Leveling grout filled concrete block
Leveling grout filled concrete block
(OP)
I'm a mechanical engineer building a light-gauge steel framed house. Light-gauge steel beams and floor joists will be anchor-bolted to concrete filled (concrete) block (crawl space) foundation wall and interior piers. I need a level surface for the beams/joists. The blocks are level and piers/walls straight. However, concrete was not completely filled to the top of all blocks. Some walls/piers need an additional 1/2 inch to 2 inches of concrete to allow a level surface for beam/joist placement. I do not want beams/joists resting only upon the blocks.
Everyone asked (from concrete contractors to concrete product vendors to know-it-all neighbors) have recommended different products to fix the problem. I have not received the same answer twice (except leave-as-is).
I plan to (eventually) live in the house.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Everyone asked (from concrete contractors to concrete product vendors to know-it-all neighbors) have recommended different products to fix the problem. I have not received the same answer twice (except leave-as-is).
I plan to (eventually) live in the house.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.





RE: Leveling grout filled concrete block
A lot of times when I was looking at houses for my own purchase, I would see beams supported on wood shims in the beam pockets. This is very poor practice. So, let me state for the record: DO NOT shim your beams with pieces of wood.
RE: Leveling grout filled concrete block
The non-shrink grout will work fine. You may also use an epoxy or polymer grout patching compound (Sika has several as does Thoro (www.sika.com and www.chemrex.com, respectively)).
RE: Leveling grout filled concrete block
Carl Bauer
www.bauerconsultbotswana.com