Archive Basement (poured walls v cinder block)

JD413

Posts: 131

Mar 30, 2014 5:51pm

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?

se-alum

Posts: 13,948

Mar 30, 2014 6:24pm

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.

T

Tiernan

Posts: 13,021

Mar 30, 2014 6:40pm

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.

sherm03

Posts: 7,349

Mar 30, 2014 6:52pm

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.

JD413

Posts: 131

Mar 30, 2014 7:09pm

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.

se-alum

Posts: 13,948

Mar 30, 2014 7:11pm

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.

JD413

Posts: 131

Mar 30, 2014 7:15pm

Mine too, se-alum.

Although they live in a partially underground home. Pretty neat.

JD413

Posts: 131

Mar 30, 2014 7:17pm

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.

W

WebFire

Posts: 14,779

Mar 30, 2014 8:40pm

Poured. Not sure why anyone would tell you otherwise other than cost.

JD413

Posts: 131

Mar 30, 2014 9:22pm

^ That's what I've been thinking. Just wanted some personal opinions on the matter if anyone had any.

S

sportchampps

Posts: 7,361

Mar 30, 2014 9:57pm

Just bought our house and we had poured walls put in

Belly35

Posts: 9,716

Mar 31, 2014 6:12am

Pour walls without question however a basement in some areas without a sub pump is a problem.

W

WebFire

Posts: 14,779

Mar 31, 2014 8:43am

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.

redrocket

Posts: 126

Mar 31, 2014 9:50am

Poured walls, drier, stronger, you can backfill a poured wall but you better have a house on a block wall before you backfill.

salto

Posts: 2,611

Mar 31, 2014 1:02pm

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?

A

adog

Posts: 567

Mar 31, 2014 9:36pm

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

TedSheckler

Posts: 3,974

Mar 31, 2014 9:53pm

My basement is block because I'm poor.

JD413

Posts: 131

Apr 1, 2014 7:22am

^ Hope this helps?

TedSheckler

Posts: 3,974

Apr 1, 2014 9:16am

JD413;1599356 wrote:^ Hope this helps?

No. I don't give a shit.

Mooney44Cards

Posts: 2,754

Apr 10, 2014 9:33am

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.

M

MontyBrunswick

Apr 10, 2014 11:10am

My basement is made of gold and diamonds.

smd, y'all

JD413

Posts: 131

Apr 10, 2014 7:38pm

dlazz;1603550 wrote:My basement is made of gold and diamonds.

smd, y'all

That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?

M

MontyBrunswick

Apr 10, 2014 7:39pm

JD413;1603796 wrote:That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?

Of course.