Basement (poured walls v cinder block)

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JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Mar 30, 2014 5:51 PM
Holy shit there is a lot of information out there. I'm really just looking for opinions of those who have personal experience, or know someone (close friends or family) who has constructed a basement.

So...poured walls or block? And why?
Mar 30, 2014 5:51pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Mar 30, 2014 6:24 PM
Poured. Less opportunity for leaks, and poured walls are stronger. All the seams in block walls are weakness and an opportunity for a leak. Seal up to ground level on the outside of the poured walls.
Mar 30, 2014 6:24pm
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
Mar 30, 2014 6:40 PM
Used to be about 10 - 15% more for poured, are you seeing that as still the case? Even at that the chance of less problems down the road would be worth it.
Mar 30, 2014 6:40pm
sherm03's avatar

sherm03

I go balls deep.

7,349 posts
Mar 30, 2014 6:52 PM
Definitely poured.

And se-alum is right, seal it up with a waterproof membrane on the outside before back filling the dirt to prevent water from coming in down the road.
Mar 30, 2014 6:52pm
JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Mar 30, 2014 7:09 PM
Tiernan;1598716 wrote:Used to be about 10 - 15% more for poured, are you seeing that as still the case? Even at that the chance of less problems down the road would be worth it.
The cost is higher, yes, and I think the overall percentage depends on many factors. Poured walls could be done in less time even if the material comes at a higher cost. Time is money, from construction to site supervision.

I'm starting to believe that it's all the old school folks who shun change that believe concrete block is the way to go.
Mar 30, 2014 7:09pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Mar 30, 2014 7:11 PM
I honestly didn't know anyone really used block for basements anymore, my parents put their house in almost 20 years ago, and they had the walls poured.
Mar 30, 2014 7:11pm
JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Mar 30, 2014 7:15 PM
Mine too, se-alum.

Although they live in a partially underground home. Pretty neat.
Mar 30, 2014 7:15pm
JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Mar 30, 2014 7:17 PM
Ever seen the million dollar homes in New Albany being constructed? Some are block basements. There are some cheaply made expensive homes in that town.
Mar 30, 2014 7:17pm
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Mar 30, 2014 8:40 PM
Poured. Not sure why anyone would tell you otherwise other than cost.
Mar 30, 2014 8:40pm
JD413's avatar

JD413

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131 posts
Mar 30, 2014 9:22 PM
^ That's what I've been thinking. Just wanted some personal opinions on the matter if anyone had any.
Mar 30, 2014 9:22pm
S

sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Mar 30, 2014 9:57 PM
Just bought our house and we had poured walls put in
Mar 30, 2014 9:57pm
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
Mar 31, 2014 6:12 AM
Pour walls without question however a basement in some areas without a sub pump is a problem.
Mar 31, 2014 6:12am
W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
Mar 31, 2014 8:43 AM
Belly35;1598971 wrote:Pour walls without question however a basement in some areas without a sub pump is a problem.
Sump pump. And yes, anywhere it rains should have one.
Mar 31, 2014 8:43am
redrocket's avatar

redrocket

Senior Member

126 posts
Mar 31, 2014 9:50 AM
Poured walls, drier, stronger, you can backfill a poured wall but you better have a house on a block wall before you backfill.
Mar 31, 2014 9:50am
salto's avatar

salto

Senior Member

2,611 posts
Mar 31, 2014 1:02 PM
ccrunner609;1598888 wrote:Spent years doing poured wall basements.......paid my college doing concrete. Love poured wall.
I bet you wish you had a basement don't you?
Mar 31, 2014 1:02pm
A

adog

Senior Member

567 posts
Mar 31, 2014 9:36 PM
The house I live was built in 1973 with poured walls. I bought the house in 2000 and the poured walls was one of the selling points for me....Poured > block
Mar 31, 2014 9:36pm
TedSheckler's avatar

TedSheckler

Emporium Entrepreneur

3,974 posts
Mar 31, 2014 9:53 PM
My basement is block because I'm poor.
Mar 31, 2014 9:53pm
JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Apr 1, 2014 7:22 AM
^ Hope this helps?
Apr 1, 2014 7:22am
TedSheckler's avatar

TedSheckler

Emporium Entrepreneur

3,974 posts
Apr 1, 2014 9:16 AM
JD413;1599356 wrote:^ Hope this helps?
No. I don't give a shit.
Apr 1, 2014 9:16am
Mooney44Cards's avatar

Mooney44Cards

Senior Member

2,754 posts
Apr 10, 2014 9:33 AM
I'm a realtor and a home inspector of about 30 years told me that cinder block is probably the worst possible material to build basement walls out of.
Apr 10, 2014 9:33am
M

MontyBrunswick

Apr 10, 2014 11:10 AM
My basement is made of gold and diamonds.

smd, y'all
Apr 10, 2014 11:10am
JD413's avatar

JD413

Senior Member

131 posts
Apr 10, 2014 7:38 PM
dlazz;1603550 wrote:My basement is made of gold and diamonds.

smd, y'all
That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?
Apr 10, 2014 7:38pm
M

MontyBrunswick

Apr 10, 2014 7:39 PM
JD413;1603796 wrote:That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?
Of course.
Apr 10, 2014 7:39pm