Do You Fill The Holes In Concrete Blocks?
Do You Fill The Holes In Concrete Blocks?
Yes, you do fill the holes in your concrete blocks. It’s best to use polyurethane foam to fill holes in concrete blocks to create a waterproof seal. If you don’t fill the holes, water will leak through and cause the entire wall to disintegrate.
Holes in a cinder block wall are not only unattractive but will also become larger with time. The edges will become brittle and disintegrate when moisture fills the gaps and the temperature changes.
Cleaning and fixing holes in a cinder block wall, on the other hand, will halt that process and prevent the problem from worsening. It’s best to fill the holes in your concrete blocks as soon as you notice them.
Do You Have To Stagger Concrete Blocks?
Yes, you do need to stagger your concrete blocks for maximum strength, especially for walls. The spaces between the blocks should be at least twice as long as the blocks’ height. Concrete block walls will lose their integrity over time if not properly staggered.
Staggering increases concrete block wall strength, and this is crucial when building a wall with a base secured on both sides by door jambs or beams.
There are two strong reasons for staggering the blocks: It makes nailing them easier, and a plaster wall will not fracture when put over them. If the blocks are fastened in a straight line, cracks in the plaster might form.
Fire bricks can also be used to separate one framed area from another, creating a solid wall and preventing water from seeping through the joints, which would weaken the wall.
Do You Need To Fill Hollow Concrete Blocks?
Yes, you do need to fill hollow concrete blocks. The hollow spaces in your concrete blocks will weaken the structure of your wall or foundation.
You’ll want to use a composite filler, or you can make your own by adding cement and sand to the foam you’d use to fill the holes in your cinderblock wall. Don’t forget that the foam needs to be completely dry before doing this.
The main purpose of filling these holes is water tightness, so water cannot seep into areas that are supposed to be dry and stay dry even if it rains. If water seeps into these areas, they could become damp and begin to rot, causing a terrible smell as well as mold and mildew growth.
Do You Need To Put Gravel Under Concrete Blocks?
Yes, it would be best if you put gravel or sand under your concrete blocks to prevent them from shifting on either side of the foundation and consequently causing uneven wear.
You need to use this method along with the steel bars you nail across the wall to release constant pressure. Without it, there will be cracks between the blocks, and they will shift out of place.
If blocks are not properly supported by something solid, they could crack when you try to pound them into place or if the soil beneath them shifts.
A loose stone foundation will allow water to seep in, which will cause the blocks to give way and rotate—resulting in a wall that is not straight and solid anymore.
You should use gravel or sand to fill the gaps between the concrete blocks as well as underneath them. This will help to prevent soil from shifting, which can cause the blocks to shift out of place and separate from each other—causing a crack in your wall.
