Cinder Block Stability Question

I’ve run into a snag with an outdoor project and it looks like I have three options for moving forward. Hoping someone here has some insight that I don’t have to help me make the best decision. So… I’m trying to build a privacy wall made from cinder blocks and 4x4 boards. I'm making three towers of cinder blocks (three cinder blocks stacked on end for each) with the boards running between them. Most of the cinder blocks that I have have grooved edges, not the flat edges shown in most of my reference images Option #1: I use these blocks as is. They will stack on each other and are relatively stable even without adhesive. There are several points of contact for me to apply adhesive to, but I do wonder if stability will be affected because there isn’t a single wide surface connecting the blocks. Option #2: I try to fill the grooves. I’ve looked into concrete fillers; this feels like a lot of work and potentially expensive. Would filling the grooves improve stability enough to justify it? Option #3: I replace the blocks. I’m really not trying to do this; the goal is to use the materials I have. But if Option #1 isn’t going to be stable and Option #2 is going to end up being far more labor intensive and/or expensive, it might be worth it. Any legitimate advice is appreciated. submitted by /u/Any_Cantaloupe_3 [link] [comments]

May 25, 2025 - 18:26

I’ve run into a snag with an outdoor project and it looks like I have three options for moving forward. Hoping someone here has some insight that I don’t have to help me make the best decision. So…

I’m trying to build a privacy wall made from cinder blocks and 4x4 boards. I'm making three towers of cinder blocks (three cinder blocks stacked on end for each) with the boards running between them. Most of the cinder blocks that I have have grooved edges, not the flat edges shown in most of my reference images

Option #1: I use these blocks as is. They will stack on each other and are relatively stable even without adhesive. There are several points of contact for me to apply adhesive to, but I do wonder if stability will be affected because there isn’t a single wide surface connecting the blocks.

Option #2: I try to fill the grooves. I’ve looked into concrete fillers; this feels like a lot of work and potentially expensive. Would filling the grooves improve stability enough to justify it?

Option #3: I replace the blocks. I’m really not trying to do this; the goal is to use the materials I have. But if Option #1 isn’t going to be stable and Option #2 is going to end up being far more labor intensive and/or expensive, it might be worth it.

Any legitimate advice is appreciated.

submitted by /u/Any_Cantaloupe_3
[link] [comments]