closing up a door with blocks

[whtdragn]

I have a door to the outside that I want to block in with concrete blocks and then cover with a masonary stucco. I have one problem how to I connect the blocks with the existing wall so to make it stronger. I want to add something stronger then just the concrete between the side blocks. Any ideas from some concrete experts would be appreciated.

[Dayzee]

I have a door to the outside that I want to block in with concrete blocks and then cover with a masonary stucco. I have one problem how to I connect the blocks with the existing wall so to make it stronger. I want to add something stronger then just the concrete between the side blocks. Any ideas from some concrete experts would be appreciated.

Gosh, why so ultra secure? I don't know one single thing about it, but can't you just put lots of re-bar in your blocks? You must have quite a fort there. Maybe I am not clear on the concept? Maybe I should have passed on this thread!

[NCLee]

The only thing I can think of is to remove some of the half blocks on either side of the doorway. Carefully chip/cut (with a masonery saw, if you have one) out along the seams. Then, mud in new whole blocks at those points, so in essence you weave in new blocks along the sides. (You're staggering the joints, rather than having 1 straight joint on either side of the doorway.)

Lee

[randallhilton]

When I used to do masonry work we had wall ties which are 1 1/2" (or so) wide strips of corrugated sheet metal, about 8 or 10" long. Nail or screw one end of the tie to the existing structure at the same level as the horizontal joints in your blocks. This way, they are encased in mortar between the blocks and securely fastened to the existing structure on the ends.

Once the mortar sets up, everything is pretty much tied together, one won't give without the other giving.

Look at fig. 2 on this page:
http://www.gobrick.com/BIA/technotes/t44b.htm

[MissouriFree]

NCLee is right. that is the best way.

An alternative is to use a masonry bit and drill holes in the motar joint lines in the joining wall(s). Then epoxy in #3or #4 rebars ( #4 is easiest to find is uusally available at HD). You do not need to go in but 3 or 4 inches. then bond them in place with a Sika concrete set . It comes in tubes at Home depot that you can use with a regular caulk gun. Leave about same 3-4 sticking out out to set in the mortar joint of the new block. You certainly don't have to it on every course- at the most every other and maybe even every third course.

Drill the holes before starting and and don't set the bars until you lay up to that level so you don't have bars sticking out..

I had to join a new block foundation to an existing block foundation and used this method and it came out great and pretty easy to do.

Only tool I needed was the right size masonry bit and a 1/2 hammer drill. Good excuse to buy one. It is a tool I hardly every use so I bought a $60 low end. I would suggest buying high quality masonry bit. the cheap ones wear out fast Still got both years later. Everything you need is at home depot or lowes.