Cinder blocks are the typical hollow building blocks you'd think of. As a result, they lack the strength and resistance to weather and pressure that concrete blocks possess. Most contractors won't recommend them for many load-bearing jobs.
With proper installation and quality materials, concrete block foundations can last for 100 years or longer. Regular inspections and prompt repairs help extend their lifespan.
Cinder blocks can be a viable option for a small home foundation, but there are several factors to consider: Advantages: Cost-Effective: Cinder blocks are generally less expensive than poured concrete foundations. Ease of Installation: They can be easier to work with for DIY projects, allowing for quicker construction.
Concrete blocks can cause seepage damage in areas with high water tables. Concrete blocks are strong but porous and allow water to penetrate. Water is persistent and will seek the path of least resistance. It can eventually make its way through walls and cause damage.
The production of cinder blocks revolutionized the concrete block industry and the name cinder block was popularized and stuck long after the blocks were being made. After WWII, better technology and production habits put an end to the production of cinder.
Water intrusion: The joints between blocks make this type of foundation more prone to leaks, particularly if not properly waterproofed. Weaker lateral strength: Block foundations are more likely to bow or crack under pressure from soil or water, especially if they aren't fully reinforced with rebar.
Cinderblock foundations are sometimes referred to as concrete block foundations. They are constructed in a similar fashion as brick foundations. These types of foundations are especially prone to leakage for the following main reasons: The concrete blocks used to build the foundations are hollow.
Price: Generally, slab foundations are your cheapest option when it comes to foundations, an excellent choice if budget is front-of-mind.
Poured concrete foundation walls are arguably stronger than cinder block foundation walls. Without joints, poured walls possess a greater lateral strength, which essentially means they have a greater ability to resist pressure presented by water and the soil from the outside.
Block doesn't rot, warp or grow mold, and it stands up remarkably well to even the most extreme weather. Even with a lifespan of up to 100 years, you can be sure the building's structural integrity isn't compromised over the years like it can be with wood.
Concrete seems like a stable and permanent material, but it remains porous and will absorb water. When this water trapped inside the concrete freezes, it pushes the cement binder apart. This expansion, and the resulting contraction when the water melts again, causes crumbling.
Most block foundations were done from the 30's through the 60's. They are characterized by these alternating blocks with mortar. Very much like brick, but on a larger scale.
Block foundations are prone to stair-step cracks. These types of cracks happen along mortar joints and pose a serious threat to the integrity of your basement foundation. There are two common causes of stair-step cracks: Foundation settlement or sinking in one area.
A foundation wall replacement may be necessary if you notice: Horizontal cracks along cinder block walls, indicating excessive lateral soil pressure. Diagonal cracks near corners, a sign of leaning walls. Bulging walls where pocketed I-beams push outward.
Poured concrete is the strongest type of foundation for a house. Concrete is incredibly strong and durable, and it can be poured into any shape. This makes it ideal for supporting the weight of a house. Block foundations are also very strong, but they are not as flexible as poured concrete.
Prefab homes: Modular or manufactured homes are more affordable because their structures are partially built off-site, rather than building a fully custom house on-site. Tiny homes: A tiny home may be the cheapest type of house to build.
Which Is Better? Poured concrete foundations tend to be more popular than cinder block foundations, but the type that's right for your home will depend on your specific circumstances. Cinder block foundations offer more compression strength, which means that they can support more overhead weight.
Homes built with walls of a single wythe of split face or concrete block are more prone to water leakage, and therefore the foundation could also become compromised. Any crack or fracture is a pathway for more moisture to intrude and cause more extensive damage.
If the conditions are right, concrete building blocks have a lifespan of 100 years or more. This makes them a very durable building material.
Concrete block homes provide a greater durability and protection against earthquakes and fire than home built from wood, a concern for all Southern Californian homeowners. Also, owners of concrete block homes do not have to worry about problems of wood warping and termite damage like owners of wood framed homes.