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Question DetailsAsked on 7/19/2012

What is the best method to fix bowed garage walls made of cinderblock? The walls also have step-cracking in a few places. Half is undergr

Half of each wall is underground with half closest to the driveway not covered at all by dirt. It appears that the back wall that is underground is in tact and not compromised at all from the pressure of the dirt. When looking in the cracked & separated areas, I can see the blocks are hollow and have not been filled with rods or concrete material when it was built. The "people" door has also shifted and doesn't completely close. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Unfortunately for you there is no easy or quick way to fix these walls. Sounds like your garage is built into a hill. You are going to need a good brick mason who has layed many blocks. Check Angies List for your area, and make sure you get references from those they have worked for in the past.
Without digging up the dirt around your garage, the entire roof of your garage will need to be FIRMLY supported with a temporary support system. This could possibly be done one side at a time. Once the ceiling is supported PROPERLY, then your mason can remove the blocks from the inside, and replace them with the proper rebar and/or concrete reinforcement
Whatever you do, get a contractor who has experience in structural support, and check your local building codes. You may need a permit since these are load bareing walls.

Richard Willis
Old World Remodeling
Fort Worth, TX

Answered 2 years ago by OldWorldRemodeling




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