David & Goliath Builders, Inc.

New Foundation System Offers Maximum Strength, Height

Waukesha Freeman, July 1995
By Claire Kelly

Stick a group of Wisconsin builders and mason contractors in a room and ask them to describe the state-of-the-art basement foundation and chances are they'll describe something new called the Ultimate foundation system, even if they've never heard the term before.

For the past 75 years, concrete block foundations have dominated the Southeastern Wisconsin market, with 90% of existing residential foundations constructed of concrete block. According to Richard Walter, executive director of the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association [WCMA], concrete block is stronger than poured concrete because the block is factory manufactured and cured under controlled conditions. The Ultimate Foundation System improves on the exceptional strength of concrete block with vertical and horizontal steel reinforcing.

"The cores line up and accept reinforcing rods and grout. That makes the entire system stronger," according to David Rodrigues of David & Goliath Builders. "We're using this foundation system almost exclusively. It's more cost-efficient than conventional block because the Ultimate Foundation System block is bigger and goes up faster." Though comparable to the weight of a conventional 10-inch unit and as easily handled, Ultimate Foundation block is 8 3/8" high, providing a full 8 foot basement height instead of the standard 7'8" in 11 courses. Also, a typical basement will use 12.5% fewer units with the Ultimate Foundation System than with conventional concrete block.

Gary Gilmore, mason contractor and owner of Gilmore Construction, Inc., says consumers like the extra four inches of basement headroom the Ultimate Foundation System provides. Gilmore has also noticed that any horizontal cracking is alleviated with the new system. "Installation is a little more involved, but the benefits are definitely worth it- for the builder and the homeowner."

The Ultimate Foundation System block is available in smooth and decorative faces, an additional advantage mentioned by Dennis Forston, owner of Forston Construction, Inc. " The two things which impress me the most are ease-of-construction and the incredible strength of the foundation. It's good looking and it's strong," said Forston. He has used the system since it was introduced on the market last year.

Several components make up the Ultimate Foundation's unique reinforcing system, beginning with 8 foot #8 rebar which provide the vertical reinforcing. Bleeders and dowels are placed in 8'x18" footings every six feet in the center, Then rod postitioners, which provide vertical alignment of the reinforcing rods from the top of the wall, are installed directly above the dowels on the third course to keep rods close to the inside face shell. On the sixth, eighth and tenth courses, the 8-inch ladder type horizontal reinforcing is used. Proper bracing and backfilling maintain the strength and stability of the Ultimate Foundation System.

All fittings and steel reinforcing components needed to complete an Ultimate Foundation basement system are available through Quality Concrete Products, Waukesha Block Company and Bend Industries. To Qualify for a 5-year manufacturers warranty, the foundation must be installed according to set procedures, with all the block and reinforcing material supplied by the block manufacturer.

Designed in collaboration with area builders and mason contractors, the Ultimate Foundation System gets high marks for maximum strength, added height, aesthetic appeal and dryness at a competitive price.

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