Q&A for How to Build a Mortarless Concrete Stem Wall

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Can I dry stack and cast when building a cesspit?

Community Answer

Yes, this is an acceptable way of building a cesspit. Of course, you should leave small holes in the wall to let groundwater seep through so your wall doesn't topple over.

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How do you build a concrete wall stem?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Start by taking some really good measurements. Measure the perimeter of your structure and mark the border on the ground. Use the formula for calculating cubic feet, which is length x width x height, for each section of your stem wall. Then, use the volume of the brick type you plan to use to find out how many bricks you need by dividing the volume by the volume of your wall. Dig a 9 in (23 cm) deep trench around the perimeter of your structure and fill it with drain-grade grave with landscape fabric in between. Lay 1 stone in the corners of the trench, then lay 3 stones extending out in each direction to form the corner joints. Stack the interlocking stones on top of each other on the corners, then lay the stones down for the first layer of your wall. From there, you can continue stacking layers of stones until your wall is done!

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Question

Can I pour footing and wall together?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Yes, it is possible to pour both the footing and the wall. It's a process called mono-pouring. Usually, foundations are built int 2 phases. First, a concrete pour for the footing that is allowed to dry and harden. Then, the foundation wall is poured, along with rebar and a concrete key to keep them held together. But while a mono-pour does save your project some time, it needs to be done properly by a professional. So you shouldn't try to do it yourself unless you have a lot of experience working with concrete. Leave it to the pros!

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Question

What is a stem wall concrete slab?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

The stem wall is the outer part of a building or structure's foundation wall. It's super important and helps lift the structure above the ground, protecting it from moisture. It's basically the supporting wall that connects the foundation of a structure to the walls of the structure. It helps absorb the weight of the building on top of it and distributes the weight over a wider area to help improve structural integrity and protect the foundation. You can't have a solid foundation without one!

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