Don't let any of these guys scare you over a block basement. They are not built like they were in the 60's and 70's anymore. I'm a mason, and I've built hundreds of basement through my career in block. I also spent years working with my Dad, who bought his first set of 8' wall forms in 1981. If I were personally building a new home, I'd probably still use block.
home construction questions
- Thread starter carterbeauford
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Hilltopmasonry
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I think block basements get a bad reputation because back in the day they didn’t use quality mortar, they didn’t waterproof it, didn’t properly reinforce it and they didn’t fill the joints completely.
For example my house was built in the 50s with a block basement foundation and the mortar they used is so soft you could literally scratch it out with a nail plus it has absolutely no waterproofing on the exterior at all. Yes it does leak however if I were to build it I can guarantee you it would not leak. It’s no different then if you pour a concrete foundation and do not put any rebar in it and use a substandard crappy concrete mix with absolutely no waterproofing membrane on the outside you will have issues as well
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carterbeauford
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Wasn't really scared, considering the grade of the lot and considering no one in the neighborhood has a wet basement. Living with relatives in a $400K custom home with a 13 course block basement that's as dry the desert.
That's what I was wondering, same house I just mentioned has one with a metal pipe chimney and was built in 2001.
never enuf time
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With proper drainage , I will take a block basement over poured. Most block basements are much more square than a poured wall.
Sorry to mention but, the gable end roof is an upgrade over a shed roof any day
Sorry to mention but, the gable end roof is an upgrade over a shed roof any day
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carterbeauford
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if I ever build again this is what I'll use.
they built the gable at the roofline and it looked awful.
never enuf time
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I only saw sample pic, so I'll take your word for it.
Let me rephrase, I've seen more skilled masons do block work than poured walls.
When we framed houses the block was usually square, poured was a roll of the dice.
The superior wall looks interesting. Only 4" footing ?
Let me rephrase, I've seen more skilled masons do block work than poured walls.
When we framed houses the block was usually square, poured was a roll of the dice.
The superior wall looks interesting. Only 4" footing ?
gahrajmahal
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I changed out our old 80 gal. Electric for a 40 gal gas with power vent and our utility bill went from $300+ to $150. Plenty of hot water, runs quiet and was not $1500. More like $800. Lots of good usage calculators online now. The new more expensive gas will pay for itself really fast, then $avings.
ard
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15 year warranty?
Quick look at some reviews/issues and Id want to do A LOT more research....
Something about 30 ton of concrete holding your home down to the ground that is...comforting.
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carterbeauford
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Off today and making decisions on lighting. Can't decide on how many carriage lights to put on a 3 car garage, if I put 1 between the doors I'll have to buy 4 and have 1 left over. Considering just doing recessed LED lighting in the soffit over the garage and the same thing on the front porch too.
Also debating vertical board and batten on the top gable end of the garage.
Also debating vertical board and batten on the top gable end of the garage.
Trans damm
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how much are they charging you to install the soffit lighting? I am building a home in Staten island and curious about the price difference from here to PA.
Worked on a few houses with Superior walls. Not reassured at all by either the compressed gravel "footings" or the mere 1.75" thick concrete structure. Just read the other day some opinions here that a 4" thick shop floor is better at 6", and that's flat against gravel/the ground with much less weight on it.
One house has a 25x60 footprint: just installed the sill plates & before the modular was set, you could shake the Superior walls at the top by hand- could feel & see them move. The 1-story modular came in 2 sections, weighed 28-tons total.
Other house was a 6130 SF 2-story job. Can't imagine the weight there. I can tell you that job required a track hoe power hammer to bust up some rock inline with 1 section of the wall. Once house was complete, the marble flooring in the laundry/bathroom floor developed a circa 10-ft long crack after the house settled... apparently except where that stone had been.
- - - - -
I'd like to see concrete 4" 'columns' on the inside of Superior walls, maybe every 32" for rigidity. AND I'd prefer to see them installed on traditional poured concrete footings for me to consider using them on my home.
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carterbeauford
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builder usually charges $65 a can installed but the electrician said he'd try to get me a discount since I specified almost all cans and minimal fixtures.
Trans damm
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its $250 a piece for me for recessed lighting inside and $325 for EACH soffit light. its insane. I am going to let them do the first floor since I don't want them to open the ceiling back up but the second floor I will do after closing via attic. The pricing in NY is crazy
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carterbeauford
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I thought $65 was high because the lights were only like $22 at Lowes.
used to haul out of Pratt Paper on Victory Blvd all the time.
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carterbeauford
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Met with the flooring and tile subcontractor, not impressed. I asked if he used Ditra or at least cement board under tile and he said he uses fir plywood with a waterproofing layer. This sounds like cutting corners. I've never seen plywood under tile. Tile isn't that hard, I'm contemplating doing it myself.
He's not really interested in installing my reclaimed random width reclaimed 3/4" red oak with quartersawn figure because it's not the laminate he sells so I think I am looking for another flooring contractor.
He's not really interested in installing my reclaimed random width reclaimed 3/4" red oak with quartersawn figure because it's not the laminate he sells so I think I am looking for another flooring contractor.
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carterbeauford
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What's happening at the foundation ? something moved.
There is nothing wrong with a properly built block wall -- typically the footings have rebar sticking up and you fill the block solid w/concrete. Block is still very common around me.
There is nothing wrong with a properly built block wall -- typically the footings have rebar sticking up and you fill the block solid w/concrete. Block is still very common around me.
GirchyGirchy
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I'm just wondering why you're going to all this trouble and stress for a house you say you'll be living in <10 years.
Moose97
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The clearance on those direct vent fireplaces is typically 12". Your builder doesn't want to change it. On the other hand I think I like it better like this.
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carterbeauford
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footer not poured deep enough or soil underneath not compacted. if it's possible to do something to code yet do it wrong our builder did it.
asked myself that before even moving in, now it's <3 years. we tried to build a custom home with a tract builder and failed. I don't like the area or the house so it doesn't matter. I admit obsessing over every last detail and putting granite counters, oak floors and solid shaker oak doors in a starter home was a mistake.
I spent a month picking out the right American Standard stainless kitchen faucet and it lasted 3 months.
Two realtors told me I could sell it for $40K more than I have in it so I'm not that worried.
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jfleisher
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blkhonda1991
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Don't get me started on home builders.
When I built this house in 2000, I repeatedly requested a kitchen layout plan from the builder, they kept delaying. House was completed, I walk into the kitchen to find this...
1 12" wide drawer in the whole kitchen.
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carterbeauford
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you have to check on things weekly.
any luck with for salebyowner.com?
any luck with for salebyowner.com?
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carterbeauford
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hired a lawyer this morning and took some pictures for him, I'll share them here.
we went $2K over budget and the builder agreed he was going to eat it and walk away because of the **** work some of his subs did. he turns around and puts a lien on the property.
we paid him $210K for a house and he didn't even do a final walk through to see if there were outlet covers. 15 minute trip to Home Depot and $2 but it's the principle of the matter.
if builders like this are HBA members what credibility does the HBA have?
we went $2K over budget and the builder agreed he was going to eat it and walk away because of the **** work some of his subs did. he turns around and puts a lien on the property.
we paid him $210K for a house and he didn't even do a final walk through to see if there were outlet covers. 15 minute trip to Home Depot and $2 but it's the principle of the matter.
if builders like this are HBA members what credibility does the HBA have?
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