How to Fill a Cinder Block with Concrete

Whenever you are working with cinder block, you can strengthen them greatly by filling them with concrete. Whenever you are debating between working with poured concrete or cinder blocks you will see that cinder blocks are much less expensive, but not as strong. You will be able to fix this problem by simply filling them with concrete. This is still less expensive than using all poured concrete. This is something that is not difficult to do and will strengthen your cinder blocks quite a bit. You may also find that if you have cinder blocks that are cracked, concrete can help. However, you should use much caution whenever you are working with cracked cinder blocks.

Step 1 – Do the Math

Figure out how much concrete that you will need for your cinder blocks. It does not take very much concrete in order to completely fill a cinder block. The amount of concrete that you get will obviously have a lot to do with how many cinder blocks that you have. A bag of concrete should go a long way with your cinder blocks.

Step 2 – Drill

It is a good idea to begin your project by drilling the holes into the cinder blocks. You will need to make sure that you use a hammer drill for this task. Any other type of drill that you use on the cinder blocks will not be able to do the job properly. Attempting to use a regular drill could damage the drill or even the cinder block. Make sure that you have a 12 inch drill bit, this will be the best size considering what you are drilling.

Step 3 – Prepare Concrete

It is a good idea to wait to prepare the concrete until you are ready to use it. Make sure to read the directions that are on the back of the bag to make sure that you do it correctly. Each type of concrete has slightly different directions. Pour the necessary amount of water to go along with the amount of concrete that you are using. Typically, a 5 gallon bucket or even a wheelbarrow will suffice in being the container that you mix the concrete in. Make sure that you use your concrete mixer until the concrete has been properly stirred. Once it has, you are ready to begin using it.

Step 4 – Use Concrete

You will pour the concrete into the holes that you drilled to in order to make them stronger. However, if you are using the concrete to attempt to fix cracks, you will need to add rebar to the other side of the crack. This will be so that you will be able to tie it all together. Once the concrete has been successfully inserted into the cinder block you will need to allow it time to dry completely.