Using Old Painted or Stuccoed Cinder Block?
by
Janet AF
+8
Our house was hit by hurricane Harvey. We have been told it is a tear down. Many of the walls are cinderblock and tjey charge by the lb to dispose of them. I am starting a list of things we can do with lots of cinderblock any helpnis appreciated. Many of them are coated with stucco all are at least painted. I am talking 1000s of them.
I'm so sorry to hear about your house Janet! Our thoughts are with you!
There's a wild amount of projects right here on Hometalk for what to do with cinder blocks. Personally I'm a fan of the benches people make out of them. https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=cinder%20block
Do you need a fence or wall around your backyard? Mine is made out of cinder blocks. Just an idea for you. Hope your insurance gets you a wonderful new home.
Sorry to hear that devastating news. http://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/g4462/cinder-block-garden-ideas/ wishing you the best of luck
I am so sorry to you, your family and all your friends & neighbours who have suffered from such a terrifying storm & the loss of your home etc. I really do not know what to recommend except to perhaps reuse them to build walls / rather than wooden fencing around your site. This will offer a strong wind break for the development of your new garden. Perhaps you can use some for a patio, building an outdoor BBQ area, pathways or similar. I really do wish your entire city all the very best in your recovery. Best wishes.
Kudo's to you for trying to reuse building material.
If using for a fence, consider reinforcing bar (re-bar) and concrete fill all on top of proper foundation so they don't topple over in the next wind. Sorry, but nothing easy about a block fence.
The easiest way, and most clever way, I have seen use of cinder blocks was to build a patio set and fire pit without using any cement on them. The blocks on the seats are covered with 2 by 12's on the arms and back, the blocks are staggered for strength and stability, and the fire pit is made with open air coming in the base to help circulate the air. The fire pit also needs gravel or sand in the upturned blocks for stability and protection. The final touch are the cushions that can be purchased at any department store that sells patio sets. See the photo for better understanding how this works.
You can use them to line your sidewalk....you can use them to make raised beds for garden, you can use them to make flow bed holders. I am so sorry that your house is lost....I cannot imagine losing everything I own. Please note that we are all praying for your guys and know that things will get back to a similance of order, but it will just take time. God Bless You.
I'm so sorry about your home. Maybe you can at least get a free patio for your next house out of the cinder blocks! Or raised garden beds. Or a retaining wall. Or an outdoor fireplace. Or steps. Or ???
Best wishes to you and your family and neighbors. We're thinking of you as the forest fires rage in the Northwest and we wish we had some of your extra water.
Maybe you can use them to make pilings to raise your new house above the flood level in the next storm.
PS Houston used to have a concrete recycling plant when they were redoing the highways back in the 80s..... They crush it up and use to make more concrete for new projects.