Block vs Poured Concrete Basement Walls

In this VLOG I talk about Block walls vs Poured Concrete walls. We went with block walls due to cost, and the contractor preferred them over poured walls. I am not sure what is best, and way one is better than the other. In my current home I have block walls, we have never had any problems. You do need to make sure the gutter are clean and the pipes that take the water away from the home are clean.

[@bill193]

What a conversation

[@WILSON.1]

Makes video about Block vs Concrete, literally says, “you know, I don’t know which is better, block or poured concrete.”

[@sonnyjordan1911]

Glad to see your making progress God bless

[@whatsnext9512]

Hey, watched your video, and will be binge watching all of your stuff on this build. I'm just starting to build my own - same set up as yours. I wanted poured walls, but the cost difference was dramatic enough to elect blocks. I did decide on 12" wide block with 24"x24" footing reinforced with #4 (and some #5) rebar for footing, and #4 vertical rebar for walls spaced about 2 feet apart tied to the bottom of the footing rebar. I would like to know if there's anything you wish you did either differently or supplemental to your block installation later in time? Thanks.

[@MultiTasker888]

In my experience with poured walls, a block wall with a solid tar coating and proper drainage is better than a poured wall with a poor coating and drainage

[@nyleslehnen4751]

Agreed

[@guruofendtimes819]

The problem is block has a joint around every block in the wall which can crack and be a pathway for water. But above grade it'll work fine with 1 in stucco on the exterior and 1-in foam on the inside plus furry strips and drywall.

[@turdferguson12]

Looks great! What was the cost? I just got a price of $29,200 to pour my 2250 sq ft basement. Trying to find something to compare with.

[@koogle612]

We do pours out here in NCal with plenty of rebar (earthquake country). I researched block work & it is far far less expensive than buying & forming all that lumber - 2 guys 2 weeks for a stepped foundation ranging from 12 inches tall at the top of the slope up to 4 ft at the high point of the two steps of the walls so 0-8 ft basically going down hill for a 46 x 48 ft footprint plus all the groundwork, tying steel, fill in w gravel (we used a conveyor belt truck which did it in a few hrs Vs. wheel barrow - another 3000.00 including the gravel) for slab pour & finish (flat work by a crew - 3000.00 for that day) which was perfect - 4 man crew. Pours are quick but pricey about 135.00/yard - lost count of how many trucks we got. Anyway if at all possible when I could I'd do block in a second! I just dont have that skill unfortunately. The savings are definitely worth learning it though.

[@saudinightmare8034]

👌

[@factsNcomments-imho]

Are they gonna put in rebar dowels coming up from footings? They continue on up as you build cmu foundation-wall. For gods sake make sure they do that. Or correct if I'm wrong and there is good reason not to. Please explain.

[@C-DFarms]

They did put rebar along with rebar and grout every 4 foot in the cells.

[@factsNcomments-imho]

@@C-DFarms did they tie footing to cells with rebar dowels?

[@sonnyjordan1911]

When is more videos coming miss not seeing what's going on

[@C-DFarms]

Very soon. Hope to have one this week.

[@davefreeman1499]

I always thought poured walls were better but maybe not.

[@C-DFarms]

Do your research, each area may be different. If I was in an area with a higher water table with a lot of rain each year. The poured walls may be better. For me I could not see the extra cost. Thanks for the feedback.

[@duke5867]

Is there a big price difference?

[@koogle612]

Huge!

[@emzirek]

your intro is TOO LOUD!! compared to the speaking part...Just about took me out of my chair...Need to tone that down so it flows like buttah!!

[@C-DFarms]

I will work on that.

[@NIGHTNOTLOC]

It was fine

[@nyleslehnen4751]

Im up on a bluff but want good solid drainage around my walls and get heavy downpours here by Omaha i dunno weather to go block or poured gonna double up waterproofing and use pvc on french drains anyways …. Whats ur take on cost difference?