A retaining wall is a structure that holds dirt in place. It can be made of concrete, brick, or stone. They are often used to hold back earth and other materials as well as to create a barrier or border between two different areas. They can also be used to help stabilize the slope of land where it meets a building or foundation. Brick retaining walls are popular because they are easy to install and inexpensive to build. They also have a classic look that works well with other architectural elements such as patios and pathways.
Building a brick retaining wall is no small task. It’s a labor-intensive DIY project that needs to be done correctly in order to provide your home with proper curb appeal and the type of strength that gives you peace of mind when it comes to erosion prevention. And although there may be some details unique to your own situation, this guide will provide you with the basic steps necessary for building your own brick retaining wall on your property, so let’s get started.
Step 1. Excavate the site to a depth of 12 inches, allowing 3 inches for a gravel base and 9 inches for the first course of block.
Excavate the site to a depth of 12 inches, allowing 3 inches for gravel base and 9 inches for the first course of block. Measure twice and dig once! Bring along your level. It’s also smart to bring along a shovel.
Step 2. Install pipe behind the first course of block that will carry groundwater that seeps through the wall to a safe area of your yard.
Pipe should be installed behind the first course of block that will carry groundwater that seeps through the wall to a safe area of your yard. It’s best to get this done before you build your wall, as it can be difficult to cut into existing mortar joints after the fact.
If you choose to place pipes in concrete, excavation and trenching are necessary because pipe needs an air space around it for proper drainage. If you have access to an underground water line (such as a sewer line) or another appropriate location for drainage, you may opt for placing pipes within the wall itself rather than installing them outside it—but only do so if those pipes will not be damaged by movement from heavy loads on top of them.
Step 3. Lay a 3-inch thick layer of gravel over the exposed subsoil, tamping it down as you fill your space to make it as even as possible.
In this step, you’ll lay down a 3-inch thick layer of gravel over your exposed subsoil. Gravel is easy to work with and inexpensive, making it an ideal base for brick retaining walls. The gravel will also provide drainage for the wall as well as give it stability.
Step 4. Lay the first course of blocks directly on top of the gravel layer, using a rubber mallet to gently tap them into place.
- Lay the first course of blocks directly on top of the gravel layer, using a rubber mallet to gently tap them into place. You’ll want to make sure that each block is level and even with its neighbors before moving on to the next one. A carpenter’s level can help ensure that each succeeding course of blocks is level, too.
- If you have access to power tools, use them here! This step can be done much faster if you’re using a brick saw or masonry blade for cutting bricks instead of laying them by hand (the latter method will take longer).
Step 5. Fill in any gaps between blocks with soil, spreading it evenly across each space with your hands or a small flat tool like a trowel.
Fill in any gaps between blocks with soil, spreading it evenly across each space with your hands or a small flat tool like a trowel.
As you work to fill in the gaps, be sure to use an even amount of pressure on all sides. If one side of your wall feels more solid than another, consider adding more soil there until it feels level with the rest of the wall.
Step 6. Spread a 1-inch layer of sand over the second layer of block and use a carpenter’s level to ensure that it’s even before continuing on with your project.
Step 6. Spread a 1-inch layer of sand over the second layer of block and use a carpenter’s level to ensure that it’s even before continuing on with your project. The goal here is to create an even base for your retaining wall, so you want the height of each row of brick or stone (block) to be roughly level with one another.
Use a small flat tool like a trowel or putty knife to spread sand evenly across each space between blocks, then fill in any gaps between bricks with soil.
Step 7. Build up additional layers every few days, taking care to stagger end joints by at least eight inches between each row and tamp soil around blocks after each layer is installed and dry mortar has been applied to the top face only.
- Build up additional layers every few days, taking care to stagger end joints by at least eight inches between each row and tamp soil around blocks after each layer is installed and dry mortar has been applied to the top face only.
- After your last layer of bricks, you will need to seal the wall so it’s ready for use. If you don’t plan on using the wall soon, you can wait a year before applying a sealer; however, if you want to create an instant space or plan on using it right away, we recommend applying a sealer as soon as possible after completion of your project.
Step 8. Apply sealer to completed wall 24 hours after you’ve finished construction to help keep it in good shape over time and protect from dirt or water damage if necessary.
- Sealant is a water-based product that is applied to the surface of the wall to help it resist water and dirt damage.
- Apply sealer to completed wall 24 hours after you’ve finished construction to help keep it in good shape over time and protect from dirt or water damage if necessary.
- Use a paintbrush or roller for application.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to tackle a retaining wall as your next building project, we hope this guide helped! It’s fairly basic, but it should give you a good idea of what’s involved. Just remember to start with a plan and get the right materials, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. And once you finish, be sure to take some pictures so that other DIYers can see your hard work.
