Can You Use Concrete Blocks For the Foundation?
Can You Use Concrete Blocks For the Foundation?
Yes, you can use concrete blocks as the foundation of your house or other structure because they can hold more weight than poured concretes.
A foundation is an area in which a structure rests, such as an existing old home, a new home being built, or the ground on which a new home will be built. The key components of a concrete block foundation are the slab and footing.
The slab is located at ground level, in which the base of your house will sit. The footing contains rebar reinforcement and extends down into the soil to support the weight of your house.
With proper planning, you can use these materials to build any structure to suit your needs.
What’s The Difference Between Concrete Blocks And Breeze Blocks?
A breeze block is a concrete block formed from a concrete and ash mixture. Other concrete blocks may be used using clinker, sand, or gravel as fillers.
However, in certain parts of the world, whether or not ash is included, these blocks are referred to generically as “breeze blocks,” whereas concrete blocks are created without ash fillers.
Breeze blocks are used primarily in gardens and landscape-level work, where their friable (crumbly) nature makes them ideal for drainage applications.
Breeze blocks are not generally recommended for structural applications nor as a replacement for standard concrete blocks, with the exception of use in exterior environments where fire resistance is not important.
How Much Do Concrete Splash Blocks Cost?
Concrete splash blocks are available at your local hardware store. Home Depot and Lowe’s carry both concrete blocks and brick splash blocks. These blocks range from about $6 to $12, depending on their size and where you purchase them.
However, the everyday low price is $9.99 for the concrete splash block at Menards. It’s the same size. A concrete splash block is a great option if you need to block off your water heater, sump pump, and sprinkler system or if you want a decorative addition to your yard.
So as you can see, concrete blocks are still popular when building a wall or creating an accent in your yard. They are not only cheap and easy to find, but they also have become popular once again with the new trends in landscaping and gardening.
The original concrete blocks were made from clay, so although these newer versions don’t have all the same benefits as their predecessors, they sure come close enough for use in many applications.
Should Cinder Blocks Be Filled With Concrete?
No, the cavity inside concrete blocks should not be filled with concrete. The purpose of hollow concrete blocks is to reduce the weight of the wall. A weak wall could collapse if the concrete is used to fill up the hollow space.
For a solid wall, use solid reinforced concrete blocks. The filling is not suggested in most circumstances because once the joining solution (tar or concrete) used to unite cinder blocks hardens, whatever you put within will transfer moisture inwards.
Also, even if you add soil, moisture will be present. Of course, the concrete will be moist and the soil damp, and an environment for mold to flourish.
Should Concrete Blocks Be Sealed?
Yes, concrete blocks should be sealed. Concrete blocks must be treated and sealed before they may be used. The finest waterproofing treatments for concrete blocks may be hand-rolled, sprayed on, or applied with a liquid adhesive to prepped walls.
A product like epoxy grout makes it possible to seal broken concrete blocks and waterproof a cinder block wall. Concrete blocks are used for building new walls and other structures and can also be used for solid floors.
Sealing and waterproofing concrete blocks are the most common reason for sealing or waterproofing a cinder block wall.
