Barn foundation replacement

CM1995 said: Here it's a sill plate whether on a concrete wall, slab or second story wood floor. Click to expand... A sill, or sill plate rests flat on the foundation. Typically, a box sill rests on that, it closes all sides of the floor joists. Sub floor lays on top of the box sill & floor joists. Shoe goes on top of sub floor. Studs stand vertically on the shoe. A horizontal plate, usually two layers at top of studs. Second floor will have another box sill.

Willie B said: A sill, or sill plate rests flat on the foundation. Typically, a box sill rests on that, it closes all sides of the floor joists. Sub floor lays on top of the box sill & floor joists. Shoe goes on top of sub floor. Studs stand vertically on the shoe. A horizontal plate, usually two layers at top of studs. Second floor will have another box sill. Click to expand... Hmm not here. CM1995 said: Here it's a sill plate whether on a concrete wall, slab or second story wood floor. Click to expand...

CM1995 said: Hmm not here. Click to expand... I don't think the horses and chickens will care what it's called...

CM1995 said: Me neither. Call it a sill plate down here. So you are going to use the mafia blocks to rebuild the foundation wall or did I miss something? Click to expand... Yes, that's the plan. I guess my first post wasn't very clear about what kind of blocks I will be using.

Tinkerer said: All the mafia blocks I have seen are made out of left over concrete that was returned to the readymix company from a pour. Some of it can be well into it's curing time. Some blocks are decent quality and some not so much. I saw one maybe more in your photo that I would guess won't last very long through very many freeze and thaw cycles. View attachment 351376 Click to expand... Yes there are certainly some blocks that aren't as good as others. If there are any that look questionable I won't use them.

Baxsie said: That is a really good argument for building codes, permitting, and inspections . If somebody bought that property and barn 6 years ago and thought that they were getting a good building, they would be feeling pretty ripped off when they found out that it didn't even last another decade. Click to expand... Maybe there should be codes and inspections for equipment repair also to reduce the chances of getting ripped off buying a used piece of equipment...

I would hedge my bets on that build. stack the blocks, Get some allcrete and grout the joints, then apply some waterproofing after it cures, or apply a membrane. Then install footing drains all around, and some free draining material. Then the blocks get dry and stay dry forever. Frost can just $@^#$&B OFF!

CM1995 said: Here it's a sill plate whether on a concrete wall, slab or second story wood floor. Click to expand... Framed new homes for several years, never heard the term shoe when referring to sill plates, shoe molding when doing finish yes. But that's in these parts.

Started laying blocks yesterday

3/4" of rain and 50° on Friday melted a lot of snow, so now it's easier getting around with the rubber tracked Mecalac.

As much as I don't like the warm weather in winter, it does allow for some progress on this foundation. Unfortunately there is ice and snow on a lot of the blocks so we've had to melt of the mating surfaces with the torch so that it doesn't cause issues with the mortar. Sneaking the first top block under the building. Had to jack it up a few more inches to get clearance for the keyway: I set this full size block on top of the half block for about an hour and they were frozen solid together when I went back to pick it up. A few good whacks with the sledgehammer and the bottom one dropped away: Slowly but surely:

Have you devised a plan for the inevitable splash from the foundation larger than the barn?

Willie B said: Have you devised a plan for the inevitable splash from the foundation larger than the barn? Click to expand... I'd flash it with angled metal roof panels. Some blow in will get behind it, but leave it an out and 99% of water will go the way you want.

Id give it a good coat of paint or some oil because if water gets behind it will take a long time to dry out. I'd use any left over paint, color won't matter if you decide to cover it.

Do you remember if was it vibrated or was that pour before the time of vibration? Damn it now I have to Google how they did it before the vibrating whips

Willie B said: Have you devised a plan for the inevitable splash from the foundation larger than the barn? Click to expand... Not yet. Will probably use some sort of flashing, also crushed stone at the drip line to minimize splashing.

smifwal said: Do you remember if was it vibrated or was that pour before the time of vibration? Damn it now I have to Google how they did it before the vibrating whips Click to expand... I don't believe it was vibrated but I could be wrong. It was poured in 2012 or 13 I think.

ps66x4 said: Id give it a good coat of paint or some oil because if water gets behind it will take a long time to dry out. I'd use any left over paint, color won't matter if you decide to cover it. Click to expand... The blocks or the siding?

I was referring to the siding.

Concrete trucks weren't always a thing in rural areas. A concrete pour was a big undertaking. The leader of the project prepared everything in advance. Gravel was brought from the best deposit in the area, most wasn't suitable. Portland cement in bags was delivered. Needed a good supply of water, if it wasn't on site, a fire truck or two. A mixer was there, usually had to be repaired to use it. Forms were built, ramps in place, plenty of good rugged wheelbarrows. Many people were recruited for a weekend. In my childhood my father was involved in numerous pours. These were highly competent people there for a reason. A vibrator? what was that for? Forms were built free of obstructions. Steel was rare. The pour took many hours, many water or air pockets found their way to the surface on their own. People "puddled" the wet concrete to work bubbles out. Of maybe 50 foundations I was present for, beginning 65 years ago, I don't know of a failure to this day. A failed poured concrete foundation, somebody fouled up, cut a corner, designed it poorly.