How to Brace a Bowing Block Wall

Brush off the surface of the bowed blocks with a nylon brush to remove any dirt and debris. Wash the brushed wall with a pH-neutral cleanser and a scrub brush to remove any dirt missed by the brush. Rinse the wall off with water and then pat it dry with rags.

Mark vertical lines down the wall every 4 feet on center with chalk to set the placement of the bracing straps.

Grind off the surface of the blocks covering a space the width of the straps plus 1 inch in a vertical line down the wall at the marked strap locations. Use a dustless grinder to remove just enough of the block’s surface to reach the aggregate of the block, where the epoxy for the straps can adhere. Wipe off any residue with a rag.

Roll a layer of epoxy adhesive 1/8-inch-thick down one of the vertical stripes on the block wall surface using a paint roller.

Remove the protective backing from a strap and press the strap against the blocks along the adhesive running from the top of the wall to its base. Cut the strip to fit using a utility knife.

Press the strip into the layer of epoxy adhesive with a putty knife to remove any wrinkles and ensure that the entire surface of the strip is adhered to the wall. The adhesive layer should seep through the mesh of the strip so that when you smooth the strip with the putty knife you spread some of the adhesive along the strip’s rear.

Repeat the application process for each of the prepared block strips.