Anyone know when these were first used for foundations? Just curious.
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Certainly not a "start point" date but for sure by 1953 in northern DE.
Parent's house had a cinder block foundation built in 1953.
Still has it - holding up nicely.
Jim
Concrete blocks were used far longer than cinder blocks. The last time I saw cinder blocks used (and they were never used in foundations that I ever saw) was probably in the late 1950's.
roger
Edited 1/13/2008 1:58 pm ET by roger g
i did mine 6 years ago under my rental, passed inspection
Cinder blocks? Where did you buy cinder blocks? I'm curious. Concrete blocks are sold everywhere.
roger
Your right concrete blocks is really what i used i call them cinder blocks out of habit.
Cinder blocks & tar paper.
Joe H
i learned not to say"pick" for a "plank" as no one on the west coast uses that, Or at least here.
I spoke with a guy who remodeled a 1903 house in Washington state which apparently was built with cinder block or cement blocks, whatever they're called.I'm talking about the blocks with the two cavities in the middle.I always equated these blocks with mid century homes or newer, but never had any basis for this theory.The age of his house got me wondering when these things first appeared. They are often seen around here on sinking additions, with slab as the main house foundation.
Yea, But what do you call the little stream of water that runs down the valley? "Crick" or "Creek"
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
In northern NJ where the Dutch lived the word Brook or Kill was used. my grandfather was Dutch.
Is that how the "SureKill" Express Way out side of Philly got it's name?
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Your gonna have to ask a eagles fan that but i doubt you would get the truth;}
LOL
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
what do you call the little stream of water that runs down the valley?
"Crick" or "Creek"
None of the above, it's now "Protected Wetlands"
Joe H
Either that or : EPA Superfund Site.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
I think our house was built in late thirties or early forties and they used the kind of concrete block that is supposed to look like stone--has fakey ridges and dimples in it, but each one is exactly like the other. I have seen foundations covered with metal to look like the concrete block that looks like stone too!
No date , but some terms you can search.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinder_block
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"
I am going to guess a bit here since I don't know a definitive date , but I think it was probably around the 1880's or 90's.
I know that there were block making machines readily available prior to 1900 and that the techniques were common by the 1910-20 era.
Edit:
Just looked on the Web, First block making machine was patented in the US in 1900, guy by the name of Palmer founded the Ideal Machinery Company . Development coincided with the development of modern Portland Cement.
By 1905 they were common enough to be being sold by Sears etc.. as a catalog item.
hate it when I guess wrong
;-)
Edited 1/14/2008 1:32 am by dovetail97128