8” block basement repair

Repairing a basement wall that was damaged by years of water draining towards the foundation. A new sidewalk was poured outside to redirect the water. Then the house was supported with posts and beams.

[@WoodandBricks]

So there are plenty of comments about what was done wrong in this video. I agree that this is nowhere near a proper repair. The owner of this building repaired the exterior water problem that caused the wall to fail in the first place. The new wall is absolutely supporting the weight of the house. The corners of the old wall are still intact also supporting the house. This is a friends house and he didn’t have the money to get more involved with the repair. He knew it wasn’t proper but felt it was better than nothing. I would never sell a half ass repair like this to a customer. At the time when I made this video there weren’t many bricklaying videos on KZbin. The point of this video was to share the techniques of laying block presented in the way I prefer to learn. So to be clear as one of my favorite comments said this is like hanging a poster over a hole in your drywall and calling it fixed. I do stand by the techniques I am showing not the engineering. Thanks for watching!

[@DanielSanchez-vk3qs]

Thanks for sharing, great video

[@WoodandBricks]

@@DanielSanchez-vk3qs thank you!

[@WoodandBricks]

@John Arch thank you! You made my day!

[@azieldaly2965]

Could 8" blocks be used for a retaining wall?

[@WoodandBricks]

@@azieldaly2965 yes

[@natedoglara]

Thanks for the video, I have a shelf basement I started to reblock some of the basement. Never finished as of yet. I started to patch cracks today, then I plan on finishing brick on the other side of the wall. U r amazing with laying brick, like the technique. I have so much brick in the basement that still needs to go up. Probably finish brick next summer. Patch other cracks before this winter. . . Well all that rambling. . . .thanks for the video.

[@WoodandBricks]

@chumpsauce thank you! Good luck!

[@omnilife691]

The work is spectacular, thanks for making this video.

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you.

[@chrismoe4120]

great job looks very professional !

[@WoodandBricks]

Chris Moe thank you!

[@artcarl9333]

Great work. It’s sad we don’t have more young people going into a trade like this. I know here in Wisconsin we are hurting for skilled trades. Thanks again for the video

[@WoodandBricks]

Art Carl we have the same problem here in Ohio. Thank you. I have a brick repair video as well.

[@lisasolis7399]

Before finding this video, we were discussing doing this in our basement, because we can't afford to dig out the outside wall and tear out all the bricks and redo the walls the right way. This seems like a great idea, to band-aid the problem if you can't afford to fix it properly, so thank you very much for showing, that sometimes it's ok to do it 'half-assed" (so your house don't fall in around you) until you can do it right.

[@WoodandBricks]

Good luck.

[@buclespaula]

Did you made a footing for this sister wall? Or just stands of the floor?

[@weirdmatter]

If you're able bodied get out there and start digging. These houses were all built by hand foundation were dug out using shovels and bucket 🪣.

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

I have a cement block wall that is only 4 tiers (4 blocks high?) and no load. It failed in two places. I guess that digging to see what I have for a footer is in order. The trowel work was amazing to watch in this video. Thank you!

[@WoodandBricks]

CincyPlasmaTech walls normally fail because of water or poor footer or a combination of both. Thank you! I the work I do post more often on instagram as original_farley. Good luck with the wall.

[@gerretoutdoors3710]

Alright guy. I have some blocks coming apart under our 4 seasons entertainment room. I'm gonna need you to come over here and help me .. lol Good video

[@Michael-nv5rp]

those blocks are heavy too.respect to the brickie its a tough old game.

[@WoodandBricks]

Ha! You are right. There is nothing light about them. Thank you.

[@Doomzdayxx]

This might be the best block laying videos I've seen.

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you. I appreciate it!

[@jackmill4235]

amazing trowel action

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you!

[@JosephBattley1]

Your a pro with the mortar lol

[@happyface2373]

Thanks

[@jeanalexandre1105]

It looks like you're doing an excellent job with the center block wall. The question is why was the old wall crumbling and my first place. Does it need support columns. To prevent the new wall from collapsing

[@WoodandBricks]

The wall failed because of an old sidewalk that sloped towards the foundation. The sidewalk was replaced prior to fixing the wall. With the water problem solved this wall will last as long as the structure.

[@yogabrent2138]

I would love to see the finished product. I have small red bricks in my basement that are bowing and I’ve suggested that I build an interior wall just like you’re doing. However I’m interested to see how you tie it into the floor Joists. OK so I just waited a little bit longer and towards the end the video it demonstrates that. Are you willing to travel to Ohio to build mine?

[@WoodandBricks]

Well I do live in Ohio. I have a big project going that is going to keep me busy for the next year or two though. Best of luck!

[@ja4476]

Some comments remind me when Mike Holmes (that I like) get in a house and is saying everything was poorly done.... but what he isn't saying is that often, the owner just have enough money to do a very temporary repair... most of the time, it would cost +$100M to do what he's doing with his team.... If an owner is very limited on the money he has to spend for a fix, well sometimes the temporary fix is better than nothing...

[@WoodandBricks]

Exactly!

[@sheridandarkstar8413]

This is like hanging a poster over a hole in the wall. You didn’t fix anything. The foundation of that house is absolutely fucked.

[@WoodandBricks]

This is without question my favorite comment! Thank you.

[@arrierodelsur694]

Hola amigo buen trabajo yo también soy blockero saludos fr Tijuana

[@WoodandBricks]

Gracias!

[@keytothegate68]

Is it possible to add new foundation to hold the wall he is building (assuming he will transfer the weight of the house to this new wall?)

[@WoodandBricks]

The house was lifted with jack posts and then set down on the new wall.

[@melindamoore6495]

Would you repair the bricks outside now with the reinforced wall?

[@WoodandBricks]

No.

[@TheSpar29]

I just had this done in my basement except he removed the old wall

[@MrBaha2009]

Can anyone explain to me if this kind of repair isn’t code violation. I do have the same issue and I have an idea to do it with same way , but I don’t know if this is legal or not?

[@WoodandBricks]

It is not.

[@lindahickling9862]

What does shim to sill plate entail?

[@WoodandBricks]

You have to get the block tight to the plate. To do that I chip part of the block handle off. It breaks off in a wedge shape. I use that to push the block tight against the plate. I the best joint gets filled and as it sets I pull the wedge out and finish the joint.

[@TheThunder1993]

Would this technique work over a 30 foot span

[@WoodandBricks]

bacon mcbacon sure.

[@onezenman]

but will it hold if the outside colapeses nto the new wall, will the wall hold the pressure and for how long?

[@WoodandBricks]

Your guess is as good as mine.

[@lykaojalao2733]

Very nice My barn foundation is almost as bad as yours. I want to safe the barn but not really sure how to fix the foundation until I see your video. It gave me hope as I don’t to break the bank too. I have a concern with your doing, so here is my question: is your technic will also prevent leaks? Hope to hear you so I can prepare myself for this coming spring

[@WoodandBricks]

@iykaojalao this will not prevent leaks. The exterior of the wall would need to be plastered with mortar and then apply tar to the plaster to prevent leaks.

[@lykaojalao2733]

@@WoodandBricks Thanks

[@adamr4115]

Can I ask you a question.. does a wall like that need rebar or wire or anything and would it need to be filled with concrete? And if it does need to be filled .. how do you get it in there?

[@WoodandBricks]

I filled a double cell on the center. You would overlap multiple shorter pieces and the last course would not get filled in a case like this. I’m not a big fan of wire engineers seem to like it though.

[@mattkomar8372]

Great video brother. Just out of curiosity with materials included what would something like that cost as far as the entire project block mortar and labor?

[@gods_punishergp5990]

How much

[@Loonypapa]

It will cost twice as much, because he did it wrong.

[@WoodandBricks]

To do it right I’d say no less than $10,000. This cost a few hundred in materials.

[@derpherpp]

2$ a block cement 9$ a bag - u do the math - i'm guessing this is couple hundred bucks. rebars is like 50 more and it would be set -

[@melindamoore6495]

Is this considered like sistering the blocks?

[@WoodandBricks]

Not sure what you mean.

[@JAG77productions]

In Texas that’s what we call hide the trash

[@WoodandBricks]

Yeah that’s one way of putting it. I don’t disagree.

[@furryz666]

What’s your mix?

[@WoodandBricks]

Type S mortar and 18 heaping shovels of sand.

[@austinl5660]

Is your bottom row just simply laid on top of the floor, or did you did a trench below?

[@austinl5660]

Dig*

[@WoodandBricks]

Austin L the proper fix would be to dig out the existing concrete and pour an eight inch thick footer. In this case I did not because the old wall was still partially intact.

[@gabe7789]

What is the name of the song in the background? It sounds cool.

