Replies

1. 
   figuers | Mar 10, 1999 11:26pm | #1

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   If properly built, each is satisfactory. The problem with block walls is that the contractor sometimes forgets to put in the proper amount of reinforcing steel. When that occurs, a bock wall tends to fall over after 10 to 20 years. Your wall will be a restrained wall. It supports a structure and cannot move (tilt) without damaging the overlying structure. This type of wall has more steel (both horizontal and vertical) and is slightly larger than a typical retaining wall (unrestrained).
   A block wall can be more porous, but if proper water proofing details are done, can be as water tight as a good cast-in-place wall.

2. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 06:11am | #2

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   Both types of foundtion have pros and cons. Cast in place are less likely to leak than an improperly installed CMU foundation.

   I use CMU's for the most part as I use brick on my foundations. The water proofing details must be done correctly and backfilling should be done carefully and not all at once.

   I have a hard time finding a sub who wants to take the pains to give me a good poured foundation. In the past, I've had problems with concrete foundations being out of level and out of square.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 06:33am | #3

   *concrete is easier to place, but forms take a lot of work and material. Block involves a lot of moving by hand. If you can reuse your form material, rent or borrow forms, costs will be virtually the same. If you can't block will be cheaper.

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 09:01am | #4

   *Hi Folks,There is a company here in upstate South Carolina that specializes in setting pre-cast concrete basement walls.I'm going to be looking into this.QC could be pretty high and no day-of-the-pour butterflies.Good health, Weogo

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 11, 1999 09:20am | #6

   *There ain't much difference between them. It's more of a local thing as to the quality, SOMETIMES.I found that in some parts of the country, it's easier to find a good mason than to get a foundation poured and the opposite in other parts.Whatever works for you is fine as long as the quality check is done before the contract is signed. And if the job is done as to the request then make sure the sub is paid and shake hands.

3. 
   Craig_Main | Mar 11, 1999 09:20am | #5

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   I am going to be building my own home in the next year. I am building in the central Ohio area. It will probably have about 4-5' below ground and the rest above groud. I plan to use about 1/2 the basement as living space. What are my benifits to using block or pored concrete as my foundation?