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My wife and I are thinking of making a WFO our next big project. We live in PIttsburgh, PA and from what I've been reading I would need a rather thick slab or floating slab to cover the 40". We are only going to live in this house for another two years or so. Any thoughts on a mobile base or another foundation that wouldn't require the work of a large slab? Would I be okay with a 6-8" slab on my soil (since I only anticipate two years of use out of this oven personally") Any help appreciated.
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
It really depends on your soil conditions. I too live in Pittsburgh and am deliberating the pros and cons of each foundation type. I have come to the conclusion that due to the soil conditions in my yard, that I will need a full 36+ inch deep foundation. My yard only has about 6" of topsoil and the rest is solid clay. The yard has a good slope to it, but does not drain well due to the lack of permiable soil. I fear a floating slab would shift over the long haul.
2 Years is a somewhat short time. Do you plan on moving to a longer term home on the area? Many of the builds here easily span 12 or more months. -
Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
At two years of use, you might want to take it with you if you are moving local. Build the base on a steel frame, use 12x12 treated posts to hold it up. When moving time comes, hire a brick truck with its lift device to move your oven. Most brick yards have flat beds that have a lift truck hanging off the back so the can deliver into the back of properties. Yes-you can take it with you.Comment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
If I were moving in the next 24 months I would buy a pizza stone for my indoor oven and wait until I'm in the next house
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Ken H. - Kentucky
42" Pompeii
Pompeii Oven Construction Video Updated!
Oven Thread ... Enclosure Thread
Cost Spreadsheet ... Picasa Web AlbumComment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
I used a precast, concrete manhole for a base unit - flipped upside down. It does not require footer at all, just solid ground. Simply skin off the sod with a shovel and place a few inches of gravel for this manhole to sit on. You would need a large piece of equipment (large backhoe) to set the manhole; if you can't get this equipment into you yard then this option will not work. This unit could be moved with you when you move, if you have the access to equipment. I live to the north of you in PA - frost is not a problem because the manhole is monolithic so there is no differential settlement.Comment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
"I used a precast, concrete manhole for a base unit"
Sounds like an excellent solution. What were the dimensions of the manhole unit ? Was it just the lid, or was it the barrel as well ?Comment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
It is a 4 foot inside diameter, precast manhole with an 8 inch extended base. The manhole walls will be six inches thick, so the outside diameter of the barrel section will be 5 feet. As I said before, the manhole if flipped upside down, so that the extended base is the surface that you build on. It essentially looks like a "big" soup can sitting on a big dinner plate - then you flip it over. I built a 42 inch WFO on this base unit. I would be glad to send you construction photos (I have many) if you like - just give me your email address.
DwightComment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
Hi,Originally posted by mtorment View Post
just starting to plan a WFO in Pittsburgh (in the city itself). For what I've read up to now you've to go pretty deep, mostly for getting below the frost line. alternatively, there's something called Frost-protected shallow foundations (Frost Protected Shallow Foundations - Oikos) that allow you not to go very deep. I haven't figured it out whether all those concerns apply to something the size of a brick oven, though.
On a side note, I haven't figured out the building codes/permits required for a brick oven. Do you have any pointers? Thanks.Comment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
Originally posted by stwater View Post
I, for one, would read a thread containing your build pictures and your story....
Lee B.
DFW area, Texas, USA
If you are thinking about building a brick oven, my advice is Here.
I try to learn from my mistakes, and from yours when you give me a heads up.Comment
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Re: Do I have to dig a four foot hole?
I'm a former ne Ohio guy, so I can relate to the poor soil drainage throughout the whole region. If you are CERTAIN that you will be leaving, then go with something smaller on a mobile base that you could hopefully take with you. If you think you may be stayng, you have to go all out and do those 3" deep footers, if you don't, you may have a cracked mess when things thaw out next spring. Frost heave can be very detrimental to anything not anchored below the frost line,
RTComment
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Faith In Virginia made a portable oven base
Faith In Virginia's post in this thread shows a base made to accommodate a forklift for easy transport (well, relatively easy).
Lee B.
DFW area, Texas, USA
If you are thinking about building a brick oven, my advice is Here.
I try to learn from my mistakes, and from yours when you give me a heads up.Comment
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Re: Faith In Virginia made a portable oven base
You could always look at rubble foundations. I have one under a fieldstone garden shed im building. I am north of Pitt, so I dug down about 3' sloped to provide drainage filled it up with 6'' of gravel added 4'' black perf pipe and then finished with 2' of compacted gravel. (maby a little less). then i lined the holes with tarpaper, added rebar and poured 16'' of concrete. I just built right on this, after 3-4 years with some of the worse rain we have ever had i have no slipping or heaving. I didnt do it as a pad, its a square, with a smaller square inside, with dirt still in the middle. ( i will eventually add bricks in there for the floor.)
Frank L Wright used these types of foundations a lot. I know its not a moveable one, Maby look at building it modular so you can take it apart.Comment
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