How to Repair Cinder Block Walls

Last Updated: October 7, 2020 References

Cinder block walls may be sturdy, but continual wear over time can cause cracks or holes. In severe cases, you may even need to replace sections of the wall for its stability. But while cinder block walls may seem intimidating to fix, making reparations is simple if you have the right tools. As long as you assess the damage and fill or replace the affected area, your wall will be restored to good condition again.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Cinder Blocks

1
Clean any parts of the wall that you plan to repair. Before you begin repairing the wall, clean it to make sure any cement or mortar you apply will adhere securely. Survey your wall and make a note of any dirty or cracked areas. You will need to smooth out cracks and hose down dirty sections before the wall is ready to clean.^{[1]
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2
File away any rough edges. Locate any damaged areas on the cinder blocks and file any rough bits with a metal file. Keep filing until the edges are smooth and level. This will keep your reparations even and more likely to hold over time.
- Depending on the extent and roughness of the cracks or holes, this can take anywhere from several minutes to an hour.
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3
Hose the wall down to get rid of dust or dirt. Your wall will need to be debris- and dust-free before it's ready for repairs. Take a hose and spray the wall off to get rid of any residual dust or dirt. For more stubborn areas, scrub the dirt away with a washcloth.^{[2]
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- Hosing down the wall primarily works for outdoor cinder block walls. If your wall is indoors, fill a bucket with warm water and clean the wall off with a wet washcloth.
4
Wait for the wall to dry off before repairing it. Your wall repair materials may not adhere to the wall as well if it is wet. Gather your additional materials while the wall dries. If any patches are stubborn and refuse to dry quickly, try toweling them off.
- Repair your cinder block wall during the hottest time of day so you can work quickly.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Patching Cracks with Concrete

1
Patch smaller cracks or holes with concrete. Concrete is usually enough to bind together minor wall damage. If the cracks or holes don't take up the majority of the block or extend to more than a few blocks, try using concrete to fill in the damage.^{[3]
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2
Mix the concrete. Purchase a bag of pre-mixed concrete and empty the bag into a bucket or concrete tray. Pour the instructed amount of water into the mix and stir it with a hoe or shovel.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}
- If you prefer, you can make the concrete yourself instead of using a pre-mixed bag.
- Always wear protective glasses, a ventilated mask, gloves, and long pants when mixing concrete.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Gerber Ortiz-Vega
  Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
  Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}
3
Mist any cracks or holes with a handheld bottle. Although the wall should not be wet when applying the concrete, lightly misting the cracks or holes so they are damp can help it adhere better. Fill a handheld bottle with water and spritz any gaps before you add the concrete.^{[6]
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4
Fill in the cracks or holes with concrete. Apply concrete to any gaps in the blocks or mortar using a shovel. Fill the holes and cracks as deeply as you can, then scrape the top over with a trowel so the concrete can patch the wall together evenly.^{[7]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Replacing Heavily Damaged Bricks

1
Chip out the old cinder block and mortar. Using a plugging chisel and sledge, chip the cinder block into pieces. Remove the block in chunks as you free each piece from the surrounding mortar. Chip out the mortar, then brush away any additional dust or debris before putting the new block in place.^{[8]
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- Wear safety goggles while chipping the block out to prevent eye injuries.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Gerber Ortiz-Vega
  Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
  Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.}
2
Mix the mortar. Purchase a bag of pre-mixed mortar and pour it into a bucket or wheelbarrow. Add the required amount of water and stir it with a shovel until it has an even consistency. Let the mix sit for 3-5 minutes before applying it to the wall to let the mortar absorb moisture so it will stick to the cinder blocks better.^{[10]
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3
Apply mortar around the edges of the cavity. Using a trowel, add a 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick layer of mortar around the top, bottom, and sides of the empty space in the wall. Keep the layer as even as possible to avoid creating tight or loose sections in the wall.^{[11]
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4
Set the new block in place. Slip the new cinder block in place with a trowel, then scrape away any excess mortar. Let the mortar dry for 12-24 hours, depending on the mix. When the mortar is dry and stable, it should turn a light gray color.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How much water should I use when mixing concrete?

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Masonry Specialist & Founder, GO Masonry LLC

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Generally you should use three parts concrete and one part water, although it really depends on the application.