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optimistic
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 15:45
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It seems to be perfect for people around here who need a good foundation for a small cabin and that is easy to put in.
http://redifooting.com/
Seems a bit "too good to be true".
Basically its a sch 40 PVC pipe foundation....
Thoughts?
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Rifraf
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 17:59
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I read about it a bit, but like you my instincts were screaming at me not to use them. Cheaper to use tubes + cement anyway right ?
I just used treated 4x4s and quickcrete for mine
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 18:34
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But the labor is a whole lot less.... when I calculated the foundation size it came out to 57 bags... 80lbs. Crazy labor when you are in the woods with no power of water.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 18:42
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There's no end to people's imagination. I could just about believe the bottom piece, the actual footing, could work well but my personal line is drawn at the point of using PVC pipe as piers. There is no mention, unless I missed it, of the fact that standard white PVC pipe degrades with exposure to UV. Also note the accompanying article makes definite reference to "outbuildings", meaning sheds used as sheds, not even a part time residence. And if it's just an outbuilding like a true shed in most places you can use skids that sit on the ground or pads and have little concern with frost. I would not feel at all comfortable with these holding up my cabin.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 19:03
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It does say that the PVC pipe must be buried up to the cap of the footing to avoid UV exposure...I think I may have seen that in the FAQ...it is interesting that the PVC is supposed to be stronger than concrete according to them..
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 19:25
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They show a few decks that are built on these. Also, they give a compression test that you supply the building inspector with that specifies its strength.
For most small cabins, like the majority of the ones on this site, this should be more than enough if you go by the load they can carry. I think its partially psychological.
I want to build my cabin from a 40ft shipping container which is much heavier than most cabins. But I want to add an extension/living room/sunroom to it and I will most likely use these things. If I would have built my cabin the old fashion way ( I wish I could!!!  ) I would have used these throughout.
BTW - to hold my container a foot above ground, and to avoid the labor of concrete piers, I found this thing which is a bit more expensive than concrete. They charge around 150-200 per pier to install: http://www.technometalpost.com/en/home/
They are super strong and fast to install. They are very "high techy" - they actually measure the psi under the piers as they go down so they literally tell you how much load you can place on it or just pull it out if you didn't reach your desired psi and try another spot....
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Rifraf
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 19:56
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those look interesting, do you have a ballpark figure on what the installers charge to do the work ? The site seems to suggest thats the only way you can buy them, with an installation package ?
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 20:05 - Edited by: MtnDon
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Helical piles are a great foundation especially for problem soils. They are not usually a DIY solution because the ones I've seen used are "screwed" into the ground with a hydraulic motor. Mostly they are used because all other normal foundation solutions have failed, or would be likely to fail after an anlysis by a soils engineer. I know somehow in CO who will be using them for a 600 or so sq ft cabin because the cabins around his property have all encountered serious foundation issues with a year of construction. I believe the foundation estimate was $1200 per pile for the depth of 25 feet.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 20:13
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They are not a DIY thing at all. You most have them install it for you.
Rifraf:
You can call and ask but from other forums I believe the price is around 150-200 installed per pier for the smallest ones (which are already an overkill for cabins)
They can actually adjust it if they hit rocks... quite an amazing thing.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 20:22
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I said "usually" because I have seen one design used by my BIL to rectify a problem he had with a pool deck at his home. The inspector caught him after the deck was built (no permits) and as the foundation was deemed deficient he had to retrofit something. He chose engineered helical piles. I don't know the brand he used but they were screwed into the soil about 4 to 5 feet by hand. A five foot steel bar was used as the lever arm. IIRC they were about $400 each 8 - 9 years ago.
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Rifraf
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 20:32 - Edited by: Rifraf
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I may call them and see if they can get them under an existing structure or if they are only practical for new construction.
I was wondering what I could do to improve my 4x4 piers down the road if needed.
thanks for the heads up
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 10 Apr 2012 21:42
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They actually do exactly what you are look for Rifraf. They show how they underpin a building next to an existing foundation....
Let us know how much they quote you the price. I sure hope it isn't more than I wrote or it won't be that worthwhile for me.
mtndon, I missed that. Sorry.
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Icebear
Member
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# Posted: 11 Apr 2012 04:00
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We have a similar product down here which is actually a threaded plastic tube which can be twisted to raise and lower the 'foundation'. It is mostly positioned as a time saver and is friendly to use with decking joists over a membrane ( from a lower floor ). You don't use bearers and put one under each joist to allow the deck to be lower to the underlying surface.
The twisting action makes it easy to then level the deck perfectly.
Good idea, but I'd never put my cabin on them. Decking sound fine though.
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