any time you have water intrusion and foundation walls are not plumb, especially on a wood foundation, it needs to be evaluated prior to closing. Thank you!

[@rozakalashnikoff4539]

Can I make a 2" penetration in my PWF for a new water line? Great video, thanks!

[@tchomeinspections]

Your hole needs to be sealed tight around the water line. If ground water enters the foundation wall it will cause decay and compromise the PWF. By placing a hole in a PWF, you would be drilling through wood sheathing and a vapor barrier that has been designed to shed water away form the outside of the foundation. Good Luck!

[@deerhunter7482]

Even pressure treated lumber isn’t what it was 15 years ago,never try this method.

[@gurubhaikhalsa9337]

Is it possible to make just a single wall of the foundation of wood? I need to repair a crumbling 140 year old fieldstone foundation wall, that was made before the ratio of lime and concrete was perfected to the level of modern day.

[@tchomeinspections]

It depends on soil condition and drainage. In our experience, if the conditions are right, there should not be a problem.

[@davidtolley1374]

Is there an alternate material to treated lumber for framing PWF? Something that doesn't bring chemicals into the house but still has the requisite properties and preferably termite resistance as well?

[@tchomeinspections]

The materials used to construct a wood foundation have been steam treated with CCA for a ground application (not to be confused with ground contact wood like you would purchase at a big box store for deck construction). The chemicals used make it possible to last many years underground. I am not aware that the treated lumber used on a PWF can pass chemicals into a home. The PWF lumber is designed to resist rot and wood boring insect infestation. Like any type of foundation it is best to have a sandy loam soil and practice proper site drainage. --

[@jayfin5507]

Thanks for the info. I have a purchase agreement on a house which has signs of water damage and moisture in the basement. Also there is a slight bow to the wall. Does this mean the wall is breached and will need replacing on the future?

[@tchomeinspections]

Make sure the surface draining around the base of home is adequate. Grading around home is important as the soil should slope away from the foundation. Use gutter extensions at end of downspouts. If wall is bowed you need to have it inspected by a qualified contractor to further evaluate and repair as needed.

[@abacab87]

I used to do wood foundations and there was always a bow in the wall from day one. There can be a lot of flex without breakage, just as an undersized beam will bend a lot before it will break. I've done my own house with 2x8, it makes me feel better.

[@jayfin5507]

@@abacab87 thanks for the reply. My foundation is just 2x6 but the leaks were from neglect of the downspouts. Although the one wall does have noticeable bend to it, I have had zero issues with water in the basement.

[@vikassharma-lq4bi]

where can i find permanent wood foundation contractors near bushkill pa?

[@tchomeinspections]

Try contacting your local builders association