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Heres a question: Im pouring a slab in my basement, do I put poly down under the gravel then concrete or gravel-poly-concrete or do I need the gravel at all? Id like to do without, due to low ceilings.
Thank you,
Marco
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gravel, poly, then I use a little sand on top of the poly. Sand absorbs some of the water and also more importantly protects the poly from being ripped up while pouring concrete.
Use as much as fits for you. If your ground is naturally gravel/drain type like it is all over where I build then the gravel can be skipped.
Not an expert, but it works for me,
Jack : )
*Greetings Marco, as Jack indicated the tried and true has rationale.Assuming that your water table is not a proble and depending on the local cost involved, I normally fill any voids or low spots with gravel,so that all is level with the base of the footing and fill the remainder with crushed stone, compact the hell out of it, lay a small buffer of sand, lay on the poly and prepare to pour. The only reason that I put the buffer under the poly as opposed to putting it on top is simply that I have found that it's easier to protect the poly from damage that way, the poly doesn't come into contact with the sharp edges of the stone. The sand prevents the walking on top by the cement finishers from abrasion on the stones.Stone under the slab greatly improves the drainage under the slab. We also install drain pipes through the footing at key locations to further enhance drainage to the weeping pipe and onward.Remember water is never a problem if it has an easier and better place to go than into your basement.Hopes this adds to your information.