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I am having a home built and the builders specs show duro rock (wire grid placed between blocks) every 3rd couse in a 12 course 10 inch block foundation. I went to the job site and the head mason explained they did not use this because it was not indicated on the blueprints. Should I be worried about this? Is this product typically used in a block foundation making this a potential problem foundation? Other than this, it appears to be a well laid foundation. Thanks for any insight you can give me on this issue.
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Somebody has their wires crossed. Just because something is not shown on the prints doesn't mean it can be omitted. The spec sheet is part of the whole package and the builder is responsible for seeing to it that the subs know what is expected.
The need for lateral support is governed in part by the minimums of your local code but more importantly by the actual design parameters. The engineer who wrote the specs for the builder to follow would have taken into account things like unbalanced fill and the height and length of the wall.
You should not take this up with the head mason but rather the builder, who will ultimately be responsible for whatever happens when ALL the little i's are not dotted and all the t's not crossed.
*Andy - NOT duro rock, but Dur-o-wal, or horizontal / longitudinal joint reinforcement. In a 12 course 10 inch block foundation, I normally specify every other course, not every third. The purpose of this reinforcement is to reduce cracking from drying shrinkage and temperature extremes. It should not be confused with vertical reinforcement (rebar grouted in) which is installed (where necessary) to resist lateral loads.This is a common subject in construction - plans and specs that don't agree, or a trade that has some of the information but not all of it. In the industry (and in case law - SHGLaw will correct me if I'm wrong) written language governs over drawings. So if there is a conflict (I write "put 2 #5's in the footing" but don't show it) it is still a requirement (yes, that stinks when you consider that we're all used to reading drawings first). This requirement should have been given to the mason sub.Should you be worried? I think that cracking will be much more likely without it. Who is responsible? Probably the builder if the mason did not have all of the information. Should the plans have shown it? You bet. I would probably think about trying to ask for some remedial work done, within reason, to make up for the omission. Grouting the block solid would help, but the cost of this is not commensurate with the installed cost of Durowal.There may be code issues here too, but CABO (for instance) generally defers somewhat to 'accepted engineering practice'. "Does it meet code?" IS a question you should ask of whomever is responsible for the design, since height of fill, seismic zone and other local conditions apply.Perhaps it would be reasonable to work out a preventative solution such as surface bonding (parging) with greater than normal thickness or upgrading the backfill to use more granular material to improve drainage thereby reducing stresses on the wall. You could ask for an extended guaranty - but this won't be easily enforceable.Jeff
*Is this product name the same as ladder wythe reinforcing? If it is, I've never seen it drawn in. Too time consuming and you wouldn't see it on a 1/4" scale any way. Specs rule.If this wall is to be below grade, you do need it unless the soil is sand or similar and not subject to freezing
*Horizontal reinforcing is available in ladder or truss-type. Either one is fine. You are right that it would only be visible in a 3/4" = 1'-0" wall section. If the drawings only include 1/4" scale building sections, however, it should be noted. Also keep in mind that, as mentioned, it has little to do with resistance to soil pressure (lateral loads).Jeff
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I am having a home built and the builders specs show duro rock (wire grid placed between blocks) every 3rd couse in a 12 course 10 inch block foundation. I went to the job site and the head mason explained they did not use this because it was not indicated on the blueprints. Should I be worried about this? Is this product typically used in a block foundation making this a potential problem foundation? Other than this, it appears to be a well laid foundation. Thanks for any insight you can give me on this issue.