[@WoodandBricks]

Brant Biork or Truckfighters. Search for desert rock playlist it won’t disappoint.

[@pitbull4029]

Why no veritcal rebar tied into the footings then pour soild grout or mud and maybe use 10"block instead of 8" did you tie into the ends of wall where your leads were

[@WoodandBricks]

Wasn’t necessary.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

As a novice I imagine this video is not directed at me. However, it would have been nice to have some explanation of what you are trying to accomplish with respect to replacing the exterior wall, how it affects load bearing, what to do with gas or electrical lines that might pass through the original wall. Is the space created between the new wall and the old wall filled with anything or is it just a nice new nesting area for mice?

[@WoodandBricks]

Still working on my presentation skills.

[@roymckay3437]

Can I do this in front of concrete poored foundation walls all around the whole basement 1000 sqft open basement

[@roymckay3437]

It's bowing and leaking want it to look new without replacing

[@WoodandBricks]

Roy Mckay yes you can. You will want to stop the leaks first or it won’t look nice for long.

[@Michael-nv5rp]

skill

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you.

[@B1ackn1ghT.]

Music?

[@WoodandBricks]

Truckfighters and Brant Biork.

[@EmpireTextbooks]

What’s the best way to go about correcting the root of the problem on the outside where the water was draining improperly causing the wall to bow in?

[@WoodandBricks]

@empiretextbooks often just adding soil around the foundation and making it slope away from the house is all that it takes. For this one there was a concrete sidewalk that was replaced first.

[@EmpireTextbooks]

@@WoodandBricks should you first dig around the foundation and put gravel?

[@WoodandBricks]

@@EmpireTextbooks dig a trench along the wall down to the footer. Repair the wall. Install a footer drain. Wash all dirt off the wall. Plaster the exterior wall with mortar. Waterproof the plaster after it has cured with Mastergaurd foundation tar. Brace the wall on the inside. Backfill the entire trench with #57 washed gravel. Grade the area with topsoil making sure it slopes away from the house. Remove the braces from the inside. That would be a proper repair. In this video I was repairing this wall for a friend. Aside from the block laying technique there is nothing proper about the repair we did. He didn’t have the money to do it the right way. The city replaced the sidewalk that runs the length of that wall. The sidewalk was poured right to the foundation so they fixed the water problem. In an ideal situation we would have torn the sidewalk out then did a proper replacement of the wall as mentioned above. The main purpose of the wall I laid was to close up the basement. We did our best to make it structurally sound and to this point it is. That wall supports three stories above it and it was sinking prior to this repair. It hasn’t moved since installing this wall. I hope that helps. Best of luck!

[@EmpireTextbooks]

@@WoodandBricks wow this is very helpful, it’ll be a good spring project. Thanks for your help!

[@EmpireTextbooks]

@@WoodandBricks regarding the support wall that you built on the inside, could you instead just sister 3 2x6s together and support with jacks to provide permanent support next to the bowing foundation? Obviously what you did looks better than this would but would it be another viable option?

[@trevor5290]

I would have use lateral strapping from the new wall anchored to the old wall and then back filled the void in-between with concrete.

[@WoodandBricks]

I used fiber mesh in the mortar much stronger than wire and rebar.

[@michaelstevens3479]

I spent 54 years doing this and to my supprise I lived to tell the tale-__ well I was expecting to die of boredom,

[@jonyovanno4145]

Are you just putting up a wall behind the existing wall?

[@WoodandBricks]

Pretty much.

[@grassabrutta]

I like the work. The result is a lovely wall. But, I don't understand why you built a wall in front of another wall which you could have repaired instead.

[@WoodandBricks]

You do the job you are asked to do. Sometimes it doesn’t make a lot of sense. I pinned a comment that explains it in detail! Thanks for watching and the sub!

[@madmanvideos251]

Don’t do this folks. Just making more work when it comes time to do it right.

[@WoodandBricks]

Agreed.

[@PanamaSticks]

I can tell you know what you're doing!

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you.

[@adamr4115]

Ps nice work

[@WoodandBricks]

Thanks!

[@jamiewatkinson9564]

Quick question bud from the last time. Does this sound accurate to Talley up a price. Quote 100$, labor rate$800 a day materials $100 repointing not expensive and gas $100. Totaling $1,100 for the day. Is this a good rough formula to be in the ballpark?

[@WoodandBricks]

Sounds pretty good to me.

[@jamiewatkinson9564]

@@WoodandBricks if u don't mind me asking what do u charge for the day $800?

