How to Repair a Cinder Block Wall

Cinder block walls are a common construction element, but like any other built feature, they can require repairs. When your block wall needs fixing, finishing the job right on the first try is essential. This article aims to help you understand what’s involved in this type of repair project and alert you to some of the most common causes of cinder block wall damage.

Cinder Block Wall Repair Process

While every project is unique, a professional construction team will follow a general set of steps if you hire them to fix your cinder block wall. Below are the main stages of the block wall repair process:

1. Clean and file the wall: Step one is to clean the area of the wall that needs repairs. After cleaning, filing any rough edges or cracks in the repair area can also be helpful. After initial cleaning and filing, hosing the wall with water and allowing it to dry helps to remove any excess dirt and debris, providing your repair team with a clean working surface.
2. Remove broken blocks: If any blocks in your wall are broken beyond repair, your repair team must remove them.
3. Replace broken blocks: After removing them, it’s time to replace them with new ones. Your repair team will apply mortar to the edges of the opening in the wall and then insert a new block to replace the old one.
4. Patch small cracks and gaps: Your repair team can resolve any small cracks and holes in your wall by patching them with a cement mixture.
5. Allow mortar and cement to dry: After replacing entire blocks and patching small holes, the final step is to wait for the mortar and cement to dry. After about 24 hours, the drying phase will be complete, and your wall will be fully functional again.

What Causes Cinder Block Wall Damage?

Now that you know the basic steps a professional repair team will take to fix a broken cinder block wall, it’s time to learn the reasons why these walls receive damage in the first place. The list below explains some of the most common causes of cinder block wall issues:

1. Moisture: Despite appearing impenetrable, your wall’s blocks and mortar consist of highly porous materials. The porous nature of these components causes them to absorb water, which can lead to cracks and other forms of damage.
2. Freezing and thawing: The adverse effects of moisture are especially prevalent if you live in an area with cold winters. As water freezes and thaws, it expands and contracts. If water expands and contracts within the materials of your cinder block wall, it can cause both the mortar and the blocks to crack.
3. Hydrostatic pressure: If your cinder block wall is a retaining wall, there is a chance that hydrostatic pressure can cause it to fail. Hydraulic pressure is the scientific term for the force that water exerts on the surfaces it touches. Your retaining wall is already responsible for holding back the immense weight of the soil behind it. When that soil becomes saturated, hydrostatic pressure can build up and push against the wall, causing it to crack and fail.
4. Settlement: Some cinder block walls act as basement walls for a home’s foundation. In these situations, the wall can receive damage due to a phenomenon known as differential settlement. This form of settlement involves uneven foundation shifts. When these shifts occur, they result in foundation damage, including cracks in your cinder block walls.
5. Natural forces: When earthquakes, storms, and other powerful forces of nature are present, there’s little stopping them from causing damage to your cinder block walls and other structures on your property.

Can You Do DIY Cinder Block Wall Repair?

If you are like many homeowners, you look for opportunities to perform DIY projects to repair and enhance your property. This approach is beneficial as it can save you money. However, repairing a cinder block wall is not something you should attempt on your own. Instead, hiring an experienced professional to do the work for you is always best.

Although the steps we listed earlier sound manageable, repairing a wall is easier said than done. In fact, if you lack experience, your repair project will not only be unsafe but likely unsuccessful as well. The most reliable way to have a cinder block wall repaired is to hire a knowledgeable professional in your area. Such professionals will be able to fix your wall safely and efficiently.

Preventing Cinder Block Wall Issues

It is relieving to know that there are plenty of ways to repair a cinder block wall. However, most people would prefer to prevent such problems rather than remedying them after the fact. While there is no way to guarantee you can avoid cinder block wall problems, there are measures you can take to lessen their likelihood. The sections below explain a few of the best ones.

Manage Moisture

As we noted earlier, cinder blocks and the mortar that connects them both consist of porous materials. That quality means that cinder block walls are capable of absorbing moisture, which can lead to a wide range of issues that may eventually cause your wall to fail.

If possible, you should attempt to control the moisture in the areas surrounding your cinder block wall. For example, if your block wall is part of your basement foundation, running a dehumidifier can help you monitor and manage the relative humidity to ensure it does not reach an undesirable level. Doing so reduces moisture problems and contributes to greater longevity for your wall.

Maintain Functioning Drainage Systems

Earlier, we also mentioned that hydrostatic pressure can be an issue for cinder block walls, specifically when they are responsible for retaining soil. Fortunately, maintaining a well-designed drainage system around the outside of the foundation wall can prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up.

Drainage structures do an incredible job of collecting water before it accumulates and conveying it away from the foundation. The best way to evaluate and determine how your drainage system could improve is to contact a construction expert in your area.

Have Your Walls Inspected

Lastly, if you are unsure of the structural state of your cinder block wall, one of the best approaches you can take is to schedule an inspection with an expert construction professional in your area. A quick inspection can help you understand any potential problems with your wall and ways you can prevent problems from arising in the future.

Get the Wall Repair Service You Need

Fixing a cinder block wall is something that you should not attempt to do on your own. Instead, it is essential to find a professional repair team in your area that can do the work for you.

If you live in Southern California, Nevada, or Arizona, and you need wall repair services, Dalinghaus Construction is the best team you can call. We have extensive experience repairing walls and providing many other construction services. Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can offer you.