Does anyone else out there have a home built on a clay block foundation. I am considering buying a 1926 Bungalow with a full basement built on this clay block and don't know too much about this material. It is reddish in color block, channel locked with a stucco type finish on the inside. This house also doesn't have a sill plate that the floor joist sit on. The joists sit directly atop the foundation block. This concerns me. Any help and buying tips are greatly appreciated as this may be my first home.

Think of clay block, just as a larger version of clay brick, which is all normal sized bricks' composition. They're clay and binder, baked to a certain hardness. <br> <br>However, like brick, they do have the same porous capacity to an extent, and if this is a wet climate, I'd certainly check the joist members for any rot or other damage, such as insects. <br> <br>Strange there is no sill plate... might be worth it to have an inspector check the foundation and joists more thoroughly. <br>

My entire 1926 house is made of hollow clay block. I did think it truly strange at first, but am now accustomed to it. I have no sill plate, either. The floor joists are hung in/on the block. I have a full basement, two stories and an attic with no wood framing in the exterior walls. Do have it inspected, though. <br> <br>As an aside, this stuff is tough to work with (renovation-wise). We had to build a false wall in our kitchen to accompdate new wiring, as you can't retrofit anything in this stuff. <br> <br>jen

We lived in one......Exterior built entirely of the rough surfaced clay tiles....Maybe 8" square by 12" tall......Stucco'd inside and out......IMPOSSIBLE to remodel without serious repairs........No Insulation...cold!..... <br> <br>VERY STRANGE: <br>Many of the tiles were laid horizontally......allowing hollow passages in the wall and contrary to any logical strength requirements...........The mice loved them and .......well...... the cats did too......

I would like to thank you all for your responses in this matter. After a thorough inspection by a licenced house inspector we have decided to purchase the home. It turns out that the clay block is a very strong material and is not used any longer because concrete block is cheaper. I was half wrong on the sill plate issue. The primary structure framing has a sill plate however the porch, which is built on the basement, has no sill plate. The floor joists are mortered right into the foundation. It looks like we found a real gem here. Since none of the oak woodwork has been painted and the walls have been strippped down to one layer of wall paper, the amout of "work" should me minimal. So...wish us luck in our venture in our first home-a 1926 craftsman bungalow (half brick/half cedar shingle).