Old Basement Walls Built With Pouring Concrete Into Wood Forms

Another area where cracks are commonly found is at the bottom of the basement walls.

Old basement walls built with pouring concrete into wood forms.

Many consider aluminum and steel wall forming systems to be more productive efficient and even economical than wood forming. Historically this has been one of the most common forms of building basement walls. Poured concrete basements are probably the most common type construction. Typically homebuilders will have a concrete foundation cure for about 7 10 days in our region so we must practice some patience.

Forms are used to hold the wall in place as they dry. Plywood forms are typically used where unique wall shapes sizes and embedment characteristics are present. Concrete tends to flake and break away easily which is difficult and costly to repair. As the name suggests poured concrete basement construction begins with the pouring of a footing for the foundation.

I have seen many homes over 100 years old with wooden basements and concrete basements. Concrete wall forms are typically made of plywood aluminum or steel. When a foundation is poured its footing a wide flat base made from concrete and reinforced steel designed. Cast in place cip concrete walls are made with ready mix concrete placed into removable forms erected on site.

Finally with the weather cooperating progress has been going great. 2 x 4 s and 3 4 forming plywood works best. Thicker slabs require thicker sheathing which may be pine boards or plywood. The same techniques used below grade can be repeated with above grade walls to form the first floor and upper levels of homes.

The width and depth of the sheathing is dependent on the amount of concrete being poured. In heavy rains and harsh conditions wood is quicker to dry than concrete. With wood it is much easier to repair reinforce. People prefer this option because it s sturdy and simple.

The 2 x 4 s should be no 2 kiln dried pine simply because it is cheap easy to work with and holds nails very well. If they will be reused then use treated lumber. 1 inch by 4 inch boards are generally stout enough for up to 4 inches of concrete. Place the first piece of wood sheathing along the string line.

The plywood needs to be of forming quality. The form will be lightweight and strong. Use treated wood if the wood will come into contact with concrete such as the wood floor plates of framed walls or wood furring strips that attach directly to basement walls.