To All Home Owners!!

[Kris]

O.k. we are coming pretty close to choosing the home we want, plus the dealer. Now comes something more complicated is the foundation. Grissim's book explains the different foundations but I need pictures to be able to really tell the difference.

I just came across while doing an online search the Sure Safe and the Steel Safe Foundations. I am trying to understand them and trying to see which one is best. I did a search on this site and saw links for fast track foundations.

Just trying to see if anyone can explain it to me inlaymans terms, give me some links to websites with actual comparison pics.

Thank you!!!!!

[Mac]

Can't speak for your area, but we have a slab foundation with split-block skirt for our three-section home. The deck is tied down, the rest not (I plan to remedy this in a year or so). For your home I'd say there are two considerations: leveling once and only once, on setup (which means put it on a slab) and absorbing any earthquake movement, should it happen - which is where those foundations come in, I believe. A slab doesn't cost a lot, relative to the home, and it's nice to roll around on, should the need arise (I use a mechanic's creeper). In our area, there are many moles and mice, who tunnel all over. Concrete and block doesn't tunnel well.
I believe I read that even if a home comes off its piers in an earthquake, it is fairly easily lifted back up and the damage repaired. I do need to tie ours down though - we have the Cascadia Subduction Zone offshore, and they figure we get an 8.0-9.0 every 300 years or so. That might drop a tree or two onto the house, so it might be a moot point.
I went through the 1989 Loma Prieta quake in Santa Cruz - it shook things pretty good. Our home might have bounced and shifted a bit.

Have fun! Mac