Wall Concrete Repair: Methods, Materials, and Cost 

Concrete wall repair options 

When repairing an existing concrete wall, three standard options depend on the situation.  

Demolish old walls 

The first option is to demolish the entire structure down to its foundation and remove all of the old damaged mortar between your stones or bricks. Clean both sides of any exposed stone or brick (this can be done with a wire brush or sandblasting), and then repoint the mortar. This method is usually required if your wall has extensive damage, especially to its foundation. 

Reapply new concrete 

The second option is to reapply new concrete over the top of the existing structure. You can do this by using form boards (narrow wooden strips) attached on both sides of the wall and then filling it with concrete. Once you have applied your new concrete over the top of the existing structure, you can smooth out any rough or uneven areas by using a trowel or just running water over it to help remove some excess material that has crumbled away.  

Patch small holes with concrete 

Finally, for small holes in your wall (usually not more than four inches in diameter), you can fill them with concrete and then smooth them out to match the surrounding area. 

Be sure that when you are repairing your walls with concrete, they get adequate support while drying, so they don’t collapse or fall over before the next steps of applying a new top layer of mortar on your wall. 

Reinforcing materials, you can use for concrete wall repair 

If the damage is more like a minor fracture and can be filled in with concrete without having to demolish your existing wall, there are two options.  

The first option is to use hydraulic cement; these types of cement expand as they dry, which will help fill out any cracks or gaps within the stone or brickwork. This type of cement is costly, but it also gives you the option to quickly repair your wall without having to remove all of your stones or bricks.  

If this method doesn’t provide enough support for sealing up cracks and fissures within the mortar, there is another option that can be used as a last resort; metal lath mesh can be fixed onto the wall, and then concrete can be used to fill the cracks or gaps within your mortar. Metal lath mesh is much cheaper than hydraulic cement, but it will require you to remove all of your stones/bricks for this method to work correctly.  

The last option available when repairing a wall with concrete is using wire reinforcement materials such as rebar or wire mesh. This method is the quickest and cheapest, but it will also give you the least amount of support for your wall. 

Cement mixes you can use for concrete wall repair 

When using concrete to repair a wall, several different types can be used depending on the situation; regular concrete mix, high-strength lightweight concrete (which can help reduce cracking), and epoxy-fortified concrete (this type of concrete is excellent for filling gaps in your mortar). Concrete can also be mixed with pigments to match the existing color of your stones/bricks. When using this method, there are some additives to keep in mind; while some people prefer acrylic fortifiers, others recommend against them because they reduce the strength of your concrete. 

Regular concrete mix is usually more affordable than high-strength lightweight concrete; however, it is typically not as strong. When using concrete to repair a wall, adding pigments can help you match the existing color of your stones/bricks; however, this will also affect its overall str, increasing cracking and reducing wear resistance. 

Epoxy-fortified concrete may be more expensive than regular concrete mix, but it has one of the highest strength ratings and will not crack as quickly, saving you money in repairs. When using epoxy-fortified concrete to repair a wall, it is essential to consider that adding pigments reduces overall wear resistance. They may need to be repainted more often if you match your stones/bricks exactly. 

Concrete mixes hydraulic cement is another option in wall repair. Hydraulic cement mixes are more expensive, but they have a long setting time, can be used in water and freeze/thaw conditions, and help resist damage from chemicals. 

Masonry repair mortar is another option that you may want to consider when repairing your wall. This mixture has the same ingredients as regular concrete, which can fill gaps in your mortar joints. However, it does not have the same strength as concrete, so you should only use this type of mixture for filling cracks and small spaces. 

Epoxy-fortified concrete is more affordable than most other types, but it will still come out as the most expensive option on this list. When repairing a wall with concrete, it is also important to consider the costs of removing and disposing of all of your old stones/bricks and any additional support materials that you will need, such as wire mesh or rebar. 

What are the possible costs of concrete wall repairs? 

According to different concrete contractors, it depends on the size of the project. Small projects are less expensive, while larger jobs cost more. An average price for a small job is between $500 and $1000 per cubic yard of concrete removed. Larger jobs can be as high as $30 to 40 dollars per square foot of wall repaired if extensive repairs are needed or if large amounts of concrete need to be removed to fix the walls. 

Other things that will contribute to cost are the type of material used to repair the wall, whether or not additional construction is required and which contractor you choose. 

The concrete repair contractor will also add to the cost as they charge for the concrete and labor. 

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when looking at costs:  

• Price does not equal quality. Some contractors may quote lower prices, but their work will still be very shoddy or even jeopardize your safety. Others might have good reputations, but you’ll spend more money for the quality of their work. 
• Estimate and final costs will vary based on which materials you choose to use, how big your project is and what kind of material was used in the original construction (which might be different from modern building codes) 

• The cost of repairing a wall will always be much higher than the initial construction cost. However, it is still much cheaper than replacement and can help you save a lot of money in the long run as well as your time to find another place to live until it’s fixed! 
• When repairing a wall with concrete, it is essential to consider the cost of removing and disposing of all of your old stones/bricks, in addition to any extra support materials which you will need, such as wire mesh or rebar.  

Concrete repair for walls is not an easy do-it-yourself project because it relies on the expertise of a professional to ensure that your wall is reinforced correctly. 

DIY or go with concrete repair contractors? 

If the wall issues are minor or need some maintenance, you can do the repairs yourself. If not, feel free to hire a pro! 

Generally, many homeowners think it cost-effective to do repairs yourself because you are able to fix the problem for good and save money in the long run instead of hiring someone every time you need work done on your walls or concrete surfaces. However, if there are multiple issues with your wall, even with the repairs, you may have to hire a concrete company due to the amount of work required.  

In this case, it is best for your wallet and time management as well as getting quality results from hiring concrete repair services who do concrete repair frequently. The cost will be much higher, but you won’t have to worry about multiple repairs or labor costs in the future because the concrete repair specialist has done it before. 

A concrete contractor has the experience and expertise to get the job done correctly, and you don’t want to risk any additional problems down the road. In most cases, it’s better to let pros handle it because they will tell any underlying causes of wall damage. You need to find a concrete contractor that can give you a free quote and knows if they have all the tools necessary for your project. 

 Make sure to compare prices from different services so you can choose one at a reasonable price! Don’t always go with the cheapest option because it might not be good enough in terms of quality. At least, make sure the company is reliable and has good reviews from previous customers. 

You might be surprised to find out that your walls are in much worse condition than you thought! In this case, repairing them yourself will not help because it’s better to replace the entire surface than try fixing cracks or filling holes one by one. This way, every problem with concrete structure will be taken care of at once. 

The best idea is to weigh your options and research the types of repairs you need for DIY novices and professionals to estimate what works best for your situation, time management skills, etc. 

Conclusion 

Concrete is an excellent construction material that can be used for a variety of needs. It’s affordable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing because it offers the best in architectural design options. However, sometimes your concrete may need to be repaired or restored due to damage from water intrusion or cracks caused by stress on the concrete during its formation process.  

If this sounds familiar but you don’t know how to fix it yourself, JAX Concrete Contractors are here with some expert advice! Let us help you get your home back into tip-top shape again at one of our showrooms today! Call us today for a free estimate! 

CONTACT US