jeff wrote:
snip
My thoughts are not to replace the wall yet, since it may last a few years
or more before falling. If there are potentially a few or more years of
life left in the wall I'd rather not rush into putting up a new one. Do you
think, based on what I just described, that it sounds I'm making the right
decision in waiting to replace the wall, or does it sound to you like my
wall is in dire need of replacement?

Yep. Just be mentally prepared for the possibility that the wall could
come down sooner than you think.

BTW, I had another mason look at the wall and he offerred to do the
following for $495: 1) repair the outer surface of the wall with concrete so
that the surface is even (since some of the concrete surface has chipped off
below the horizontal crack, and since there are other small cracks in the
surface) and 2) paint the repaired surface with a drylock masonry paint.

All a waste of money really.

Also, the mason pointed out that, toward the middle of the wall, the ground
is sloped toward the wall. His recommendation is that I install a drain
pipe along side the wall and then put gravel on top, and then put some soil
on top of that, so that the ground alongside the wall would be level and so
that water will drain through the pipe. Granted, I realize this isn't ideal
because the drain pipe won't be at the very bottom of the wall, but it may
still help direct water away from the wall. He offered to do this for an
additional $195.

This would be nice, but you *really* want it on the other side of the
wall.

At this time, I'm leaning toward hiring this mason to do both jobs. Both
jobs will cost a total of $690. Granted, I realize the resurfacing portion
of the work won't do anything toward preventing any further shifting of the
wall but could at least protect the outer surface itself from exposure to
elements, and it would improve the appearance. The drain pipe portion of
the work might help prevent shifting if it helps direct the water away from
the wall.

It's you're house, but you're paying about 20% of a full repair for what
is essentially a bandaid.

Do you think having any of this repair work done sounds reasonable, or would
I be better off simply not having any work done until it's actually time for
a new wall?

I wouldn't do it, but then someo have noted that I'm more tolerant of
things not exactly looking pristine. That's really what you'd be paying
for: a cosmetic to cover the problem up untill you want to get to it.

For me, such things are counter productive: if something is failing, I'd
like to at least be able to see it on a daily bassis so that I can judge
if it's accellerating or not.


John
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