Walls came a-tumbling down, now what?

September 5, 2007 6:14 AM

Looking for advice on rebuilding / repairing a section of concrete block (cinder block ) wall that once upon a time separated two yards. If nothing else, the dog is happy with the new expanded yard.

About a year ago a section about six feet long of the concrete block / cinder block wall between our house and the neighbor's fell in a wind storm. Her insurance said they would pay for it, but then she's had health issues, and we all got busy, and now we're back to trying to get this dealt with. Not sure what the insurance will do at this point, so we're checking other options.

The blocks aren't broken, but it looks like we should put a foundation down under the section that fell (there wasn't one before - old, funky neighborhood)

Any reason why we shouldn't try to rebuild this ourselves?

Anyone with experience with this sort of thing? I know we need to put the foundation down to the frost line - I suppose I can call county extension to find out what that is here (Albuquerque).

Thanks all.

posted by korej to home & garden (4 comments total)

You didn't mention how high the wall is or whether it is freestanding or is a retaining wall. Assuming it is a freestanding wall a few feet high then a single course below ground could work as a foundation depending on the soil. Apparently it has worked for awhile.

To help keep it more stable from getting blown over in a wind storm make sure that the blocks are either mortared together or glued with a good masonry adhesive. Also use steel posts pounded in the ground in the holes every 4 feet or so. Fill the interior holes with stone where the posts are. Putting it back together isn't rocket science so you should have no problems if you have the muscle power.
posted by JJ86 at 9:03 AM on September 5, 2007

whoops - its freestanding, about 5 feet high - thanks!
posted by korej at 9:49 AM on September 5, 2007

If it is 5' tall then you may want to get a few 8' steel fence posts and drive them halfway into the ground with a sledgehammer in between the block holes. Then fill those holes with quick-crete and a mixture of stone. That will help to resist wind forces from toppling the wall again.

Chisel off any old mortar from the blocks and use a good masonry adhesive applied with a caulk gun. Two layers of block underground should be a good enough footing. New Mexico doesn't get much in the way of deep frost.
posted by JJ86 at 11:04 AM on September 5, 2007

thank you - I feel like I have a better handle on it now.
posted by korej at 2:10 PM on September 5, 2007