I'm assuming that there is a continuous footing under this section of the wall? Can you say if they filled the block cores? If they did fill the block cores, do you know if they used any rebar? I'm not in a position to say for sure that it would be ok but people who would know will surely need the same information.

For what it's worth, I bought a 40 year old house that was 2 stories built on a hollow block wall and it had no structural issues. Since the gap in your wall is small I imagine it would be fine. I would think you could double up the rim joist forming a header and it would give extra support if it was going to keep you up at night. Again, someone else will probably have better information than this.

I'm almost positive they didn't use rebar or fill the block. The only weight that wall would be handling is the slab for the porch which would be leading to the front door.

ali

i posted in your other post.

but call the inspector to check it out. this post you say no real weight is going on it ,but why would they need it there then. hope they are not going to support your brick front with this mess.

One concern is the stability of the cinder blocks. The block doesn't seem to be tied or mortared to the poured wall. If they backfill against the cinderblock without filling in under the porch, that bit of wall will eventually collapse into the space behind. Then you'll have a sinkhole next to your front porch.

What is going in to the right of the picture? There is a big opening and a small cinderblock wall in the lower right of the picture?

Just curious here, as I definitely don't claim to know much about foundations (except for some issues with my own home).

Have you seen the blueprints? The reason I ask is that, from the picture, it all just seems so "intentional." The gap looks purposeful, as do the cinderblocks.

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

I've seen the blue prints, see if the link below helps, it's what my house will look like and the area in question is the front porch leading to the front door. The builder said, it's going to have gravel and earth supporting it, I'm waiting to hear back if it's going to have that on both sides which it better!

http://geocities.com/eidaj2/Huron-Model.jpg

The builder said they will be filling the inside of the hole 1/2 to 2/3 with dirt and that it shouldn't be a problem at all. He said they do it that way because they pour the foundation and the porch foundation at the same time and don't have the form to tie them in together. My Translation; it's fast/cheaper for us to do it this way.....

What I see in the picture is very poor quality workmanship. The block should have a 1/2" mortar joint between every block including the head joints (vertical joints) and these do not. These blocks were also poorly cut and not sized properly to maintain a 1/2 block staggered bond.

If this is supposed to replace a poured concrete section that is missing just because "they do not have the proper forms" then the blocks should be staggered by half (8") leaving the hollow cells lined up vertically. The cores should have vertical #4 rebar drilled and epoxied into the concrete footing. There should also be rebar drilled into the sides of the opening every 16” to secure the block to the sides. Then the block should be poured full of pea gravel concrete or grout.

There is no way the quality of the work I see in the photo can even come close to replacing the missing section of poured concrete.

It may work long enough for them to get their money and get through the warrantee period but what then? Get them to redo it right!

Glenn

Moderator: Construction Systems, Foundations, and Masonry & Stone

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