Types Of Walls

Concrete walls may be solid (monolithic) or hollow. Hollow walls are secured in either of two ways-by building two solid walls separated by an air space, or by using a type of block which when laid results in a continuous air space in the wall. Block of various types can be used to build a concrete wall that is partly hollow, that is, has air spaces in it, because of cells formed in the block when they are made. A solid wall (monolithic) is naturally much stronger than a block wall, provided both have been built according to the best practice applying to each. A solid wall is one piece, while a block wall is composed of small pieces or units laid up like any other masonry. However, for most small buildings there is little choice between the well made monolithic and well laid block wall.

Dampness On Interior Face Of Walls

The success of concrete walls depends, like any other concrete work, on following certain good concrete practice. Some persons who have built buildings with concrete walls have complained that the interior wall surface was damp. Usually they think this dampness is due to leakage through the wall. Rarely, however, does the wall leak, but owing to the differences in temperature inside and outside the building and the moist vapor in the interior air, water from the air condenses on the wall inside, makes the surface wet, and misleads some persons into thinking that the wall leaks. In climates where there is great extreme of temperature, as between summer and winter, plastering should never be done on the inside of any concrete or masonry wall. Furring strips should be attached to the wall, these strips lathed, and plastering applied to the lath so that there will be an air space between plaster and wall, thus preventing this condensation. The air space acts as insulation.

Reinforcing Walls

As a rule, foundations do not require reinforcing but most building walls require some reinforcing.

If reinforcing is not placed at the corners of window and door openings and over such openings, cracks may form there due to changes of temperature because of expansion and contraction in the concrete. The same applies at corners of buildings where suitable reinforcing must be embedded in the concrete to "tie in" the walls where they form the corner.

Surface Area (In Square Feet) Of Concrete Slabs Or Walls Of Various Thicknesses And Proportions, That Can Re Made With One Sack Of Cement

Setting Wall Forms

Wall forms must be set up very carefully and braced true to line so that the finished concrete work will have an attractive appearance and also be true to line. As walls expose a large area to the air it is very necessary that the concrete be protected for a few days after placing to prevent rapid drying out. The forms may be left in place several days and the whole work wet down, or if forms are removed wet canvas, burlap or some such covering should be hung over them and be kept wet for several days.