How to Build a Concrete Block Wall

Retaining walls serve a number of purposes, like preventing or controlling soil erosion, providing vertical support to the land, or managing the downfall of water in the area. The structural purposes of building retaining walls is to level or give height and preserve the grade of the soil. Retaining walls are sometimes used only for landscaping. Natural stone retaining walls look very beautiful and are generally used for improving outdoor decor. Other types of retaining walls include gravity, cantilevered, soil nailing, etc.

Concrete block retaining walls are a type of gravity retaining walls. They make one of the best retaining walls used for outdoor landscaping and gardens, because they provide better vertical support than other retaining walls. Concrete retaining walls are deep and hence make better foundations. They are deeper and contain heavy soil below them. They are resistant to any type of weather condition. Let us take a look at how to build a concrete block retaining wall.

Building a Concrete Block Wall

Before starting the construction of a concrete block wall, it is necessary to decide the type of concrete blocks you will be using. There are many types of concrete blocks used in different constructions. They are stretchers, end blocks, rough-edged blocks, cap blocks, decorative blocks and interlocking blocks. Choose the one that will satisfy your needs. Decorative blocks can be a better option when you are building a concrete block wall for landscaping. Before buying the blocks, measure the area of installation and buy the appropriate number of concrete blocks, amount of mortar required and other building materials that may come in handy. The retailer from whom you will be buying the concrete blocks can help you with the selection of blocks, amount of concrete blocks and mortar. Let us now take a look at a step by step method on how to build a concrete block retaining wall.

Step #1: Prepare an outline of the wall and wall footing with help of masonry string. Level the area where you will be installing the wall. Then dig the foundation required for the wall; the width and depth of the foundation should be twice the width of the wall.

Step #2: Prepare a wooden form, using lumber around the strings and install reinforcement bars to ensure strength of the footing. Fill concrete in the form and level it throughout. Then leave the concrete to cure for at least 3 days by covering it with a plastic sheet.

Step #3: Once the concrete has cured, remove the form using a shovel. Now take the concrete blocks and lay them on the footing for testing. You may need to cut the end block for proper alignment. Make marks with a pencil on the footing for placing each of the concrete blocks. Use wooden strips for spaces between the blocks. This marking will help you while actually laying the concrete blocks on the footing.

Step #4: Now prepare the mortar required for the concrete blocks according to the manufacturer's instructions. You will be placing the blocks at the end of the wall first. Before installing these end blocks, use the pencil mark you made before and apply a little more mortar than the width and length of the block. Then place the block over it and remove the extra mortar with the help of trowel.

Step #5: Repeat the procedure to install the concrete block at the other end. Then draw a string line between the two end blocks to ensure that remaining blocks will be placed in a straight line. Later, install the first row of the concrete retaining wall. Tap the concrete blocks gently after applying the mortar. Similarly, lay the remaining rows of the concrete block wall.

This was a simple do it yourself method for how to build a concrete block wall.