Hi Folks,
I have a small cape on a sandy, mid-coast Maine site. The house was built on brick piers in the 50s. I just insulated the crawlspace but am wondering if installing a frost wall (don’t think I can afford a full foundation) might be a better long-term solution. Block would fit my budget. Any thoughts on whether it holds up as well as poured concrete?
Thanks!
Replies
Bump.
Waiting for piffen to get back in.
Block is inherently weaker standing up to lateral forces, such as hydrostatic pressure and frost heave. Also more permeable to water.
Compressive strength is quite high. Set on a proper footing with good drainage, it will perform well. Certainly easier for one man to install, and can be done piecemeal.
If you are leaving your existing piers in place, the block is not really going to be structural anyways.