Fake Interior block wall and has this beam been cut?

**Dan Hagman** · 01-22-2015, 08:28 PM

I just seen this new looking block wall and then noticed the real foundation block wall behind it. This fake one I non load bearing ad I wonder what is behind it or what are they hiding. Cracks, efflorescent, moisture, mildew, hat do you think? Also, This main center load bearing beam loos as though it as been cut and altered, I have never seen a beam above block look like this before, does this look right to you?

- - - Updated - - -

The 1st two pics are of the fake block wall and pic 3&4 are the interior load bearing wall down the center of the house.

**John Kogel** · 01-22-2015, 09:19 PM

No, the beam looks like a conventional built-up beam. The cut is in a nailer strip that supports the joists, old-school joist hanger arrangement.

My psychic powers are limited by distance, so I can't see anything behind that block wall.

**Raymond Wand** · 01-23-2015, 04:36 AM

Likely a new block wall was installed because the one behind it is failing.

**Mark Reinmiller** · 01-23-2015, 08:28 PM

When someone goes to the trouble of building a new block wall in front of the original wall it usually means that the original wall bowed inward. In my experience the new wall is seldom built correctly. This is usually a non-engineered fix that does not work. Big red flag, no matter how good the new wall looks.

**Dan Hagman** · 01-23-2015, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller

When someone goes to the trouble of building a new block wall in front of the original wall it usually means that the original wall bowed inward. In my experience the new wall is seldom built correctly. This is usually a non-engineered fix that does not work. Big red flag, no matter how good the new wall looks.

Thanks Mark, that's what I thought but wanted to hear from others. The new block wall is not bearing any load at all and stops a few inches from the joists and is about 6" away from the existing original wall so nothing can be seen.