How to Reinforce a Hollow Concrete Block Wall
Reinforcing a hollow concrete block wall is a smart thing to do, and it is required by local building codes in some areas. Reinforcing your hollow concrete block wall protects it from being pushed in due to the forces of heaving soil and pressure from water saturation. You only need common items for this job, unless you hire a cement truck.
Tools Needed:
- Wheelbarrow
- Rebar
- Saw with Metal-Cutting Blade
- Spade Shovel
- Access the top run of cement blocks. Look for the holes that are aligned down the height of the wall.
- Push in lengths of rebar to take up the entire height of the wall. Rebar comes in precut lengths to make this easier, but you may not find the exact length you need.
- Buy enough rebar to go around the perimeter of the foundation every four feet. You'll find rebar at home improvement stores.
- Cut the rebar to length with a saw with a metal-cutting blade or a hacksaw. You can use a circular saw with a blade for cutting metal.
- Place the rebar into the holes every four feet.
- Prepare your cement mix according the instructions or hire a cement truck to come in. The cement truck has a hose and can fill the holes, but this is more expensive than doing it by hand.
- Pour the mixed cement into each hole with the rebar. This can be done with the hose if you hire a cement truck to do it, or you can mix cement in a wheelbarrow, transfer some to a 5-gallon bucket and dump it in or scoop it from the wheelbarrow into each hole with a spade shovel.
- Smooth the surface of the cement for each hole with a trowel. Remember that your house frame or sill plate will rest on this wall, so it needs to be even and smooth.