How do you lay cinder block for a foundation of a building?

Answer 1

After you get the plans made up by an engineer, they will tell you the correct size of the block that you need. Then you have to pour concrete below ground and make it level to put your block on. You make a streight line and follow it for the forst course, then you make your corner and when thats done, Lay a new row of block, but do not let the joints line up with the blocks below, they must be staggered all the way to the top. I don't know where you live, ask you local block provider what cement mix you should use in that area.
Good luck

Answer 2

Building foundations, depending on the location, the building codes in control, and the materials, do not usually consist of "cinder blocks".

Depending on the structure to be erected, the first step is normally digging out the soil and pouring a concrete "footer".

If your plans call for a block wall above the footer, they will be concrete, not "cinder" blocks, and there may be requirements for reinforcing bar in the voids, as well as solid pours in the voids.

This is a question for your local architect.

Answer 3

The hard way or the easy way?

Of course, you need a footing, as other posters said, and the width of it depends on what kind of load you are putting on it, and what kind of soil you are building on. The depth depends on the frost depth in your area. The size of the block also depends on the load you are going to have.
Ok: So you have the footing in, and you have your block...the "hard way" that takes a fair amount of skill and time is to lay the block in a mortar bed, stagger the joints, keeping everything nice a square, etc....and laying down mortar between each course as you go up. This takes practice, because you need to mix the mortar right to keep it consistant, and you have to develop a good touch to pick up the mortar and lay down a consistant amount each time so you don't have a lot of adjusting to do. You have to butter the ends with a consistant amount of mortar, or you will have joints that are too big or too small and will need adjusting, too. Masons are very skilled folks!

There is a much easier way: Surface bonded block. With this method, you lay the first course in mortar, but you don't need to butter the ends. You just lay them end to end, keeping them level. Then, you lay the next course on without any mortar except some dabs to keep the courses level. You stagger the joints, and keep laying on all the courses up to your finished elevation. Then, both sides are coated with an 1/8" thick "parge" of surface bonded mortar. The resulting wall is as strong in compression as a "conventional" block and mortar wall, and stronger in flexation (bending).

Answer 4

You need to have a level area on undisturbed soil (not loosened up). You first have to pour a footing of concrete to hold up the weight of the foundation. If you are using 8"x8"x16" blocks, the footing needs to be 16" wide and 8" deep. Start your blocks at the corner of the building. Using Portland cement. Spread cement under the block and at the end of each. Place blocks end to end. the second row has to be staggered. (cut a block in half).

Answer 5

Aside from answers stating semantics in your name given to the block, there are valid suggestions. I live in Central FL, and many homes are done in both ways, being a poured slab first, then blocked, or FOOTERS to the proper code depth and Blocked.

In any event, without having any detail from you, and answer here can't offer much more than that.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

Start with a concrete footing approx. 24" wide. If you can, have a surveyor pin every outside cornrer of your foundation in the concrete. after that you can start to lay the block using a chalk line from one pin to anotherto keep the lines straight. Also, use this video for a demonstration.... http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Laying_a_Cement_Block_Wall--T275.html

Answer 7

call someone who has a good reputation and go look at a foundation they have done, its not rocket surgery, but its not something you want to take on yourself. your whole house will be sitting on this...i would not use anything smaller than a 10 inch block if you are planning a full basement.

Answer 8

Another method might be to form the area, leaving one form a couple of inches open at the bottom of the wall. Mix a semi-dry concrete with pea gravel mix and pack the void. Pack it in tight and smooth the unformed area out.

Answer 9

If you have to ask, you shouldn't be doing it.
This kind of work is a skill and should not be attempted by an amature.

Answer 10

on a solid foundation with mortar between them