Installing a brick retaining wall is an easy home improvement project that can be done in one day. You’ll need to prepare the area before you start digging, as well as have some basic tools on hand.
Installing a brick retaining wall is a great way to increase the value of your property. In this article, you’ll learn how to install a brick retaining wall so that you can keep erosion at bay or better section off your yard for enhanced privacy and aesthetic appeal.
Planning is important to a successful retaining wall project.
Planning is important to a successful retaining wall project. To ensure that your project runs smoothly, it’s best to have a plan in place before you start building. You’ll need to know how much material you will need and also how many bricks you will need for each course of the wall. In addition, it’s important to know the dimensions of your wall before beginning any construction work.
You’ll also want to figure out how many bricks per course, as well as the type of mortar needed for use with each course (usually concrete).
Check the local building codes for setback and height requirements.
Before you start, check the local building codes for setback and height requirements. You’ll also want to check with your local zoning ordinances for any other requirements. It’s a good idea to check with your local building department as well, as they may have additional information on where retaining walls can be installed and how much space is required between the wall and property lines. Additionally, it could be helpful to talk with a landscape architect or contractor that has experience in constructing retaining walls around your area so they can provide insight into what materials are best used in construction and maintenance of these types of structures.
Check the stability of your soil.
The first step in installing a brick retaining wall is to check the stability of your soil. Examine your lawn or garden bed for signs of erosion, uneven ground, soft or hard soil and compaction. An erosion control system may be required if you have loose sandy soil or areas where water drains away quickly; otherwise, it’s important to make sure that any grading work you do will not destabilize your existing grade (or slope) by creating new potholes or gulleys during construction.
Decide how you want to build your retaining wall.
Deciding on a retaining wall style can be difficult. There are several options available for building a retaining wall, including masonry retaining walls, block retaining walls, concrete retaining walls and timber or stone retaining walls. A brick retaining wall is one of the best choices for homeowners because it’s easy to install and readily available at most home improvement stores.
You’ll need:
- A level surface where you want to build your brick wall
- Bricks that fit together easily (and in the right way)
Lay out the first course of bricks for your retaining wall.
First, make sure that you have a level surface to work with. It’s important that your first course of bricks is placed perfectly straight, so it’s best to start with a flat surface.
Next, check to make sure your bricks are spaced evenly and plumb (this means they’re perpendicular to the ground). You can use a spirit level or bubble level to check this—and if you don’t have either of these handy, just eyeball it!
Then make sure each brick is square and level with the top of the first course of bricks before placing another one on top. If there isn’t enough room between courses for proper drainage flow behind one part or another then this will cause problems down the line when water starts collecting in those areas instead of draining away properly through joints between each individual layer.
Place bricks in a bed of mortar.
- Use a trowel to spread the mortar on the wall, laying bricks in one at a time.
- Level them with a brick and push down firmly until they’re flush with the wall surface. It’s important to note that if you choose to use only mortar without any stone or gravel between your bricks, you’ll need to make sure that your brick is perfectly level before applying any form of pressure so as not to risk damaging it later on or cracking it in half accidentally when building higher structures in this manner!
- Use another brick as a smoothing tool, running it along where each brick meets another so there aren’t any gaps between each piece of masonry (aka “grout”). This step may take some time depending on how many bricks are being laid out per row–but keep going until all surfaces are smooth!
Build your second course of bricks on top of your first course
After you’ve built your first course of bricks, it’s time to build your second. Use the same pattern as your first course, or use a different one if you’d like. Make sure that all of the bricks are level with each other, and use a level to check them if necessary. Use a trowel to spread mortar in between each brick before placing it on top of the first layer.
A well-constructed brick retaining wall can be an attractive and functional addition to any landscape.
A well-constructed brick retaining wall can be an attractive and functional addition to any landscape. A brick retaining wall is a great way to create usable space in your yard, add value to your property, and provides countless possibilities for creative design.
Retaining walls are made from many different materials, but the most common choices include wood or concrete block. The construction of a wood-framed retaining wall is similar to that of a traditional frame house: boards are nailed together horizontally across the baseboards before being filled with dirt and topped with stone or concrete blocks. Concrete block walls are made by stacking pre made pieces of stone atop one another until they reach the desired height (about 8 feet). Because these blocks are typically manufactured in standard sizes (4x8x16 inches), extra support can be built into them if necessary—this helps prevent sagging over time due to heavy loads placed upon it manually or by nature (e.g., water runoff).
Conclusion
And that’s how to install a brick retaining wall! It may seem like a lot at first, but with some basic tools and the right materials, you can do it yourself. If you have any questions or would like more information about our services, please contact us or give us a call. We look forward to hearing from you soon
