What's this?

[palmettoinspect]

What are these small bars in the perimeter foundation wall? House has hardcoat stucco. I imagine it has something to do with the stucco. Does anyone know? Thanks!

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[Darren]

It looks to me like 'Dur-a-wall'. This is a 're-reinforcement' that's installed in block work. It's usually installed every other course.

It's possible it's 12 inch Dur-a-wall in an 8 inch block wall.

Sometimes they will do that (12 inch in an 8 inch wall with 4 inches sticking out) if you are installing a brick veneer (which obviously is not the case here).

[mgbinspect]

It looks to me like 'Dur-a-wall'. This is a 're-reinforcement' that's installed in block work. It's usually installed every other course.

It's possible it's 12 inch Dur-a-wall in an 8 inch block wall.

Sometimes they will do that (12 inch in an 8 inch wall with 4 inches sticking out) if you are installing a brick veneer (which obviously is not the case here).

Good call Darren. It does appear to be Dur-O-Wal Single Wythe Ladur.

This style was not intended for brick veneer later. It appears that the masons didn't have any more eight inch reinforcement on the job so they threw in twelve inch product. Of course, it won't offer much lateral strength used like this, and if struck will merely act more like a wire reinforced pane of glass - easily pushed in, but difficult to actually push through.

[Rocon]

Is that floor joist notched at the sill plate? The plate does not look like PT lumber.

[palmettoinspect]

Is that floor joist notched at the sill plate? The plate does not look like PT lumber.

Yes the floor joist is notched to rest on the 2" ledger strip. And no it's not PT lumber. Home was built in 89. While not right, it's typical to see untreated wood directly on block around here in older homes.

[Marc]

Mike B, the words 'Wythe' & 'Ladur', which language are they from? Lots of words like that in masonry. Just curious.

Marc

[mgbinspect]

Mike B, the words 'Wythe' & 'Ladur', which language are they from? Lots of words like that in masonry. Just curious.

Marc

Wythe, is a masonry term for layers of masonry such as brick over block would be two wythes.

"Ladur" I have no clue, but suspect it may be a trademark deal, just like "Dur-O-wall". The two types of reinforcement are a diagonal bridging or this style, which is called "ladder" - Hence "Ladur" (that's my guess anyway.

[palmettoinspect]

Thanks for the reply guys. Is it ok to use 12" vs 8"? If this stuff just adds strength for the mortar joist, I would think with the edges of the bars hanging over the sides of the concrete block wouldn't do much for strengthening the mortar.

[Jim Katen]

Thanks for the reply guys. Is it ok to use 12" vs 8"? If this stuff just adds strength for the mortar joist, I would think with the edges of the bars hanging over the sides of the concrete block wouldn't do much for strengthening the mortar.

No. It's a screw up done by lazy dopes. They might have just as well run a single wire through the mortar joint.

Though I doubt that it'll make any difference in a little 4-course wall.