MonkeyTom Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Hello, New to the site and to building but just poured some concrete founds. Foundation blocks seem hard to get hold of at the moment. Is anybody else having this problem at the moment. Has anybody worked out the best and most cost effective alternative? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Hello and welcome, where in the world are you building? This affects supply. Also there are loads of people struggling to get supplies at the moment, the demand has rocketed while supplies are down due to covid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyTom Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 Hi Mark, Thanks for the reply. I'm in the north east. I'm able to source and have prices for everything to get me to the roof being tiled other than the foundation blocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Sounds like you are in a better position than many on here, I can’t offer any suggestions but I’m sure someone will be able to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyshouse Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Fill the trenches with concrete, known as trench fill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangti6 Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Block on flat? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonkeyTom Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 Thank you for the reply tonyshouse. I've already filled the founds to 450mm below ground. Do you know whether I can overfill the foundation to bring it up and whether this could cause an issue with integrity / building regs? It does otherwise seem like a good solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshine Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, MonkeyTom said: Thank you for the reply tonyshouse. I've already filled the founds to 450mm below ground. Do you know whether I can overfill the foundation to bring it up and whether this could cause an issue with integrity / building regs? It does otherwise seem like a good solution. My understanding with trench fill is you typically bring it to 150mm below ground level. Though one thing you may want to consider is because you are pouring two layers of foundation, you may need to structurally link them with rebar. like this in vertical https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/4-foundations/4-3-strip-and-trench-fill-foundations/4-3-13-construction-joints/ I have just done this, where the footings are about to be poured over a mass foundation as below (i embedded the rebar in just after the pour) in your case if you want to do this, you are going to have to drill into the existing concrete and affix rebar studs in it Edited August 2, 2021 by Moonshine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Moonshine said: Though one thing you may want to consider is because you are pouring two layers of foundation, you may need to structurally link them with rebar. No this should not be required if they are just being topped up. Clear it first with BCO. Edited August 2, 2021 by Mr Punter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshine Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 53 minutes ago, Mr Punter said: No this should not be required if they are just being topped up. Clear it first with BCO. Hopefully that is the case as retrospectively doing it would be a pain in the bum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 use 7n blocks and fill the cav. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz07 Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 Has any long term studies been done with Aircrete foundation blocks below ground? My place is on them. Manufacturers used to say they handle freeze thaw better due to air but is that just a gimmick? I suppose once earth is compacted either side of wall where can it go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Potter Posted August 2, 2021 Share Posted August 2, 2021 4 hours ago, MonkeyTom said: Hello, New to the site and to building but just poured some concrete founds. Foundation blocks seem hard to get hold of at the moment. Is anybody else having this problem at the moment. Has anybody worked out the best and most cost effective alternative? Hello MonkeyTom. 3 hours ago, dangti6 said: Block on flat? 41 minutes ago, Dave Jones said: use 7n blocks and fill the cav. Good options above. Post what width of wall you need to build and the depth from finished ground level to top of found and you should get some more detailed suggestions. 28 minutes ago, Oz07 said: Has any long term studies been done with Aircrete foundation blocks below ground? My place is on them. Manufacturers used to say they handle freeze thaw better due to air but is that just a gimmick? I suppose once earth is compacted either side of wall where can it go Oz07. Don't know if long terms studies have been done but I don't think it's a gimmick as the blocks should have been subject to a freeze thaw test to determine durability before being approved to sell. Aside..if anyone is tempted to buy "seconds" i.e ones going cheep make sure you know why they are cheep and that they are still ok! Fine maybe for a garden shed / green house base but your house? We know for example that air entrained concrete is more resistant to freezing effects as simplistically the air bubbles give space for the ice crystals to grow into. Aircrete block have plenty "bubbles" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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