Is split face block bad?

Potential water damage problems tied to split-face block construction. Problems with improperly treated or maintained split-face concrete blocks aren’t anything new. Some home inspectors have been railing against the use of the construction material in Chicago’s small condo buildings for a decade.

What are the disadvantages of concrete blocks?

Disadvantages of Concrete Blocks in Building Houses

• Concrete Blocks are Expensive. When compared to other traditional building supplies, concrete blocks add a considerable expense to a home construction.
• Concrete Block is Difficult to Insulate.
• Concrete May Not Offer Pleasant Aesthetics.

What is split face block used for?

Split-face blocks provide an attractive alternative to standard precision blocks. Their rugged texture reveals the natural aggregates used in their manufacture to create a visually appealing finish for any project. Split-face blocks are made by manufacturing two or more blocks joined together as one large unit.

Is split face block structural?

Both structural an non-structural Splitface concrete blocks are available. Splitface concrete blocks are available a variety of both common and specialty concrete block sizes.

Can a split face block be used in grade?

These split face blocks also meet the ASTM-C90 standard specification for load-bearing concrete masonry units and can be used at grade and below grade. If you use our split face concrete block in the construction of non-load-bearing walls, the blocks will comply with the ASTM-C129 standard.

What makes a split faced concrete block look like?

Many of these condominium buildings utilized a newer exterior masonry product that is commonly called split faced concrete block. This material looked like an 8″ thick common “cinder block”, but had a rough face, making it look like stone (Right). The material is manufactured using aggregate, Portland cement and course sand.

How did they solve the split faced block problem?

This is was done in the older brick buildings in Chicago, where the parapet wall was “capped” with clay coping tiles and many of these buildings are over 80 years old and still in good condition. The inside and outside edges of these tiles provided an air space that allowed the interior of the brick walls to breath.

Can a split face block wall be maintenance free?

Assuming proper installation, our split face block wall is practically maintenance-free. As a result, you’ll be able to allocate more time, manpower and equipment resources to other areas of your property, which can lead to a significant decrease in your operational expenses.