The foundation walls for this 3 car garage were originally intended to help expand and level the upper parking area and driveway on this steep lot. The uphill walls act as a retaining barrier. I decided that gaining an extra 900 plus square foot of living area by turning that foundation into a full basement below an engineered concrete slab was worth my time and creativity.
The effort to build an engineered concrete slab to accommodate parking for three vehicles above a living space is substantial. Ten inch steel I beams support ribbed steel pans containing the 6 inch thick slab. The slab has a grid of ¾ inch steel rebar on 6 and 12 inch centers. We added pex tubing to both the upper and lower slabs for a future energy efficient hydronic heating system.
The basement walls supporting the engineered concrete slab are waterproofed and insulated. The below grade area is drained with a perimeter French drain that daylights at each end. The basement is plumbed for a bathroom and small kitchen
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Thank you so much for posting this. I am considering a similar design in Arkansas and am searching for all available information. I’ve read about challenges with melting snow from the cars dripping into the basement because of eventual cracks in the concrete or seams. Did this home experience any of these difficulties or has it stayed dry?
Thanks,
Chuck