concrete block questions

[bimmer1980]

A couple of questions...

I'm getting ready to do my garage foundation wall. I'm planning on 4 courses of 12" block and then 1 course of 6" block. the intent is to create a brick ledge.

On the last course of 6" block, should they be a bond beam block or just a regular block? I have to fill the cores every 4' for the vertical rebar.... Of course, the bond beam block is more expensive, but if there is a valid reason to use it, then I will.....

Second question.... While I know that I don't have to fill all of the cores, I have to on the rebar cores. On the other cores, has anyone filled them with stone and then topped with concrete? I need the top of them filled so that they don't fill up with water before I brick it. Also, I may not brick all of it right away, so that is my reasoning for filling...

thoughts??

 

[Justanoldguy]

I would do the last 12" row as the bond beam.
Give you a solid footing for the bricks.
Then next 6" row only has to be there to form the floor level.

 

[A_Pmech]

You can make your bond courses by using a dry-cut diamond blade in a cheap SkilSaw. Knock out the slugs with a mason's hammer. Works great and goes fast. Wear a dust mask.

Fill 'em solid! The only thing better than concrete is MORE concrete.

 

[kbs2244]

If you use the wire tie sheets under the top row you shouldn’t need the bond beam.
Nothing wrong with filling all the cores,
but some sheet metal “Z” nailed to the siding and overlapping the block sides should keep the rain out until you are ready.