Adding cinder block perimeter to existing pad?

[r0yal]

Hey guys,

I have an existing garage (proper way would be to completely tear it out and re-pour, but I don't plan on being here too long, so I don't want to sink that kind of money into it)

The issue is that it is a bit lower than the grade outside. so when the snow melts, or it rains, I get a ton of water inside my garage, through the bottom plate/concrete pad)

One of my friends tossed up the idea of installing some cinder blocks around the perimeter and install re-bar and concrete them into place and re-frame the exterior walls on them.

I've searched but I cannot find a whole lot of info on cinder block perimeters on pads.
Another concern is that the pad is not very level, so would I mortar(?) a base (where the cinder blocks would be installed) to level it before any cinder blocks get installed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PugetDude]

Is it a monolithic slab foundation or a slab-on-grade?

 

[r0yal]

Is it a monolithic slab foundation or a slab-on-grade?

Sorry, I'm not too sure how to tell. What is the difference between those two?

 

[PugetDude]

Sorry, I'm not too sure how to tell. What is the difference between those two?

Monolithic slab foundation has the perimeter thickened to act as a footing/short stem wall.
A slab-on grade is the same thickness throughout.

 

[r0yal]

Monolithic slab foundation has the perimeter thickened to act as a footing/short stem wall.
A slab-on grade is the same thickness throughout.

I don't know for sure, but I'd be fairly certain to assume that it would be slab-on grade.

 

[PugetDude]

I don't know for sure, but I'd be fairly certain to assume that it would be slab-on grade.

A simple 4" slab-on grade isn't designed to be load-bearing.
A monolithic slab is designed to support walls at the perimeter.

Dig down a foot or so at a couple of spots at the perimeter and see how deep the slab is.

http://www.all-concrete-cement.com/monolithic-slab.html

 

[Stuart in MN]

There's already a garage sitting on it, so it's bearing a load.

My garage was built with a thickened slab, and with one row of concrete block around the perimeter that the garage framing sits on top of. It's been working fine for 20 years.

 

[r0yal]

A simple 4" slab-on grade isn't designed to be load-bearing.
A monolithic slab is designed to support walls at the perimeter.

Dig down a foot or so at a couple of spots at the perimeter and see how deep the slab is.

http://www.all-concrete-cement.com/monolithic-slab.html

Ok, just went out and dug a bit, It goes about 6" down, and then concrete comes OUT about 3" and then down more.
So I guess they did it SOMETHING properly (the monolithic route)

 

[buddyboy]

before you start laying block, do some research on 'wood basements'

you might be able to make an effective water barrier and drain system on your existing stud wall, with less work and less $$$.

 

[Fcvapor05]

If it were me I'd investigate adding a french drain to the perimeter of the garage before tearing it down to add a block wall.

 

[kbs2244]

Where do your downspouts drain to?

But if the slab is below grade level, you need to get the wood wall higher.
Ther have been a number of posts by guys that have jacked up their garages to do just that.

 

[r0yal]

the thing is, inside my garage the floor is very uneven, so I figured if I add a cinder block perimeter to my current floor, then I could pour new concrete over the existing floor to bring it up a couple inches and make it level, in which would then also assist with the water coming in.

but the issue is, the pad isnt completely level, so before I add cinder blocks, would I have to level a straight line with mortar (or the like?) so that in some spots, it would be 1/4inch and in some it might be 2inches of mortar. but then I've have a level playing field.

 

[AZ Pete]

I think that the first thing you need to do is change the drainage around your garage. Sloping the grade away from your garage and controlling the drainage may be all that you need to do. Photos of your garage and lot would help.

 

[Yak22]

I have a company doing essentially what you are asking right now due to the same drainage problem. In fact the garage is currently floating above the cinderblock wall they have built. Then they will do compacted fill and pour a new slab right over the top of the old one. So I would say yes, it can be done.
Im slowly updating the project on the site here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250438&highlight=irene

 

[r0yal]

I think that the first thing you need to do is change the drainage around your garage. Sloping the grade away from your garage and controlling the drainage may be all that you need to do. Photos of your garage and lot would help.

Yes, proper drainage will be in the works, but even as of now the ground level is higher than my pad, so I'm looking to kill 2 birds with 1 stone and do the cinder block around the perimeter and then I can pour a nice level pad inside of the garage over top of the existing sloped pad.

Im slowly updating the project on the site here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=250438&highlight=irene

Looks good, I'll be following it. thanks.