a masonary Question.

[Aquaticedge]

hey, I am hoping someone can tell me how to do this project. Our front porch has been damaged by water or termites, and the wood is nearly shot. Can you tell me how to lay concrete block form to pour concrete in? a pictorial Guide would be Awesome but a simple explanation of the steps and how to actually do this correctly. I'd like to make the support columns out of brick but I dont know how to do that either... any help would be appreciated.

[kknudson]

Here in the north we need to go down below the frost line, you don't have that issue. Although it's been pretty cold down there lately !!!!


Do you need a constant foundation, or just post footings to set the posts on.

For just post footings, I would buy one of several products, basically a large cardboard tube, they make plastic ones too. Dig a hole, set it in, cut it and fill it.

You might be able to get away with basically a five gallon bucket set in the ground and filled with concrete adding a post anchor as it sets.
Check code requirements for depth etc,

I've seen, never used premade sets, look like a pryamid(?), dig them in a lttle ways and set you post on them.
Won't work here, maybe there. Check code !!!

[Aquaticedge]

I was actually not planning on using wood for the redo, It's a poor choice to use on the exterrior in florida, I was thinking of making a wall, Then filling in the area between the house and the wall with some sand to a certain level and then having concrete poured over it. It eliminates this problem once and for all, For structural support I was going to install a brick support column

[MAG58]

Watch the water table. Unlike up here, the water table in florida is unusually high.

[Aquaticedge]

Thats true.. Dig down a few feet and strike water. I've always wanted to see how deep you can go.. but we're on a slight hill (not far from GA) so I think I would have to dig more then I want to..

Originally Posted by MAG58

Watch the water table. Unlike up here, the water table in florida is unusually high.

[Stoneseller]

Originally Posted by Aquaticedge

I was thinking of making a wall, Then filling in the area between the house and the wall with some sand to a certain level and then having concrete poured over it. It eliminates this problem once and for all

I'm not familiar with typical building practices in FL, but filling that area with sand sounds like a bad idea to me. It seems to me you would be creating a nice cavity in which water would tend to sit for a long time, which in turn could cause staining, mildew, moss, etc on all the surrounding surfaces.
Far better to use a very coarse crushed stone, old broken up concrete/bricks, or some other recycled masonry. This would leave lots of air spaces that will encourage moisture to leave the area, as opposed to the sand helping it to hang around.

Your local building codes should define what is required in the way of a footing. I always like to exceed the requirements a little.

Laying up cinderblock & brick is fairly easy for the average handy DIY'er to do is the structure will not be seen.
If it will be visible, pay someone who does this for a living. The result will be dramatically more eye appealing.

[Stoneseller]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VGjA66RSm0&feature=PlayList&p=62355DC7CB6879F9&index=3

After you do your project about 1000 times you will be like him

[Aquaticedge]

he makes it look easy... and I know it's not..

[my83300cd]

Originally Posted by Stoneseller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VGjA66RSm0&feature=PlayList&p=62355DC7CB6879F9&index=3

After you do your project about 1000 times you will be like him

Nothing quite like having a good apprentice setting up the job site so the mason can get to work!

Next time some local guy whines about how heavy 12" block is and and why can't he substitute 8" I think I'll just send the link as my reply.