Hello!
We are interested in a villa (built in the 70s) that we are considering making a bid on. Since both my partner and I are complete novices when it comes to house constructions, I thought I would put the question out here.
After reading that there are certain foundation constructions that can be classified as risk constructions, especially common in older villas with "slab on ground" concerning insulation. I wonder what you think about the following foundation construction.
"Building Construction, House: Load-bearing wooden frame on a concrete slab with perimeter insulation of lightweight clinker blocks. Foundation is laid on a gravel bed directly on the ground or rail piles where required. Exterior walls of standing board-and-batten, 150 mm mineral wool insulation and gypsum boards."
Then it further reads:
"Foundation: 150 mm gravel, 80 mm cellular plastic insulation, 120 mm concrete slab, perimeter insulation with lightweight clinker blocks."
What do you think? Any significant risks with the construction?
We are interested in a villa (built in the 70s) that we are considering making a bid on. Since both my partner and I are complete novices when it comes to house constructions, I thought I would put the question out here.
After reading that there are certain foundation constructions that can be classified as risk constructions, especially common in older villas with "slab on ground" concerning insulation. I wonder what you think about the following foundation construction.
"Building Construction, House: Load-bearing wooden frame on a concrete slab with perimeter insulation of lightweight clinker blocks. Foundation is laid on a gravel bed directly on the ground or rail piles where required. Exterior walls of standing board-and-batten, 150 mm mineral wool insulation and gypsum boards."
Then it further reads:
"Foundation: 150 mm gravel, 80 mm cellular plastic insulation, 120 mm concrete slab, perimeter insulation with lightweight clinker blocks."
What do you think? Any significant risks with the construction?
Hello, welcome to the forum.
"Building construction, House: Load-bearing frame of wood on a concrete slab with edge insulation of lightweight concrete blocks. Foundation is laid on a gravel bed directly on soil or on rails as required. Exterior walls of standing wooden panels, 150 mm mineral wool insulation, and plasterboards."
Then it continues to read:
"Foundation: 150 mm gravel, 80 mm cell foam insulation, 120 mm concrete slab, edge insulation with lightweight concrete blocks."
How are they supposed to have it?
Is it concrete directly on the gravel bed or on 80mm cell foam?
It's quite difficult to interpret that.
"Building construction, House: Load-bearing frame of wood on a concrete slab with edge insulation of lightweight concrete blocks. Foundation is laid on a gravel bed directly on soil or on rails as required. Exterior walls of standing wooden panels, 150 mm mineral wool insulation, and plasterboards."
Then it continues to read:
"Foundation: 150 mm gravel, 80 mm cell foam insulation, 120 mm concrete slab, edge insulation with lightweight concrete blocks."
How are they supposed to have it?
Is it concrete directly on the gravel bed or on 80mm cell foam?
It's quite difficult to interpret that.
Thanks for the reply 
I found the following thread that addresses the issue, or rather the risk of problems with insulation on the slab.
http://www.byggahus.se/forum/kopa-salja-hus/132475-platta-pa-mark-med-isolering-pa-oversidan.html
But anyway. I can't make sense of the description of the foundation that the realtor gave me. The house has after all stood till today seemingly without any problems, so it might be wise to let an inspector decide. I'm just a little worried that the inspector won't be able to figure out anything about the foundation, and we would preferably not want to incur the cost of an inspection just to confirm our fears. But on the other hand, it feels foolish to refrain from bidding on a house that we otherwise like very much. If we are going to worry about everything that might be wrong in an older house, then we might as well just look at new houses. And it shouldn't have to be that way.
I found the following thread that addresses the issue, or rather the risk of problems with insulation on the slab.
http://www.byggahus.se/forum/kopa-salja-hus/132475-platta-pa-mark-med-isolering-pa-oversidan.html
But anyway. I can't make sense of the description of the foundation that the realtor gave me. The house has after all stood till today seemingly without any problems, so it might be wise to let an inspector decide. I'm just a little worried that the inspector won't be able to figure out anything about the foundation, and we would preferably not want to incur the cost of an inspection just to confirm our fears. But on the other hand, it feels foolish to refrain from bidding on a house that we otherwise like very much. If we are going to worry about everything that might be wrong in an older house, then we might as well just look at new houses. And it shouldn't have to be that way.
Check if the drawings are still available, it should be evident from them.
If it's direct-acting electricity, be prepared for the heating costs to skyrocket, 150 mm's of insulation is not much.
/Kent
If it's direct-acting electricity, be prepared for the heating costs to skyrocket, 150 mm's of insulation is not much.
/Kent
Yes, unfortunately, it's direct-acting electricity. We plan to install either an air/air heat pump or take it a step further and install waterborne heating with geothermal energy. I'm unsure if the latter option is really that smart. It does cost quite a bit.snickarboden said: