#CONCRETE BLOCK WALL CONSTRUCTION INSTALL#
#CONCRETE BLOCK WALL CONSTRUCTION TRIAL#

Contractors may find it difficult, time-consuming, and costly to truck in wet concrete to the job site.Poured concrete foundations cost more than CMU block foundations.If spalling (when the concrete surface peels, crumbles, or flakes off) occurs during curing, the poured concrete foundation can lose its strength.The Cons of Poured Concrete Wall Foundations A poured wall doesn't have joints like a block wall, so it is easier to waterproof.Poured concrete walls have better lateral strength than CMU block foundations, which improves their resistance to pressure from water and soil.

The strength, density, and joint-free construction of poured concrete foundations minimizes water issues.They take less time to construct than CMU block foundations.The Pros of Poured Concrete Wall Foundations Rebar, installed in the footing, limits weak points and joints. Next, in one continuous pour, workers pour concrete into wooden forms to harden (cures) on site. Traditional poured concrete foundations involve constructing and properly securing large, heavy, wooden walls. Traditional Poured Concrete Wall Foundations CMU block walls have low R-values ranging from 2 to 3.CMU block foundations have good load-bearing strength however, the foundation will lose its lateral strength if not fully grouted with rebar.CMU block foundations may bow and buckle if the water in the soil around a structure builds up, resulting in costly repairs.Water and weather wear down the mortar used to join the CMU blocks together - this can cause leaks.Improperly reinforced CMU blocks produce weak foundations.A CMU block wall often requires installing an air and moisture barrier, which adds another trade and more labor to the foundation project.8-in blocks weigh 36lbs, 10-in blocks weigh 42lbs. Concrete masonry units are heavy to handle.The Cons of Cinder Block (CMU) Foundation Mortar secures the blocks together, which rest on concrete footings.

#CONCRETE BLOCK WALL CONSTRUCTION INSTALL#

To optimize strength and stability, workers install the blocks in a running bond pattern and may insert steel reinforcing bars in the core of the blocks. However, sizes can vary depending on the building's weight load. Cinder Block (CMU) FoundationsĬMU block foundations often use large (8-in or 10-in wide and 16-in long), hollow concrete blocks.

#CONCRETE BLOCK WALL CONSTRUCTION TRIAL#

These materials are easy to install and can increase structural lifespan, but what sets them apart from each other? And which is the better choice for your project? We cover the differences between CMU blocks and poured concrete foundations below so that you don’t have to learn from trial and error. Two of the most effective methods for creating wall foundations are poured concrete walls and cinder blocks - more professionally known as Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs). You can see from the photo that I also have gravel in front and behind the block.Structural foundations are the backbone of every new building, which is why it’s critical to make sure that they are done right. This left my block 2 inches below the ground. Then I packed the gravel down using a hand tamper. I dug a trench 4 inches deep and filled it with 2 inches of gravel. Dig your trench deep enough to allow you to put 1-2 inches of gravel while still leaving your first row of blocks partially buried. You will need to make sure you have room for gravel in front and behind your blocks to allow water to drain. Then dig a trench about 3 inches bigger than that. Double check this, because you aren't going to want to redo this part later on. Run your mason line tightly between your stakes and hook your string level to it to be sure it's level. Your very first steps should be to decide where you want your wall, and place stakes accordingly.

Stacking all the blocks once everything was measured took about 1 hour. A word of caution before we get started: The vast majority of time spent working on this wall was measuring, re-measuring, leveling, and measuring again.

Concrete block wall construction