Block basement walls or poured?

[forgeblast]

I have heard a lot of the superior walls, just do a quick google search for reviews.

Not to hijack but where we want to have our garage is in the side of a hill, basically the hill slopes down to our property. I have it dug out and know that once the garage gets built i will need a lot of stone around it. that being said what would be better taking into account that the bank has kind of stablzied itself. what would give the best strenght.

also if you were going to build a root cellar, and knowing its going to be burried under ground would you pour the walls or block them? how do the old root cellars last so long.

once again sorry for the hijack.

 

[dave1949]

Not to hijack but where we want to have our garage is in the side of a hill, basically the hill slopes down to our property. I have it dug out and know that once the garage gets built i will need a lot of stone around it. that being said what would be better taking into account that the bank has kind of stablzied itself. what would give the best strenght.

Maybe I am missing something, but I can't believe the lateral strength of a laid block wall could compare to a poured wall. ? For either type, a buttress wall would give some extra stability between corners.
Dave.

 

[Highbeam]

With enough rebar in it, the block wall can be very strong.

 

[foggy1111]

I went with block when we built our home. Costs are similar....but finding a GOOD crew to pour foundations and get them true (with multiple corners) is a challenge.....according to my contractor at the time. My contractor emphasized going with block and my block was within 1/8" of prints. I went to look at a few jobs that were poorly poured. Soured me on the deal.

We used some rock faced block along the exposed areas....looks nice!! IF a good "pour crew" had been available...that would have been of interest to me. It still takes a good (sub) contractor to do it right.

 

[MotorSeven]

I had to call all 3 company's back, and even at that only 2 responded today(I guess their "economy" is fantastic). Superior wall quote was $13,200. A poured wall quote including footers was $13,800.

Unless I am missing something, it looks like I can dig & pour footers, then 12" block, rebar every 2' and fill the block, and pour the slab for way under $13K.

Walls:
1385 12" blocks @ $1.41 ea...........$1952.85
42 bags type S Mortar @$7.75.......$325.50
6 tons of sand @$31.00................$186.00
33 sticks 1/2 rebar @$8.50............$280.50
Labor.........................................$1900.00
20 yards of concrete to fill block.....$2000.00

$6644.85

Footers:
24"x12"
15 yards of crete
Labor and materials ....approx........$2000.00

Slab:
14 yards of crete
Labor and materials.....approx........$2000.00



Total nut....................................$10,644.85


If I poured the walls I would still have to add the slab which would bring the cost over $15K....

It looks like Block for me

RD

 

[rtdiggr]

Personally i would not hesitate for 1 minute to go with a block wall. Or icf. Poured walls are quick and are just as good.

You have to water proof the out side with a delta type product. use a weeping tile with a sock and alot of crushed stone. Your weeping tile needs to go into a sump pump or drain to day light [unusual unless you are on a steep slope] Most municipals will not let you connect to the sewer pipe like we use to be able to do.

I also use a water proof coating before the delta product.
Remember it is not if concrete will crack it is when. this applys to floors and walls.

You are starting from scratch so the best thing to do is to have 2 weeping systems 1 to go around the foundation from the outside and 2 the inside, the pipes should go into a sump pump and then out to daylight.

Shane

 

[rtdiggr]

20 yards of concrete to fill block.....$2000.00



unless this is code in your area i don't understand why you need to fill concrete block with 20 yards of more concrete?

Shane

 

[MotorSeven]

Thanks Shane, I am putting a perimeter drain. There are not many sumps here like up North, but I will look into it. We hit all shale, no rock digging the basement which is unusual for this area. I have learned that shale does some odd things with water, it can soak right in, then pop up yards away and pool. The house will have porches all around with gutters(er...ah "eaves troughs" for you Canucks) with all downspouts taking the water around and out over the ridge(no sewer...out in the sticks).

RD

 

[MotorSeven]

20 yards of concrete to fill block.....$2000.00



unless this is code in your area i don't understand why you need to fill concrete block with 20 yards of more concrete?

Shane

I have seen too many block walls not only crack, but separate. So, I plan on dropping a 1/2" rebar every 2' and flling all the blocks. I also don't need to go with 12" block all the way since only 2 walls are against a grade. I know it's overkill, but I will give me the warm & fuzzys


Oh, and we have NO CODES HERE........PARADISE!!!!!!!!!!

RD

 

[rtdiggr]

Hey RD
I am guilty of not looking at your location before i posted [it is usually the 1st thing i do]
One question if you have a perimeter drain system [which is good] where will the water go to?
It will need to see daylight or a sump.

What ever you do remember it is cheaper to do things now, this is not something that is cheap to do later.

Shane