A retaining wall is a wall that is used to hold back earth, rocks or other materials that would otherwise be displaced by the weight of the material and gravity. They are used in gardens, landscaping and construction projects. There are many different types of retaining walls and each type has its own specific design considerations.
A cinder block retaining wall is one of the most common types of retaining walls. These types of walls are inexpensive and easy to build. They can also be very strong if they are properly constructed. The key to building any kind of retaining wall is ensuring that it will not collapse under its own weight or due to pressure exerted by the materials you’re trying to retain.
If you’re building a retaining wall with cinder block and rebar, the first thing you need to do is dig a trench, pour concrete footer at least 12 inches deep and tamp it. Next, build two rows of cinder block and add a layer of gravel between each row. Then, lay down the grid base with rebar and put your next layer of cinder blocks on top. Finish by backfilling with dirt or tamping the first couple feet of dirt against the wall. Watch this video to find out more about building a retaining wall with cinder block and rebar.
Your retaining wall will need to be strong enough to hold back the earth behind it. You can make it stronger by adding steel rebar pins vertically through the holes in the blocks.
- You will need to add steel rebar pins vertically through the holes in your blocks. These pins are made of steel and are inserted vertically through the holes in each block, which you can then secure in place with tie wire. The tie wire is wrapped around the end of each pin and secured using a wire crimping tool or pliers.
Wrap tie wire around one end of a piece of rebar and stick it through one of the holes in your cinder blocks.
You can use tie wire to secure your rebar. Tie wire consists of a length of strong, flexible steel wire that’s braided into a figure-eight shape with loops at each end. To secure your rebar pins and blocks with tie wire:
- Wrap one end of the tie wire around one end of your piece of rebar and stick it through one of the holes in your cinder block.
- Pull both ends until you feel resistance from the braid wrapping around itself on both sides; then pull more until the braid is tight against all four sides (see Figure 2).
Then twist the end of the wire around itself to secure it in place. Don’t worry if you can’t get it twisted tight enough to stay in place. The mortar mix will hold it together as well.
You can get tie wire at most hardware stores. It’s easy to use, cheap, strong and flexible. It’s also durable enough that you won’t have to worry about it breaking when you’re working with it. Tie wire is a good choice for this project because you will be using it to hold together other materials in your wall that might not be as strong as the cinder blocks themselves (the rebar). Tie wire is also easy to store in small spaces because of its flexibility and small size—you can just roll up any extra wire on top of itself without needing to find another container for storage purposes.
Repeat this process so that you have a piece of rebar extending from each hole in your block.
Repeat this process so that you have a piece of rebar extending from each hole in your block. Then, make sure to place the pins vertically and spread them evenly across the wall. The last thing you want to do is create a weak spot in your retaining wall by having one side of it built with more or less rebar than the other side.
Make sure not to forget any holes because they will weaken your structure if left unsecured by rebar pins or concrete.
Then begin assembling your wall using the same method you used before, but pressing the rebar pins into the mortar at each junction between blocks as you go along.
Now that you’ve got your cinder blocks in place and all of the mortar has had a chance to cure, it’s time to reinforce the wall with rebar pins.
At each junction between two blocks, drive a rebar pin into the mortar by hand. You’ll want to avoid using too much force here—you don’t want to break through the block or crack any of its edges. Be careful not to push too high up on the pin (if it reaches above surface level), as this will make your walls weaker instead of stronger.
It’s also important not to put a pin directly across from another if you can help it: this could cause undue stress on one side or another as well as create dangerous tripping hazards for anyone who walks by later on down the road!
NOTE: You’ll want to plan ahead so that your rebar pins are spread out evenly across your wall and don’t all clump together at the top or the bottom or on one side or another. It’s best if they’re distributed evenly throughout its height.
You’ll want to plan ahead so that your rebar pins are spread out evenly across your wall and don’t all clump together at the top or the bottom or on one side or another. It’s best if they’re distributed evenly throughout its height.
It should go without saying that you’ll want to be sure your rebar is positioned vertically in your cinder block retaining wall, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. Because it’s difficult to see what’s going on inside concrete blocks when you’re standing at ground level, I like to lay out my blocks first and then mark where each of my rebar pins will go with a Sharpie marker before I begin mixing mortar (which will cover up the marks). This way I can make sure all my verticals are straight when I’m building up my wall from below later on.
Make sure you use rebar in places where you’re concerned about strength
To ensure that your wall will be strong and sturdy, use rebar where you need extra strength. Make sure that your blocks are level and straight, square, plumb and aligned. Also make sure they are evenly spaced.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you are now ready to start building your retaining wall! Using the ideas and tips in this post, you will be able to create a sturdy and beautiful structure that will enhance the landscape of your yard. Here is a quick summary of what was covered in this post:
Section: Start by excavating the area where you plan on installing your wall using the right tools for digging
Section: Next, lay down foundation slabs (also known as footings) at every corner point of your wall before starting construction
Section: The next step is to prepare re-bar rods with hooks facing up into concrete or cinder blocks halfway up each hole. This process helps attach masonry units together during assembly which reduces damage over time due to weather conditions like rainstorms but also creates more secure connections between materials than just using mortar alone would provide for an overall tighter look when installed on site.
Section: Then use masonry adhesive between bricks before placing them into holes drilled into base material such as soil; this ensures good contact within both layers so they form a solid unit capable withstanding loads from above ground level without cracking under pressure because there will be no gaps left once drywall has been applied later during finishing phase after leveling out uneven areas first by filling any voids created when cutting through top layer due being cut too deep
Section: Finally apply enough mortar around sides and tops before inserting rebar hooks again if necessary (reinforcing bars) using hammer drill make sure they’re flush against block edges then hammer in place securely with steel rebounding nail until it’s completely secure without wobbling or slipping out if necessary add more support beams nearby while working so weight stress doesn’t affect finished product’s integrity
Takeaway: Building retaining walls can be challenging work but it doesn’t have to be hard. With the proper tools and materials, you are good to go.
