Repairing cinder block wall

[lennyzx11]

After we moved here last year I noticed a large tree growing next to my garage stem wall.
It had pushed the blocks loose and groundwater and chipmunks was getting in.
I’ve been digging and leveling in order to build on so removing the stump and repairing the damaged area was first order of business.
Here’s the end of day 1.


Trip to box store for mortar and replacement blocks are in my near future(tomorrow).

 

[Diggin It]

T'were it me, I'd be taking more away from that back wall too and getting rid of that grass/sod so close to the siding. Then I'd be planning on adding some drain pipe for that downspout to direct water away.

 

[lennyzx11]

T'were it me, I'd be taking more away from that back wall too and getting rid of that grass/sod so close to the siding. Then I'd be planning on adding some drain pipe for that downspout to direct water away.

Yes. That’s the plan. This whole area had grown up against the building. I’m going to dig that back out and put a French drain along it before putting up the lean to. with a swale outside of that, maybe this will correct my problem areas.

That gutter and downspout are trash. I just haven’t made it that far down “the list”.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks like one of those projects that you just have to keep at it regardless of what you have to deal with. Nice that you have a backhoe to get down to the problem!!!

I'm not a fan of French Drains. When clients call me, it's because they already paid for a french drain and it's failed. I believe that they all fail in time and they are a waste of money. I like ditches. Big and wide!!

 

[lennyzx11]

Looks like one of those projects that you just have to keep at it regardless of what you have to deal with. Nice that you have a backhoe to get down to the problem!!!

I'm not a fan of French Drains. When clients call me, it's because they already paid for a french drain and it's failed. I believe that they all fail in time and they are a waste of money. I like ditches. Big and wide!!

Good to know. I’ll rethink my strategy. That back wall is getting a 12 ft wide lean to but the ground is gently sloping up from that wall.
Maybe a cinder block stem wall on the outer edge of the lean to, then a ditch and swale after that? The floor is going to be crusher run over some base. I was planning on a culvert or a perf pipe on the bottom of the shop wall with the hopes that the lean to roof would direct water away from that wall.

I have to dig that back wall out to relieve the pressure on it and attempt to push the bow inwards it has developed. It was built in a he early 40s the previous owner told me.

 

[Cat_Driver]

If it was my house I'd replace the cinder block with a good 5,000 PSI concrete mixed with stainless stell fibers.

 

[/pine]

Looks like one of those projects that you just have to keep at it regardless of what you have to deal with. Nice that you have a backhoe to get down to the problem!!!

I'm not a fan of French Drains. When clients call me, it's because they already paid for a french drain and it's failed. I believe that they all fail in time and they are a waste of money. I like ditches. Big and wide!!

The main reason a properly installed french drain fails is because it was too small (size of pipe and amount of gravel) for the applicable perc rate

There is no real difference between what is called a french drain and a septic system leach line...before infiltrators etc...many of these drains have been working for a long, long time often under constant use without fail.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Never heard of SS fibers. Only glass.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Never heard of SS fibers. Only glass.

They are avaliable in many materials, steel, fiberglass, polypropylene, as well as SS.

Ron

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Good to know. I’ll rethink my strategy. That back wall is getting a 12 ft wide lean to but the ground is gently sloping up from that wall.
Maybe a cinder block stem wall on the outer edge of the lean to, then a ditch and swale after that? The floor is going to be crusher run over some base. I was planning on a culvert or a perf pipe on the bottom of the shop wall with the hopes that the lean to roof would direct water away from that wall.

I have to dig that back wall out to relieve the pressure on it and attempt to push the bow inwards it has developed. It was built in a he early 40s the previous owner told me.

I would wok both directions till I see no more cracked joints or blocks. That is your new cut line. Probably need to shore up the floor in that corner too. AS Cat driver said; replace with concrete unless you are a good block layer. Use high strength mortar if blocks are chosen. I have don a couple similar projects in my far past.

Ron