[@WoodandBricks]

@@jamiewatkinson9564 it varies depending on the job. $800 is a pretty good average.

[@jamiewatkinson9564]

@@WoodandBricks reason I ask if my formula is acceptable because I started a BRICK-POINTING buisness 2 years ago and never used this formula and was bidding so high I was loosing work. That's why I asked if this was acceptable or should I charge 900 a day? What do u think or keep it at 800 a day labor rate

[@WoodandBricks]

@@jamiewatkinson9564 it all depends on the market you are in and how bad you need the work. I have done work incredibly cheap on the past because of the competition and low paying work was better than none. If you aren’t getting jobs because the customer is cheap I would keep my price the same. If you are bidding jobs and not getting the work and you see someone else is doing it maybe you need to consider lowering your price.

[@Smokey420Greenleaf]

lol @ 6:42: who needs head joints, right? XD

[@WoodandBricks]

I always fill my closures solid. Thanks for watching!

[@auxrush]

is that considered a repair? He just built another wall in front of the damaged wall....

[@WoodandBricks]

Not really.

[@mastersamurai7683]

You have a very soft touch to be able to lay with that mortar so soft

[@jonathanandtrishavlogs6874]

That’s exactly what I thought of doing to a cellar. Only thing I would do more is add rebar

[@jonathanandtrishavlogs6874]

I’m ours only has cracks appearing, so I’m doing the entire 4 walls

[@WoodandBricks]

Great.

[@bigbenjit]

Great video. Did you backfill between the two walls or leave a void?

[@WoodandBricks]

B Thiessen yes we did backfill all but the last two courses.

[@WoodandBricks]

B Thiessen thank you.

[@christinajones7319]

Hi, my basement wall is falling apart like the one in this video. I wanted to know. Do, I need to remove all the old bricks on the wall first? Or, can I do what your doing. And just put a new wall in front of the old wall.

[@WoodandBricks]

Christina Jones it depends on a lot of things. The most important part was fixing the water problem on the outside that caused the wall to fail in the first place. The old sidewalk outside this wall used to slope toward the basement and that caused the wall to deteriorate. A new sidewalk was poured before replacing this wall. For this repair the homeowner had a very limited budget. Because of that we skipped a few steps that make it not the most proper of repairs. We did not pour a footer we just laid the block on the floor. The corners of the old wall are still bearing most of the weight. This walls purpose is more to close up the hole in the basement wall and less structure. There are plenty of bricklayers that would say this is not the right way to fix it. But I am confident that this wall is a permanent fix. Good luck with yours.

[@christinajones7319]

@@WoodandBricks thanks!

[@jamiewatkinson4123]

His technique is a bit off just the way he lays the block and the way he points up. But he did a good job

[@WoodandBricks]

Thanks

[@jthkeystone]

I am a bricklayer (also lay block) and my company specializes in foundation repair. We have repaired foundation walls that looked similar to this one. This repair was not being done correctly at all. In this case they should have completely replaced the old wall. The repair they did could easily fail.

[@WoodandBricks]

Thanks.

[@PAINT_S_CAPES]

How much does a job like this cost - to replace the caved in wall??

[@WoodandBricks]

@@PAINT_S_CAPES this was about $600. To do it right you’re starting around $10,000.

[@byugrad1024]

I'd be more concerned about what that pocket you formed between the old and new wall will do. You may have fixed one problem, but in my opinion created another. The outside will continue to erode into that pocket whether you like it or not, whether you fixed the outside water problem or not. There is nothing holding the soil back, and the owner should expect extreme settling around the outside of the house until enough of it makes its way into the pocket you formed. Oh, and that wall you built is likely not resting on a footing, which shouldn't help at all to transfer the loads to the ground. As far as I can tell, it looks like this wall, although expertly crafted, is nothing more than a facade, and a possible way to subvert the process of inspections that protect and shield future buyers from (best case) negligence, or (worst case) deceit on the part of the seller. In my opinion, you may have good intentions, but this wall is a terrible idea and should never have been built.

[@WoodandBricks]

I don’t disagree with what you are saying. At best it bought him some time to do it right. It does have an 8” footer. The rest of the building does not. It’s over 100 years old. There is no ill intent here. The owner has owned the place for years and doesn’t intend on selling it. Financially the options were to do nothing or try to put a cheap bandaid on it. The house was sinking. It is not anymore. That’s a win. I appreciate the comment. Also I won’t be posting poorly engineered work again. I just wanted to show how I lay block. It’s the first video I ever posted never even thought anyone would watch it.

