| In today's post we are going to discuss how to | | | | from your excavators work. Run 4 block out in |
| build a block foundation and the tools you will need | | | | one direction then 3 block in the other direction |
| to complete this task. You should have a good | | | | for your first course and then lay the subsequent |
| construction knowledge and be in good physical | | | | courses on top dropping back 1/2 of a block in |
| shape before attempting to do this. One thing you | | | | each course in each direction till you are left with |
| should do though is have the hole dug and the | | | | one block at the top. Check your elevations |
| footers in place by a licensed excavator to ensure | | | | frequently with your laser to be sure that all your |
| you at least have a good starting point. | | | | corners are working out to be the same height. It |
| Lets go over what you will need for this job first, | | | | is very important that leads are level, square and |
| you will need a cement mixer, partner saw, | | | | plum, this will make the whole job alot easier if it |
| wheelbarrow, mortar boards,a laser for elevations, | | | | is. |
| scaffolding and plank if you are building a | | | | After all your leads are up attach your line to |
| basement. The hand tools you will need are a | | | | your line bar and pull it tight from one lead to |
| trowel, hammer, striker, chalk box, line, line bars | | | | another on the same course. Spread your mortar |
| and a 2ft and 4ft. level. | | | | down the chalk lines and start laying block, try to |
| So lets get started, with your footers in place the | | | | line the bottom of the block up with the chalk line |
| first you need to do is layout your job and mark | | | | and the top of the block with the top line. after |
| all of your corners with a concrete nail or a pencil. | | | | that course is in it gets a bit easier be sure that |
| This can be a time consuming process so be sure | | | | your block aren't lipping over at bottom and keep |
| you have someone to help you measure | | | | running them to the top line but be sure that |
| everything out to be square. After you have you | | | | none of the block touch the line, stay off of it |
| corners marked take your chalk box and pull it | | | | about 1/8 inch and you should be good. Continue |
| from corner to corner and snap a line mark down | | | | this process over and over till your walls are up |
| onto your footer, this is the line that your block | | | | and job is complete, also be sure to strike and |
| will follow. | | | | brush your wall frequently to be sure that it is |
| Next you will need to establish your elevations | | | | sealed good. Also every two courses it is a good |
| with your laser, i recommend you get a self | | | | idea to put a layer of derwal between the |
| leveling laser because the slightest error in this | | | | courses, it is required by code in some areas. |
| step can be very bad in getting your foundation | | | | If you are still unsure on how to do this project |
| level. Establish which corner is the highest and use | | | | hire a qualified contractor to complete the job for |
| it to set all of your other heights. Be sure to | | | | you. Block foundation costs are still typically |
| mark each corner with how much you need to | | | | cheaper than poured walls, about 30% or so and |
| raise it so you don't get confused. | | | | they are just as good or better in most cases |
| Now it is time to build your leads, with all your | | | | because the masons have much more control |
| corners marked lay in your first course, if you | | | | over heights of corners thus leaving you a more |
| need to raise a corner try to do as much as you | | | | level finished project. And if you want you can |
| can if the first course. Use jamb block for your | | | | then fill all your block with concrete thus giving |
| corners, ones without ears on them it will make | | | | you a solid block, concrete wall. It is also a good |
| the job look nicer and they are much easier to | | | | idea to drop a piece of rebar in every 4 foot as |
| level up as well. You can get up to about 1 inch of | | | | well and pack it in with concrete, this is also |
| height with a heavy bead of mortar under your | | | | sometimes required by code. |
| first course, hopefully all your corners are close | | | | |