For a new home in Dallas, GA, the model International Residential Code, which Georgia adopts with state amendments, has provisions for both poured concrete and concrete block basement walls. A poured wall is cast in one piece inside forms. A block wall is laid unit by unit in mortar. The better choice depends on the plan, the site and the builder's crews.
The Code Covers Both Wall Types
Georgia's state minimum standard for houses is the International Residential Code, 2024 Edition, with Georgia amendments, according to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The City of Dallas, in Paulding County, requires construction to comply with Georgia's minimum construction codes and city ordinances.
Section R404 of the model code covers foundation walls, and it covers both kinds. Georgia's amendments can change these sections, so confirm the current rule with your building department.
- Concrete foundation walls follow the code's own tables and provisions, or recognized standards such as ACI 318, ACI 332 or PCA 100.
- Masonry foundation walls follow the code's provisions for masonry or the TMS 402 standard, laid with Type M or S mortar in running bond.
With both wall types covered in the model code, the practical question is which one fits the plan in front of you.
How a Poured Concrete Basement Wall Goes Up
A poured wall starts on a finished footing. Forms are set on both sides of where the wall will stand, the steel called for in the plan goes in, and concrete is placed between the forms. Once the concrete has gained enough strength, the forms come off and the wall is one continuous piece from footing to top.
What the forms have to do with the finish
The forms shape the face of the wall. JJC Concrete pours walls with aluminum forms, not lumber, and the metal forms give the walls a smooth finish. That smooth face shows on the inside of the basement and on the outside before backfill.
Height and layout
A poured wall follows the footing layout, including jogs and corners. Our crew has poured walls as tall as 24 feet.
Who a poured wall suits
Poured walls fit builders who want the foundation walls done in a single operation between the footing inspection and framing. They also suit plans where a smooth interior face matters, such as a basement that may be finished later.
How a Concrete Block Basement Wall Goes Up
A block wall also starts on a footing. Masons lay concrete masonry units course by course in mortar, following the plan. Where the design calls for it, cells get reinforcing steel and grout.
Where block has real advantages
Block deserves a fair hearing. A masonry wall needs no large formwork set, so no forming package has to be delivered and stripped. It can be built in sections as the site and the schedule allow, and it suits builders who already have a masonry crew they trust.
What block asks for in return
A block wall is built from many units joined with mortar, where a poured wall is cast as one piece. That is not a flaw on its own, but it changes how the outside of the wall is treated for moisture, which the code addresses directly.
Moisture: What the Code Says About Each Wall
Section R406 of the International Residential Code covers dampproofing and waterproofing for foundation walls. Its rules apply to both wall types, with one difference worth knowing.
Dampproofing applies to both
Under R406.1, foundation walls that retain earth and enclose interior spaces and floors below grade shall be dampproofed from finished grade down to the higher of the top of the footing or 6 inches below the top of the basement floor.
Masonry has its own provision
The same section says masonry walls shall have not less than 3/8 inch portland cement parging applied to the exterior of the wall, with an exception: parging is not required where a material is approved for direct application to the masonry. Concrete walls take a listed dampproofing material applied to the exterior.
Waterproofing where water conditions call for it
R406.2 requires waterproofing, rather than dampproofing alone, in areas where a high water table or other severe soil water conditions are known to exist. That rule applies to both poured and block walls. If there is any question about groundwater on a lot, it belongs in the conversation before the footings go in.
Inspections in Dallas Before the First Pour
The City of Dallas lists the inspections required for new construction. The first one on the list is an inspection "prior to the pouring of footings or concrete slabs." The general contractor schedules the footing inspection, and the building permit must be posted on the lot, or at the start of the driveway if the home is not visible.
That footing inspection comes before either wall type. Poured or block, the wall stands on footings the city has already looked at. Permit requirements are set by the city or the county, so ask about permits for your project when you call.
Questions to Settle Before You Choose
Here are questions worth settling before you pick poured or block for a new home.
- What does the engineering or plan call for? Wall height, backfill height and loads all shape the design. Follow the plan.
- How will the basement be used? A future finished basement puts more weight on the look of the interior face.
- What does the lot look like? A sloped lot with stepped walls, or known water on the site, affects both wall types.
- Which crews are already on the job? A builder with a trusted masonry sub may lean one way; a builder who wants the walls done by a dedicated wall crew may lean the other.
JJC Concrete is family owned, licensed and insured, and has poured walls since 2010. Poured basement and foundation walls for builders and general contractors across metro Atlanta are our main work today. See how we work in Dallas and Paulding County, and read more about poured basement walls and poured foundation walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the code cover block basement walls for new homes in Dallas, GA?
The model International Residential Code, which Georgia adopts with state amendments, covers masonry foundation walls as well as concrete ones. Block walls follow the code's masonry provisions or the TMS 402 standard, and the model code calls for portland cement parging on the exterior of masonry walls unless a material is approved for direct application to the masonry. Confirm with the City of Dallas what applies to your permit.
Do poured concrete basement walls need dampproofing?
Yes. Section R406.1 of the International Residential Code calls for dampproofing on foundation walls that retain earth and enclose space below grade, whether poured or block. Where a high water table or severe soil water conditions are known to exist, R406.2 calls for waterproofing instead.
What inspection comes before a basement wall in Dallas?
The City of Dallas requires an inspection before footings or concrete slabs are poured. The general contractor schedules it, and the building permit must be posted on the lot. The footing inspection happens before either a poured or a block wall goes up.
Does JJC Concrete use wood or metal forms for basement walls?
JJC Concrete pours walls with aluminum forms, not lumber. The metal forms give the walls a smooth finish. The company has poured walls since 2010, including walls as tall as 24 feet, for builders and general contractors across metro Atlanta.
Request a Bid for Basement Walls in Dallas
If you are building in Dallas or elsewhere in Paulding County and want poured walls on your next house, send us the plans and the lot details. Call (770) 755-2622 or use the form on our contact page to request a bid.