[doughpat]

Well, this very well could turn into an insurance claim. Trying to get a little background information before I go reaching out the insurance adjuster, as this building is "non-conforming" and I'm not sure the city will let me rebuild it due to current zoning/setbacks. It was built 50-70 years ago and lots has changed since then (duh).

Pretty clearly someone hit the building right at the corner. Appears to have pushed "in" (to the left) the wall at the 4th course of cinder blocks. I assume the width of the gap is approximately indicative of the amount the top 3/4 of the wall was pushed in.

So the questions:

A.) I'm sure this is bad, but "how bad" -- i.e. is it in imminent danger of collapse?
B.) I've done very little/no work with cinder block walls. Is there any hope of repairing this corner without totally demo'ing it and starting over? FWWI, the blocks are hollow (i.e. no fill), old, and they seem really soft (I recently drilled a 1" hole in it and it took about 3 seconds to get through with a hammer drill and a good bit)
C.) Assuming the corner cannot be 'repaired', is there a method to rebuild just the corner/two walls, or is the entire building destined for a date with a dumpster?

Left side appears ok. The entire building had 'issues' (albeit relatively minor) before this collision event. Broken bonds, day-light coming through the cracks etc. Unfortunately the security camera was not installed before the collision (it was the motivation for it)

I put the broken pieces here for no good reason. Figured it might be good to save them (??). You can see the black 'rub marks' (guessing black enamel/powder-coating from a large truck?)

Left side of the structure seems basically unaffected

Amazingly, the garage door still rolls up, though definitely is not as well in alignment as it used to be (that is actually how I first noticed the issue -- it was stiff to roll up). The bond-break two courses down from the top is pretty easy to see in this picture (and of course the gaping ones own below)

This is an interesting picture. I think that the blocks on the right (actual corner blocks) stayed put, while the left 'middle' block was pushed to the left as it was attached to the block that was actually hit.

Pre-collision picture showing the structure as a whole.

 

[de-nagorg]

You want the truth, or a fantasy tale?


The building is too small, it is obviously in the wrong place.

It is unsafe to even try to repair that.

Get an insurance adjuster out, and take the money and build a bigger better garage elsewhere on the lot.

ED

 

[doughpat]

You want the truth, or a fantasy tale?


The building is too small, it is obviously in the wrong place.

It is unsafe to even try to repair that.

Get an insurance adjuster out, and take the money and build a bigger better garage elsewhere on the lot.

ED

Yes, the truth would be appreciated.

The building was built sometime in the 50's and has served its purpose (and continues to serve "a" purpose). But yes, it is obviously tiny, right on what is now a busy alleyway, and basically a very heavy shed.

(To be fair, it served as a blacksmith shop, and a ceramics studio for 70 years, but yes -- times have changed and it is now obsolete).

Thanks for your input. My 'gut' thinks you are right. Demo'ing it and rebuilding will probably need to happen, its just a difficult time for that to occur for other reasons. Might need to be delayed until fall of 2022.

 

[kwikfishron]

If that was mine I'd just push the block back where it goes, whip up a bucket of mortar, patch it up and be done with it.

 

[de-nagorg]

Chances are that the driver does not know that they hit this.
And if they do know, they don't give a darn.

Look for a user of the alley, with a black truck, with a scrape down the side, there will be my suspect for this damage.


It is a shame that there are careless people that do not care what they destroy.

That is a tale in itself, and I will cease now.

ED

 

[de-nagorg]

If that was mine I'd just push the block back where it goes, whip up a bucket of mortar, patch it up and be done with it.

Good luck with that.

It's compromised, and unsafe.

ED

 

[doughpat]

If that was mine I'd just push the block back where it goes, whip up a bucket of mortar, patch it up and be done with it.

Ok, so if one was going to pursue this route...even if just for the several-months-long wait for a proper demolish/rebuild:

-How the heck would you go about doing this?

It seems to me like the section of ball from block 4 up through block 11 need to be brought back over to the right. Blocks 3B, 2B, and 1B also appeared to have moved with that section of wall.

I don't see how you could really exert the kind of somewhat-uniform force you'd need to bring that entire section over.

 

[doughpat]

The other somewhat obvious issue is related to the insurance-claim side of things. I definitely need to have the adjuster come out and look at it before I go attempting any kind of repair. I've never filed a homeowners claim before so I don't really know how that process will go. I'm hoping:

1.) I call the insurance company out and they say, "yep, thats damaged and we'll cover $20k to repair/rebuild". The $20k might be enough to build a "like-for-like" replacement (but I'd obviously want something bigger/nicer--fully insulated, upgraded electrical, perhaps even a bathroom)
2.) While I wait for a builder/build-able-time, I do my best to push that section of wall back into place (or at a bare minimum, fill the holes).
3.) the insurance cuts me a check for $20k
3.) I find a builder to build a proper garage, probably costing more like $40k, and I make up the difference.

I dunno. A reality check may be in order.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Call a good mason, that is definitely repairable. I would call the insurance agent, tell him you are not filing a claim just yet,want some advice. File a police report, that might be required for insurance.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

-How the heck would you go about doing this?

Call a mason, ask for a proposal. Cut a 4x4 for a tight fit here, wedge it in place with a BFH.

 

[u2slow]

Another thing than can be done for strength after its straightened up.... is carefully poke out a few voids inside and fill with concrete slurry.

 

[de-nagorg]

In the 7th photo inspect the wall, around the midpoint, or further and you will find some hidden damage, where the entire wall has moved a bit.

All that is needing to move back to the originating point.

Not a chore for a beginner.

Get a mason repair person to advise you before you have a catastrophe of falling wall onto yourself.

All this " oh just push here, or there", is inviting disaster that is deadly.

ED

 

[Half-fast eddie]

It's compromised, and unsafe.

No it’s not.

 

[Thom Paine]

It's repairable, not a tough professional repair.... Not a DIY job unless you're a mason.

Call a mason company ... block layer; reset the block and point all the morter joints.

 

[SW Dweller]

Put a 6" bollard to protect the corner. Better check with a surveyor before you did in public right of way.

Can be repaired. Might cost more than you would think. Gotta keep the door plumb and level.

 

[mark sr]

Generally you are allowed to repair a bldg that wouldn't be permitted today. Tear it down and I'd about guarantee it can't be rebuilt in it's current location but normally structures like that are grandfathered in and can legally be repaired. I'd repair it unless I was wanting to [and could afford] to build one in a different location.

 

[joed]

If the other walls are still level then this is definitely repairable. They can support the upper sections as they cut out the damaged area and rebuild it.

 

[Thom Paine]

in re: rebuild.

Ok, so if one was going to pursue this route...even if just for the several-months-long wait for a proper demolish/rebuild:

in re: rebuild.
Possible.. The Zoning may allow -0- lot line clearance; if not, it probably did at one time.
A possible way to replace it is with a Remodel Permit.
Verify this locally.
With a remod .. you must leave standing a percentage, usually measured in lineal wall footage, of the original structure; then add your expansion.

In your situation it should be worth investigation of this possibility.

 

[Thom Paine]

@
doughpat

Another thing than can be done for strength after its straightened up.... is carefully poke out a few voids inside and fill with concrete slurry.

Not a slurry fill...
properly grouted. :

concrete masonry grout

 

[u2slow]

Not a slurry fill...
properly grouted. :

concrete masonry grout

Grouted first of course.

I spent over a year on a cement-block built construction project. Most walls were poured solid at the end. Sometimes only select cores were filled.