Building a brick retaining wall can be a major landscaping project, but it can be well worth the effort for homeowners looking to add some unique touches to their yard. However, because it’s a more complex project than most, you need to plan carefully and know your way around a hammer and nail. With that in mind, here is our step-by-step guide for building a retaining wall out of bricks.
Plan
You must first determine the size, shape and materials for your retaining wall. The best way to do this is to measure the area you want to build your wall in and make sure that you have the right quantity of materials on hand before beginning construction. You will also need a variety of tools to help you build your wall including:
- A hammer
- Nails/staples (depending on what kind of material you are using)
- Level or plumb line
- Tape measurer (if needed)
If necessary, hire skilled individuals who can assist with building your retaining walls such as carpenters or contractors. Having a strong team behind them will allow builders access to more resources which makes it easier for them not only complete their project but also enjoy building walls faster than normal people would be able to
Gather Materials
- Gather the materials. You’ll need to gather up the bricks, sand and cement you will be using to build your wall.
- Determine how many bricks you’ll need for your project. Take into consideration how long and high you want the wall to be, as well as any other features or designs (such as curves) that may require more bricks than a rectangle shape would require. When calculating how many bricks you’ll need, it’s also important not to forget about extra supplies like mortar or grout between each row of individual bricks.
- Determine if there are any local building codes that must be followed when building this structure in your area as well; some places require licensing for projects like this one so make sure all requirements have been met before beginning construction on such a large scale project.
Dig a trench
Next, dig a trench approximately 3 feet wide and at least 8 inches deep. Fill the trench with gravel so that it is level with the top of the ground around your wall. This will provide a stable base for your retaining wall and prevent rainwater from pooling at its foot.
Once you’ve dug your trench, clear away any weeds or grass in areas where they may interfere with construction of your retaining wall. If there are any plants in need of removal, do so carefully so as not to damage them or their root systems; these roots can cause major problems later on if left behind.
Lay the block
The first step to laying the blocks is to ensure that the blocks are all level. If you build your wall on a slope, it will be impossible to keep it straight and level. The next step is to make sure that each block is properly aligned with its neighbor so that when you set them in place, they will create a perfect brick ledge for the next layer of blocks.
Once all of your block are laid out as evenly as possible, carefully begin putting them into place. This can be done by hand or using some sort of bricklaying machine like a pneumatic stonemason’s trowel (for small walls) or an electric screwdriver equipped with an attachment tip (for larger walls).
Lay the first course of blocks
Next, lay the first course of blocks. Make sure they’re level.
- Use a level to ensure they’re level with the ground, not just with other blocks.
- Make sure they’re also level with the top of the wall if you’re building an inward-facing retaining wall or with the bottom of your block work if it’s an outward-facing one.
Use a level to ensure that each block is even on all sides.
Once you have all of your bricks, you can begin the process of building a brick retaining wall. In order to ensure that each block is even on all sides, it’s important for you to use a level.
When using a level, there are three things that you will want to make sure are properly aligned:
- Level – You want each side of the block to be level with one another and also with the ground.
- Straight – Each side should be straight even if they aren’t perfectly parallel with one another or perpendicular with the ground.
- Square – The two corners where two sides meet should be 90 degrees from one another (or “square”) so they fit together seamlessly when placed next to one another
Fill in the gaps between the blocks on your first course with sand.
Sand is used to fill in the gaps between the blocks on your first course of blocks. Sand is also used for leveling and compacting, but you’ll want to do that with a tamping rod so it’s not necessary for now.
Build up your wall one row at a time, using a level to keep all of the blocks even on each side.
- Use a level to make sure each block is the same height.
- Use a level to check that the wall is level as you build it up one row at a time.
Add Drainage if needed.
If you’re building a brick retaining wall that will be above ground level, you may need to install a drainage system. This is necessary because water can pool at the bottom of the wall. If left alone for long enough, this moisture can damage both your bricks and mortar.
To build a proper drainage system, start by laying down gravel or stones in the area around your retaining wall so that it slopes down toward where you place your drain pipe (if you’re using one). The gravel will serve as an outlet for excess water and let it flow into the drain pipe when there’s too much rain or snowfall before it has time to settle on top of your brick work.
- Note: If possible, place large rocks under any areas where soil meets concrete so as not to create any unnecessary holes in which frogs or other critters could take up residence.
If you’re thinking of building a brick retaining wall, here’s how to do it.
A brick retaining wall is a wall built to hold back soil, rocks, or other materials. Retaining walls are typically used to raise the level of land behind them so that it can be used for gardens and patios. They can also help prevent erosion and keep the land stable. A brick retaining wall is usually made with bricks, but other materials such as stone or concrete blocks can be used instead.
These walls are not very tall; they are usually only two feet (60 centimeters) high at most. They’re usually built in front of your house’s foundation so that you have access to the backyard if you want it for gardening purposes or playtime activities with your children.
How To Build A Brick Retaining Wall
If you’re thinking about building a brick retaining wall around your house, here’s how:
- First put down plastic sheeting over any plants or trees in order not damage them when digging holes for posts later on down the line.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of building a brick retaining wall, you should be ready to tackle one of your own. If you have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
