Basement (poured walls v cinder block)

• JD413

  

  Holy shit there is a lot of information out there. I'm really just looking for opinions of those who have personal experience, or know someone (close friends or family) who has constructed a basement.
  
  So...poured walls or block? And why?
• se-alum

  

  Poured. Less opportunity for leaks, and poured walls are stronger. All the seams in block walls are weakness and an opportunity for a leak. Seal up to ground level on the outside of the poured walls.
• Tiernan

  Used to be about 10 - 15% more for poured, are you seeing that as still the case? Even at that the chance of less problems down the road would be worth it.
• sherm03

  

  Definitely poured.
  
  And se-alum is right, seal it up with a waterproof membrane on the outside before back filling the dirt to prevent water from coming in down the road.
• JD413

  

  Tiernan;1598716 wrote:Used to be about 10 - 15% more for poured, are you seeing that as still the case? Even at that the chance of less problems down the road would be worth it.

  The cost is higher, yes, and I think the overall percentage depends on many factors. Poured walls could be done in less time even if the material comes at a higher cost. Time is money, from construction to site supervision.
  
  I'm starting to believe that it's all the old school folks who shun change that believe concrete block is the way to go.
• se-alum

  

  I honestly didn't know anyone really used block for basements anymore, my parents put their house in almost 20 years ago, and they had the walls poured.
• JD413

  

  Mine too, se-alum.
  
  Although they live in a partially underground home. Pretty neat.
• JD413

  

  Ever seen the million dollar homes in New Albany being constructed? Some are block basements. There are some cheaply made expensive homes in that town.
• WebFire

  Poured. Not sure why anyone would tell you otherwise other than cost.
• JD413

  

  ^ That's what I've been thinking. Just wanted some personal opinions on the matter if anyone had any.
• sportchampps

  Just bought our house and we had poured walls put in
• Belly35

  

  Pour walls without question however a basement in some areas without a sub pump is a problem.
• WebFire

  Belly35;1598971 wrote:Pour walls without question however a basement in some areas without a sub pump is a problem.

  Sump pump. And yes, anywhere it rains should have one.
• redrocket

  

  Poured walls, drier, stronger, you can backfill a poured wall but you better have a house on a block wall before you backfill.
• salto

  

  ccrunner609;1598888 wrote:Spent years doing poured wall basements.......paid my college doing concrete. Love poured wall.

  I bet you wish you had a basement don't you?
• adog

  The house I live was built in 1973 with poured walls. I bought the house in 2000 and the poured walls was one of the selling points for me....Poured > block
• TedSheckler

  

  My basement is block because I'm poor.
• JD413

  

  ^ Hope this helps?
• TedSheckler

  

  JD413;1599356 wrote:^ Hope this helps?

  No. I don't give a shit.
• Mooney44Cards

  

  I'm a realtor and a home inspector of about 30 years told me that cinder block is probably the worst possible material to build basement walls out of.
• dlazz

  My basement is made of gold and diamonds.
  
  smd, y'all
• JD413

  

  dlazz;1603550 wrote:My basement is made of gold and diamonds.
  
  smd, y'all

  That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?
• dlazz

  JD413;1603796 wrote:That where you keep your backpacks full of black dildos?

  Of course.