Interior sheating for a cement block house
Interior sheating for a cement block house
(OP)
I own a two story, 50 years old house made of cement blocks on a cement foundation on heavy clay soil.
I wanted to renovate it so it was completely striped inside( save for the floors).
Last year in winter it went un-heated for a while and developed four long cracks from top to bottom, not far from the four corners of the house. After re-heating the basement, it went back to the original position
a) The contractor placed a metal strap across each crack on the interior side of the exterior walls at each level (basement, first and second floor)
b) 2x6 walls were build on the interior side of the block cement walls, then insulation was installed and covered with vapor barrier (first and the second floor).
I will like to increase the lateral load resistance (although the contractor does not think is needed) :
1) Place OSB sheets on the interior side of the 2X6 (sort of interior sheathing- make it more like a framed house with the cement blocks wall like siding) and then cover the OSB sheathing with drywall.
OR (AND)
2) Strengthen the 2X6 wall with diagonal braces (2X4)
a) Is this a good idea ?
a) Is it any drawback of having drywall on OSB ( humidity problems)?
b) Are diagonal braces going to giving comparable strength to the sheathing ?
I wanted to renovate it so it was completely striped inside( save for the floors).
Last year in winter it went un-heated for a while and developed four long cracks from top to bottom, not far from the four corners of the house. After re-heating the basement, it went back to the original position
a) The contractor placed a metal strap across each crack on the interior side of the exterior walls at each level (basement, first and second floor)
b) 2x6 walls were build on the interior side of the block cement walls, then insulation was installed and covered with vapor barrier (first and the second floor).
I will like to increase the lateral load resistance (although the contractor does not think is needed) :
1) Place OSB sheets on the interior side of the 2X6 (sort of interior sheathing- make it more like a framed house with the cement blocks wall like siding) and then cover the OSB sheathing with drywall.
OR (AND)
2) Strengthen the 2X6 wall with diagonal braces (2X4)
a) Is this a good idea ?
a) Is it any drawback of having drywall on OSB ( humidity problems)?
b) Are diagonal braces going to giving comparable strength to the sheathing ?






RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
The floor is also bolted to the cement foundation wall.
Wouldn't the whole system act like a rigid box ?
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
The foundation has only a couple of hairline cracks.
My questions were related to the fact that without interior sheathing or diagonal braces the interior wall add no strength.
1)Is the internal sheathing adding significantly more strength the the diagonal braces?
2)Is the interior sheathing even used in general practice ?
3)Does it mater how the OSB sheets are placed (horizontal or vertical)?
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
Contractor's opinion was that it was due to insufficient drainage. Actually the house did not have a perimeter drainage system.
Also the house was not supported properly inside at that time since all interior walls were removed. The second floor and the roof were supported with 4X4 beams.
An exterior drain tiles system is scheduled for the spring.
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
We don't know the local codes, the required seismic or wind design criteria for the location of the building. We can't see all the conditions of construction, we don't have the exact building dimensions, can't do any calculations to verify if your diaphragm has the required capacity, etc.
We can offer suggestions but this sounds like you need to get someone on the site to properly review it.
RE: Interior sheating for a cement block house
I will get an engineer on site.