How To Cover A Concrete Cinder Block Wall

Concrete cinder block walls are sturdy and easy to build, but they can often be unattractive when compared with the rest of your home.

On many homes, the entire basement or crawlspace remains unfinished with the cinder block showing.

By covering the cinder block wall with surface bonding cement you can increase the water resistance of the wall as well as the durability while creating a uniform surface that will blend with most architectural styles.

While many people think that stucco should be used on a cinder block wall, surface bonding cement is actually what should be used.

A good surface bonding cement will contain fiberglass as well as acrylic to further enhance the strength and flexibility of the product. These additives also make surface bonding cement easier to work with for first-time users.

 

Prep The Cinder Block Wall First

Begin this project by cleaning the cinder block wall thoroughly and repairing any cracks.

Soak the concrete cinder block wall thoroughly with a hose to help the surface bonding cement adhere.

Wet a portion of the wall that you will be able to cover within ten minutes and work on that section — wetting and applying surface bonding cement as you go, to prevent cracking.

 

How To Apply Surface Bonding Cement

1. Mix enough surface bonding cement to cover about 20 feet of the concrete cinder block wall according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Apply on to the moistened wall using a square trowel with small upwards strokes.
3. Plan on applying thinly: a depth of 1/8″ is best for this type of work.
4. Take your time to make sure that the surface is as smooth as possible.
5. After a single section of your concrete cinder block wall is covered, use a new, wet trowel to further smooth the surface of the cement.
6. Continue working the surface bonding cement until the desired texture is reached.
7. Then move on to the next section of wall until the wall is complete.

 

 

A Cure For Cracking

Covering a concrete cinder block wall with surface bonding cement can cause some cracking.

For this reason, you should plan on using a groover to cut vertical lines in the cement to prevent any random cracks.

Control joints, as these vertical lines are called, should be cut to a 1:2 height to length ratio, although extra control joints can be added for design purposes.

 

It’s A Great DIY Project

This project is a great way to protect the durability of your cinder block wall while enhancing the overall appearance of your backyard.

This is a good project for a homeowner who is patient and willing to work carefully and methodically.

Everyone else should contact a professional to complete the job for you.

 

 

Ways To Hide A Cinder Block Wall

• How To Cover A Concrete Wall With Stone Veneer
• A Cheap Way To Disguise A Cinder Block Wall
• Using Textured Paint On Concrete Block
• How To Parge The Ugly Out Of A Concrete Wall
• Install Faux Panels On Concrete
• Ways To Disguise A Cinder Block Wall
• How To Improve The Look Of A Concrete Retaining Wall