We just had an earthquake yesterday.


We hired a contractor in 2009 to put up a cinder block wall (using 16 in. x 8 in. x 6 in. block). We have stucco the wall.

Two different sources gave me two different advice back in 2009 for a 6 feet wall.

• The first row can sits on a 1.5 feet mortar bed foundation.
• 1/3 of the wall needs to be buried.

The contractor buried about 1.5 blocks of footing (foundation) for the 6 feet in height area. When we found out he did not bury at least 3 blocks, we took over the project and buried 3 blocks (as the foundation) for the 4 feet and 2 feet in height area. Rebar #3 or #4 were also used throughout the horizontal footing and vertical wall. I don't recall if we "L-Hook" the intersection where the vertical rebars meet the horizonatal rebars. We may have just twistie tie them.


My question is the rebar enough to make up for the strength in the 6 feet in height area where the contractor did not put enough footing depth? If not, how do we reinforce this?


It has been 7 years and there has been no visible signs of cracks.


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mevt46rkz...7k92vRc4a?dl=0

 

If the wall's stucco survived an earthquake without cracking, you probably don't need to do anything at this point.

Unless you enjoy laying awake at night, worrying about reinforcing the wall (that it probably doesn't need).