I recently moved into a new construction home and I'm planning to finish the basement. However, I've come across some unusual cement partitions. They are spaced about every 15-20 feet along the wall, sticking out roughly 4 feet into the living area and measuring around 6 inches in thickness. They don't reach the ceiling, which makes me question their structural role. Has anyone seen anything like this before, or knows what these partitions might be for?
2 Answers
These actually might be lateral supports for the foundation wall. It's not uncommon to find these types of cement fixtures, and while they might look odd, they're often essential for structural integrity. A builder or structural engineer could confirm this for you, but this is a solid guess!
Those partitions could be buttress supports providing extra stability to the foundation wall. Even if they don't connect to the ceiling, they might still be crucial for the overall support. It's worth getting a pro to assess just in case!
That makes sense! I really thought the ceiling joists were doing the heavy lifting for the structure.