how are cinder block houses built? (utilities, drywall, plumbing)

[robalomann]

i bought a house in cape coral and would like to work on it. i have a stick built house up north and have opened up many walls to run plumbing/electrical. how are these utilities run through the walls down here in florida ? are there sleeper studs between the sheet rock and the cinder block? or are the utilities in channels in the block itself,...non-load bearing walls obviously excluded

[HarryWho?]

Originally Posted by robalomann

i bought a house in cape coral and would like to work on it. i have a stick built house up north and have opened up many walls to run plumbing/electrical. how are these utilities run through the walls down here in florida ? are there sleeper studs between the sheet rock and the cinder block? or are the utilities in channels in the block itself,...non-load bearing walls obviously excluded

All the partition walls are conventional. The interior of the block walls are faced with studs to provide an air space.

[nhkev]

I've noticed most of the plumbing in my house seems to travel through the ceilings as well as the duct work and all bathroom and kitchen fixtures are on interior partition walls. I wonder why they don't use metal studs as opposed to wood due to moisture and insects. there is enough airspace between the cinder block and drywall to put electrical boxes so I'm assuming they use 2x3's , foam insulation, and vapor barrier. also looks like they use pre-built trusses instead of framing the roof on site.

[HarryWho?]

Originally Posted by nhkev

I've noticed most of the plumbing in my house seems to travel through the ceilings as well as the duct work and all bathroom and kitchen fixtures are on interior partition walls. I wonder why they don't use metal studs as opposed to wood due to moisture and insects. there is enough airspace between the cinder block and drywall to put electrical boxes so I'm assuming they use 2x3's , foam insulation, and vapor barrier. also looks like they use pre-built trusses instead of framing the roof on site.

Some do use metal studs. I've also seen cement board soffits instead of vinyl. As for trusses, I would think it's the way to go with a hip roof.

[GRNDHOG]

You get your underground plumbing
Pour a slab
Lay the block
Fly your trusses
Frame out with steel studs
Run other plumbing overhead (as needed)
Run your electrical
Hang drywall

There are just 1" furring strips used for the drywall to block connection. The electrical and low voltage outlets on exterior walls are typically the slim/flush mount.

No utilities are run through the blocks. The exception would be an outdoor hose bib.

If you have indoor plumbing on an exterior block wall, chances are good it's run overhead

[rikoshaprl]

The only thing to add is that many homes have had "repipe" jobs done, where the domestic water pipes in the slab are abandoned and run overhead in the attic.