How To Build A Besser Brick Retaining Wall

Is your yard looking a little tired? Do you need to make better use of space, or want to break up the monotony of a sloped backyard with some terracing? If so, consider building a besser brick retaining wall! A besser brick retaining wall is made from hollow cement blocks and won’t crack over time like other options. It’s also easy to build, so anyone can do it with only basic tools. Add in the fact that it can be built as high as you’d like and in any shape you need, and a besser brick retaining wall is an excellent choice for your home. Follow along with this step-by-step guide to learn how to build one!

Step 1: Prepare the area

To make the foundation for your Besser Brick Retaining Wall, you’ll need to make sure that your area is leveled and free of weeds and rocks. Start by removing any grass or manicured plants. Then, using a shovel, remove any topsoil in order to expose the dirt underneath. Finally, level out any bumps or dips in your yard so that the dirt is flush with other areas of grass around it.

In addition to leveling and smoothing out your soil, you should also check for any rocks or roots that may be hiding beneath it before taking further steps towards construction. If you don’t find anything substantial hidden within this layer of dirt (it’s unlikely), then proceed directly onto step 2 below

Step 2: Build the post holes

  • Build post holes

The most important part of a retaining wall is the foundation, so you need to make sure that your posts are properly placed and secured. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Make sure that your ground is level by using a laser level or a string line. You will want to use your drill again as well as stakes if you don’t have something else available.
  • Dig out your post holes with a shovel or spade (depending on what kind of soil you are working with). It’s best to dig them about the same size as the posts themselves so they’ll fit snugly without wobbling around too much once they’re up in place. The depth should be measured from above ground; this depends on how tall your wall will be and how wide each panel will end up being after it’s installed on top of two adjacent panels (this way there will be no gaps between them). Remember not only how deep each hole should be but also where exactly it needs to go so there’s no confusion later on when everything starts getting crowded together. And remember: measure twice before cutting one side only once!

Step 3: Level out and pack the base

Use a level to check the base. Pack the base so that it is level with the top of your first drainage pipe. Use a tamper to pack down and smooth out the base until it’s level with the top of your first drainage pipe. You can use a shovel or wheelbarrow for this step if you don’t have access to heavy equipment like tampers and rollers.

When you’re done, you should have a consistent surface without any gaps or holes in it, just like we did in step 2 If however there are any big holes or gaps in your brick wall, now would be an ideal time for remediation work before moving on to next steps .

Step 4: Lay the foundation bricks

The next step is to lay the foundation bricks. Make sure they are level, as any flaws will be magnified once you start building up the wall. If you want to make sure that your foundation is level, use a spirit level. This will ensure that your first layer of bricks is straight and perfect.

Once each brick has been placed on the foundation, spread mortar over the tops and sides of each one with a trowel or even just your hands (if you’re feeling brave). The mortar should be spread out evenly so that all surfaces are covered by a thin layer, which will prevent water from seeping through cracks in between bricks and causing erosion when it freezes in winter time

Step 5: Lay the first course of bricks

  • Ensure the bricks are straight. Use a level to make sure each row of bricks is perfectly horizontal, and use shims as needed to keep them in place.
  • Apply mortar between the bricks with a brick trowel. Make sure you apply the mortar evenly so that it doesn’t pool in one area; this can result in cracking or other structural issues later on down the line.
  • Tap them into place with your brick hammer and gently tap each brick into place with light taps from your hammer until they’re firmly placed against their neighbors without any gaps or spaces in between them (you may want to wear safety glasses when tapping). If there’s excess mortar around any edges of your bricks, use a brick chisel to remove it so that all surfaces are flush with one another (and don’t forget safety gloves).

Step 6: Add a second course of bricks, and continue working up from there

Next, add a second course of bricks to the first by laying them in place. The easiest way to ensure that they’re level is to use a trowel or small line laser level. Be sure to leave some room between each brick and make sure that you have enough mortar in the joints to hold them together. The key here is patience—if you rush through this step, it will result in an uneven and unstable wall

As you continue building up the wall, make sure that the bricks are all laid out level with each other so there aren’t any gaps between courses and that each course fits snugly against its neighbor (don’t forget about drainage holes). You can use string lines if necessary for extra accuracy when laying out your base or top row of bricks (just be careful not to disturb your existing placement).

Conclusion

The best thing about building a Besser Brick retaining wall is that you can do it yourself! There’s nothing better than seeing the end result of a DIY project. Plus, you get to save some money on labour costs and learn something new.

If you want to find out more about how to build this or any other type of wall, check out our website. We have all kinds of different tutorials for different walls so you can make sure your garden has the perfect look.

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