I have a basic basement foundation coming up. The house is Specd and it will only have 2 corners. If you could pour the walls for the same cost as 12″ CMUs would you pour them? What is the advantage of Poured walls? thanks, Bobby
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Replies
You can get higher moment, shear, and compressive strength with poured walls given the right rebar placement.
Also, with the right chemistry, you can get a far more water-tight wall.
Only important if you need it.
The only advantage to block walls is that you can set them up yourself. After that, they have a lot of disadvantages. They'll leak faster and cave in easier.
If the money is the same, it's no contest...I'm taking the poured wall.
blue
do you mean set them up yourself as in "alone - by yourself" or as in a homeower can do it. I've never done block before but to be done properly I would reccomend some doing a block foundation have someone with them that knows what they're doing.
he is in construction so maybe he has those skills.
I 'm with you all the way sticking with the poured wall.
The cost to pour is two times that of block walls. There was a possibility that I could get a good deal, similar to block price. But the drive for the found. contractor is 1.5 hour each way. No dealing with him to get him that far away.
Maybe Ill get it for my dream house one day. Thanks, Bobby
I'm in south Florida where CMU construction is the norm. I've seen several poured houses go up around the neighbor I build in. Got interested and called the number for the company doing the concrete. Turns out they are from PA. Sent them a print for an 1800 square foot house I build. They are $1500.00 more than CMU's so guess who is doing the concrete on my next house?
I cant justify spending twicw the amount. CMU wall isnt going anywhere. No siesmic concerns around here and tornados are rare. Water proof it right, tie it to the footer whats the difference, oh yeah its the cost. Bobby
I'm from way out in Coleforneya (SP?) Poured foundations are the norn here, but we use concrete pumps, 3/8" rock, six sack mix, and 2" hose. We form with 3/4" plywood and simpson form ties. They come in 8", 10", and 12" stem wall widths. Laborer drills 3/4" holes every 1' H and V. 8' high walls are easy. How come you guys back East don't do something like this??? I watch stuff like This Old House and I never see a concrete pump. Why?? I agree with most of you re block Vs monolithic pour... No contest.
regards,
Rich
Ive noticed that the high end houses on the side of the Mnt. have used poured walls. I think that its a budget issue. At $400.00 a yard@10" thick turn key might work for a custom. But spec'd - its hard to talk Bill and Jan into my 12k foundation when the other guys cost 6k. People want a granit countertop or that shine new stainless range. I would love to have a superior product (foundation) but buyers want more bang for the buck, not the other way around. Bobby
Can't argue with that... ~
RT
No one will ever convince me that something full of joints no matter what you do it comes close in comparision to a solid wall of reinforced concrete.
Termites love a block wall. Lets them in easier.
bump - great topic!Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Boring topic. There is only one answer. You can phrase it a hundred ways, but a poured wall beats a CMU wall like sex beats a bannana split every time, every way
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Mmm banana splits.... Uh, um, nevermind.
In my business, cmu walls are just partitions with a higher fire rating than a stud wall....that's not a mistake, it's rustic
Why you gotta crap in my cereal Piff? Damn! ;)Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
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Pardon my geometry, but how can a building foundation have only 2 corners? Is the rest of it curved?
Its called a daylight basement. It requires TWo corners. Ya SEE
Hey Shortnail,
Blueeyeddevil is right on time. I am currently pouring a solid wall foundation, (If I can get the Wx to accomodate me:-{ ) It is easily twice the cost but you get twice or more the quality. All that being said. Finding someone to pour it is a bear. There is only one guy in my area. He works with me and I like working with him. So far so good. But I would not do block again for anything. Gotta love solid concrete. Good luck its big job. And where did your other two corners go? KD
CMUs with rebar and filled with concrete.