Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
(OP)
I have a job that has a ridiculously unlevel (or more correctly, not straight) stem wall. Three courses high. Supporting wood shear walls. Seismic Design B. 90 mph wind. Shear flow around 400 plf. Corrective action is needed.
I call for the cells to be grouted. Fortunately they have not been yet. I was thinking of forming off the top course about 4 inches and when pouring grout, pour on up to the top of the form and trowel off. Then puddle in anchor bolts and hold downs. Of course, longer anchor bolts will be needed now.
Anyone see a problem with this?
I call for the cells to be grouted. Fortunately they have not been yet. I was thinking of forming off the top course about 4 inches and when pouring grout, pour on up to the top of the form and trowel off. Then puddle in anchor bolts and hold downs. Of course, longer anchor bolts will be needed now.
Anyone see a problem with this?






RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Must not have been much control over the masonry, because common practice when a footing is not level is to gradually adjust the levelness at every mortar joint instead of blindly building a uniform height wall on an apparently incorrect strip footing.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Is there any evidence that the strip footing settled or cracked due to poor bearing?
I trust that raising the structure 2" will not interferre with any local height restrictions. Sometimes things are REAL tight that way...
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
I cant tell you how many homes I have framed perfectly square atop foundation walls that weren't even close.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Here's a pic...
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
I've framed homes too. Plenty. This just isn't acceptable to build off of.
Also, important to keep in mind is the same guy intends to frame it that is responsible for the unlevel wall.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Thats totally ridiculous!
Step one- get rid of the jackass that laid that block if he is also your framer.
Step Two- knock the top course of block off all the way around and form the top of the wall up to the elevation the block SHOULD have been.
Step Three- Pour CMU cells and top ~8" of newly formed wall in one shot with concrete/grout with anchors preset.
Step 4- Send bill to aforementioned jackass.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
I wrote a letter to the owner encouraging him to find a new GC too. This is one of those guys who builds crap homes and decided to build commercial during the down times. You wouldn't believe the headaches I've had so far. I've spent around 20 hours inspecting a 2' by 1' deep continuous footer that has (3)No. 5 bars, ties @ 24", and vertical dowels. UNBELIEVABLE...
Everything that has been done so far has been taken out and redone.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Nice Mike....it was either that or during many 12 oz. undulations.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
That did make me laugh out loud, but I can't bring myself to write that abbreviation on screen!
Luckily, the slab and exterior grade will eventually cover it up. It is a mess though, isn't it? Glad to have someone agree with me because (of course) the contractor thought it was great.
"Hell, hit won't matter once ya get the wood on hit." We live in a rural Appalachia area. I talk like that too actually.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Maybe this guy isn't a mason, but practices "masonary"...drives me nuts when people say that
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
I just zoomed in on the picture....I can't help it, that is the funniest thing I have seen in a while.
It looks like a Saw Tooth Roof.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
You are exactly right, it's like a saw tooth roof. Perfect comparison.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
You know the rest.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
This reminds me of when I had some old bricks laying around that I was going to make an outdoor fireplace out of, but I was moving and had to do something fast, so I hired a random guy off craigslist who "did brick work". Despite my better judgment on several aspects of this operation, I mocked up the wall on the ground dry and then coordinated on the phone as I was out of town. The result was similar to your photograph, as if he forgot his level at home and just said "aww, F it, it'll be close enough..."
Luckily all it was doing was separating my driveway from a landscape bed, and in the end it gave it a rustic look!
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
I'm not really going for the rustic look here.
Not kidding... my grandpa was nearly blind in his older age. Couldn't even write checks. He did some masonry work that looked much better than this. BLIND I TELL YA.
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall
RE: Unlevel CMU Stem Wall