[@Nick-rm2yc]

Ur laying not parging......

[@Nick-rm2yc]

Mortar is WAY too soft for Block !!!!

[@jamiewatkinson5427]

Shoemaker

[@roccobusco5226]

where is the rebar?? not any rebar vertical or horizontal .

[@WoodandBricks]

Not needed for this application. Horizontal is rare for residential purposes.

[@naterbater118]

Would put so much mud down if it wasn't so wet

[@WoodandBricks]

It’s hard to find good help. You use the mud that the laborer puts on your board.

[@scottrick90210]

i have that shirt

[@WoodandBricks]

👍🏼

[@derpherpp]

i'm not brick layer but don't u need some rebars. what if that thing fall over and crush some kids

[@WoodandBricks]

The kids are in danger.

[@stripecatflippangitnamecha8721]

I can Probobly push that new wall, no diging for the new wall and still bar. You did a good job for sure but i dont think its strong.

[@WoodandBricks]

I don’t disagree that there are many ways this wall could have been stronger. They weren’t necessary for this application. I have been building, repairing and demolishing masonry walls since 1998. Not a chance you could push it over. With the weight of the house on that wall it’s not going anywhere. Thanks.

[@saber5585]

OK, No this is NOT the way to repair the problem. The foundation is VERY old you can tell by the original block. No drain tile or plugged tile is the problem. Hydrostatic pressure is the culprit. Backhoe, trenching, jacking up the floor, laying down drain tile with gravel, etc. It's a bit of a job,not cheap and if done wrong you get to do it ALL over again. I get what's going on here but it's only a patch and WILL NOT LAST. Just saying.

[@WoodandBricks]

Agreed

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

Should have filled those blocks with sand... just saying..

[@r5yamaha]

Sand? SB filled with mortar and rebar.

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

@@r5yamaha yes. Concrete nricks or cinter blocks like these. Should be filled with sand when youre done. Sand with water can help get the sand into the nook and crannies compacting it. Which makes the structure stronger and insulated better

[@WoodandBricks]

That is not an accepted practice here. I’m not sure what the reason to fill it with sand would be. I have laid a lot of block both residential and commercial also completed a four year apprenticeship program and never heard of it being done. Filling cells with mortar and/or concrete is common and required to a certain extent. Not sand though.

[@joseluisramirez6197]

Hola 👋🏼 do you have a phone number that I can call to make an estimate?

[@WoodandBricks]

Jose Luis Ramirez I don’t work in the trade anymore. I just pick up work here and there for friends. I’m not even sure what people are charging anymore. If you just need to get a ballpark estimate to get you an idea I think $5 a block would get you close. Good luck in NE Ohio it’s getting hard to find a good bricklayer.

[@joseluisramirez6197]

Wood and Bricks thank you and God bless you

[@glassduck985]

In my humble opinion, cinder block should never be used for basements. I think it should be banned.

[@WoodandBricks]

What would you use instead? I like them better than poured foundations.

[@glassduck985]

@@WoodandBricks I got the stuff it looks like Styrofoam and then you pour concrete in it. I don’t think it’s Styrofoam, but it supposed to be waterproof that looks like that would be the best of both worlds.

[@WoodandBricks]

@@glassduck985 👍🏼

[@trevor5290]

@@glassduck985 Yes.. ICF is the latest and greatest. Builds a wall and is already insulated. Cost a bit more but saves in so many other areas.

[@Nick-rm2yc]

Are u spoiled?? That's a nice Stabila level but very clean.. I use Stabilas I have a 16" - 2' - 3' and 4' and I use them all everyday, YOU gotta wipe the bubble glass to see the bubble a lot but that's coming from someone that produces a lot. Guess that's the difference so sit down son

[@WoodandBricks]

I’m sensing strong laborer vibes. I checked your channel to see how to do it right but there were no videos. So why don’t you head back to the mixer where you belong.

[@linden5576]

You can’t build a wall in front of a wall! That wall is not going to support the outside structure that sits on top of the crumbling wall! You’re due to a huge issue in time. Fine if you just want to sell the house and let the next person worry about it. But they need to start holding people accountable. Did you pull a permit? And get it inspected? It would’ve never passed!

[@WoodandBricks]

Thank you for your incite.

[@idodata9191]

GOOD COVER UP

[@WoodandBricks]

👍🏼