Replies

1. 
   Notchman | Apr 06, 2008 03:07am | #1

   Check with your local building codes people.

   I'm on the West Coast in a high seismic zone and ALL cores have to be filled, not to mention a lot of steel reinforcement.

   Go inland from me a couple hundred miles and the only cores required to be filled are those with vertical rebar.

1. 
   JohnCujie | Apr 06, 2008 03:12am | #2

   How do you install anchor bolts if the cells are not filled?John

1. 
   holy hammer | Apr 06, 2008 03:23am | #3

   We use straps encased in the foundation threaded through the cores. I am 99% sure CMUs need to be grouted here, I'm just trying to find it in black and white in the IRC.Constructing in metric...

   every inch of the way.

2. 
   JeffinPA | Apr 06, 2008 04:20am | #4

   I dont know what the IRC says about block but in the Northeast, the top course has to be a semi-solid or solid block.  (or filled)  The reason is for termite protection.   Most older homes that have hollow block all the way to the sill have at least some termite damage.  (Termites run their tunnels up thru  the core)

   If anchor bolts, they just fill in that one block and cement in the anchor bolt and rest of block is semi-solid.