I am impressed with this chapter and would highly recommend all Canadian NACHI members ( especially those west of Toronto think about going to some of their Courses . A lot cheaper and better courses then are being offered but the other Ontario Association . Roy Cooke
I was going to refer them to you Jason! 
After we talked the other day I was very excited that you were having the training event on these. I think there are alot of misconceptions out there about wood foundations and how dry and efficient they can be. 
How can a product that has a limited life span be better than concrete? That is the question. Be it far knobler to build with concrete than a house that a Wolf maybe able to huff and blow down.
Eventually these foundations will have to be replaced with concrete foundations.
I have seen many houses made of wood that are over 100 years old.
I see a lot of concrete roads, driveways, patios and a lot of other concrete things that do not even last 5-10 years.
Why would you replace a wood basement with a concrete one?
The rest of the house would be in the same or worse condition then the basement due to all the additional forces the house structure has to deal with… Wind, Rain, Snow, Ice, things falling against them, etc. The basement when designed properly & installed properly only has to cope with the weight of the earth against it. It will not need to deal with water because the water is being diverted away from the structure before it becomes a concern.
Until you have had a chance to learn about how the system is designed and how the system works, it is hard to understand it’s benefits!
Well if wood foundations were boats they’da sunk long ago. Some of the ones I have inspected had water infiltration problems. The fact is the wood only lasts so long as the chemicals which inhibit decay.
As to insurance I found out today some insurers will insure but its difficult process.
Yes but the perceived concern that John Q public has makes them a liability.
The same thing goes with (UFFI) The perceived concern that John Q Public has makes it a liability.
Roy Cooke
I Agree.
This is something that the public will need to be re-educated about.
The same goes for concrete.
This is something that I think will change once the new code for PWF’s is addopted across the US and also in Canada. I would think that the insurance companies would insure if the home was built after a specific date. (The date the code is addopted.)
I hope I wrote that well enough or at least everyone understands what I am trying to say.
Great thanks Jason Much appreciated .
Roy Cooke
In my teaching of first nation inspectors, particularly in northern regions of Canada, I also discovered that many new homes on reserve are PTW. Reasons such as lack of concrete resources, limitation of construction period and cost are major influences. In addition, the use of ICF - insulated concrete forms are also increasing - where concrete is available or can be readily site mixed.
Fortunately I do not get very many wood foundations in this area. The ones I have inspected all have had water infiltration problems with severe mould problems. One in puctular was condemned by the health board and ordered the occupants to vacate immediately. The family was forbidden to take anything with them. They are now living in a motel. This house will be burned as the toxic moulds are too severe for anyone to enter safely and fix it. It was built in 1976.
The pressure treated wood foundation association has not answered any of my queries. They have not even acknowledged receiving my inquiries.
The city of Edmonton does not allow concrete block foundations and I wish they would add PTW foundations to the unacceptable list.
A number of posts talk about how wonderful PWT’s are but my experience says otherwise.
The manufacturers of this product have not replied to my requests for information where as the portland concrete association has always provided all the information I have ever asked for.
On one PWT foundation the bank would only provide a 15 year mortgage because the PWT was guaranteed for 40 years and was 25 years old.
For more information on a previous discussion go to
http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7355&highlight=wood+foundations
Vern
Very interesting. Of course the house not worth anything, but there remains the value of the land, not that that helps.
How come concrete blocks are not permitted?
What are you referring to when you say “PTW or PWT”???
“PWF” is Permanent Wood Foundation.
I just want to make sure I know what your talking about.
Talk about strange coincidences
Did A home this afternoon many concerns, From lenox Pulse 14 furnace to Gas shut of an meter removed ( a first for me ) to New roof needed two years ago No attic entrance ,No gutters , open sewer in Basement, windows missing and many broken .
The home was lovely inside above the basement.
When I was explaining to the client about the small hidden holes I had found in the siding and how there was UFFI in the walls .
This is about 6 years since I had seen UFFI
I was explaining what was UFFI and how it had come about and the Agent
( wow what a great guy ) stepped in and said I am very sorry for my not seeing the UFFI in the walls .
I really feel we can find you a better home then this no matter that there is no big concern with UFFI it is a stigmatization with the home and will when you go and try to sell will cause you a lot of grief and I think we should just move on .
The client did not want the home and I was less then 1/2 way through
Paid me my $400:00 and I told him I would do the next home for 1/2 price ,
They had very little money
Happy Client
Happy agent and
Happy Home inspector
The sun seemed a little brighter on the way home today.
Roy Cooke
I think there is still info on the Weyerhauser site.
Jason asked…
Same thing. Pressure Treated Wood Foundation.
Cheers,
I think that the longevity of wood can be shown in the 100-200 year old or more log homes and barns that one can find standing still today. Often times with gaps where the chinking has long gone away.
In Louisiana one can find beams from Cypress trees laying in the water where they have been for decades, and still recover the wood and use it in new construction of log homes.
Good info & more links
I’m not sure why they are not acceptable.
They were used back in the 20’s and thirties and the few I’ve inspected are caving in horizontally about 4’ up from the floor.
Just did a new house under construction this PM What a mess. The footing had a 1/2 inch crack in the corner and the crack ran 3-4 feet up the wall. There was a diagonal crack 1/2" wide from the window down to the corner where another crack ran up the Wall from the footing. An inside corner has a crack 3/4" wide. I suspect that there is no re bar in the walls. The plans called for two #10 re-bars top and bottom. This foundation was poured last fall.
Yes as stated above all foundations can be a problem if not done right.
All the walls are out of plumb, floors not level and roof trusses not resting on the walls. The whole house is moving and twisting.
Where’s Mike Holmes when you need him.
Wood above grade is a whole different thing then a wood foundation.
In this part of the world the soil is clay and is always wet. So foundations have to be 100% water proof. Concrete works well because it’s solid but wood foundations are hollow and any water that gets in is trapped and the dark damp warm cavities are perfect for mould and boy does it grow.
Mould feeds on the organic wood so not only do you have a health problem but the wood is being consumed by the mould. It’s called rot.
The next time you are at the lake take a look at the wood piers. The dry wood above the water is OK. The wood that is always under water is OK. The part that is in the wet dry zone is where the rot takes place.
Common Vern,
I have seen and inspected many homes with mud sills that have lasted well over 100 years. The cause of wood rot is moisture and if you keep the moisture away from the wood, no rot.
Larry