How To Build Dry Stack Concrete Block Retaining Wall
I am going to build a retaining wall that is going to be 3 5 feet in height how far should the gravel go back and will 4 inch slotted tubing with cover for the drain be a good enough for the drain.
How to build dry stack concrete block retaining wall. Stack your wall at least 1 5 feet 0 46 m above the ground level. Anyone with a strong back can stack up a bunch of blocks and build a pretty retaining wall. Use a hand or power tamper to level the base. How to build a block wall without mortar.
Incidental water moves easily through a vertical drain that is formed by the layer of wall rock placed behind the block and in the block cores. The blocks i was thinking of using are the 57 pound block size is 16 inch in length and 12 inches in depth and 6 inches in height. This video shows you how to build a dry stack concrete block wall without mortar using quikrete quikwall surface. Part of the reason you need a stem wall is to keep ground moisture away from the structure you re building.
A dry stack wall is a block wall that doesn t need mortar to hold it together. For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide. The dry stack construction technique allows the incidental water to escape by flowing around the blocks and out the. Backfill with gravel behind the wall to cover the drainage pipe.
Once the first course is set dry stack the remaining block in a running bond pattern to the desired height all corners should use an interlocking pattern. But it takes skill and planning to construct an attractive wall that can also handle immense pressure shrug off the forces of gravity stand for decades and laugh in the face of mother nature. You will need some mortar to create a solid foundation for your wall but we ll cover that later. Sweep away all debris from the top of the first course of block with a broom.
Step 7 thoroughly dampen the block wall with water dry block will draw the water from the mix making it difficult to finish and can cause inconsistent color and cracking especially in. Dry stack walls are best used when building a dividing wall or any wall that will not contain doors or windows like a retaining wall or wall around a trash can or ac unit. Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide. Stack the second course of blocks on top of the first course making sure they remain level.
The hollow core design combines with mortarless construction to allow water to drain freely from behind the segmental retaining wall.