Expert: Dan Griffin - 2/15/2010

Question
We have a cinder block wall that separates our property from the neighbors property. For the last 20 or 25 years their sprinklers have been hitting the wall and now the wall on our side is starting to crumble. Is there any way to stop that with out replacing the blocks because the neighbor will not do anything with his irrigation system.

Answer
Jeff, the answer is to get the wall dried out and coat the wall with something that keeps the water out of the wall. If the neighbor has no interest in working on his side, I'm afraid there is not much that can be done.  You can coat your side with several products that will stop the water and help preserve your side, but there is damage going on inside the wall.

EIFS (Dryvit) is a polymerized coating that is good at bonding to masonry and is quite water resistant.  

Thoroseal would be a good product to consider:
http://www.thoroproducts.com/products_waterproofing.htm

Xypex would be an excellent product to look into:
http://www.xypex.com/

Both the Thoroseal and the Xypex are products that you could perform.  The EIFS work is very much like plaster work and would probably require a professional.

I have used all the products and had excellent results with each.

Again, it would be best to treat both sides of the wall.  A one sided application is NOT a cure, only a stop gap.