Cinderblock Wall Repair

Tools:

stiff-bristled brushes
wire brushes
grinding tools
bleach
rubber gloves
tri-sodium phosphate cleaner
bucket
putty knife
safety glasses
cement caulking and caulking gun
drill with masonry bit
perforated drainage tools
painting supplies
combination water sealant and paint

1. Put on the safety glasses and gloves and go to work scrubbing mildew and deposits off wall. Start with a bristled brush, and move up to a wire brush for tough areas. You may need to get to work with a hand-held grinding tool for really stubborn deposits (figure A).

2. Mix up a solution of three parts water and one part bleach and clean away mildew. Rinse the wall well, then clean entire wall with tri-sodium phosphate. Mix the TSP according to directions. Rinse the wall again and let dry until the next day.

4. Now take care of the drainage problem on the other side. Drill pilot holes through the masonry joints in areas where the damage seems to be concentrated to release water (figure C).

5. Enlarge the holes and insert drainage tubes into joints (figure D). This will allow water to drain through the wall and into the ground, rather than backing up behind the wall. Caulk around the drainage spouts with cement caulk.

6. Allow the surface to completely dry, then apply a thick coat of sealant with a paintbrush (figure E). Once the first coat dries, apply a second coat with a paint roller.