A corner is a great way to add more design and interest to your retaining wall. It’s also a great way to make sure that the wall is stable and safe. Retaining wall blocks are an excellent option for making corners in your retaining wall. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. In this article we will discuss how to make a corner using retaining wall blocks.
Make a curve of blocks to match the curve of the curved retaining wall by:
Making sure the first block is completely straight.
Using pavers or bricks on the outside edge of each block so you have a nice clean curve.
Making sure to add some mortar in between each block as you stack them up so they stay stable.
Tools and Materials
- Tools and Materials
- Shovel
- Bricklayer’s trowel (optional)
- Mason’s line, level, and water bucket. This can be substituted by any other mason’s tools such as a steel level or an angle square. If you don’t have the right gear for this job, it’s best to find someone who does!
- Bricks in various sizes depending on the size of block walls you will be building. Four-by-four and eight-by-eights are common sizes used for retaining walls that require fewer mortar joints between them so as to create a smoother look at their edges when finished on top with grasses or rock edging. You’ll also need mortar mix to bond each brick together into one solid structure; we recommend using only natural sand instead of manufactured materials because it has less chemicals which might affect how well your wall holds up over time.”
Remove Existing Dirt
To begin, you’ll need to remove any existing dirt. Removing this dirt will make it easier for you to lay your retaining wall blocks and will also allow you to get a more accurate measurement of how much material is required for your project.
Once the dirt has been removed, make sure that there are no roots from trees or shrubs present in the area where you plan on building your retaining wall. Roots can be an issue when constructing a retaining wall because they can interfere with its stability and cause it to crumble over time. You may also want to consider removing any weeds or grass growing near where you’re planning on building as well; these plants will likely grow back where they were previously located once construction is complete, but if they’re out at first then there won’t be as much work later on!
Level the Base
The first step in building the retaining wall is to level the base. This is important because it ensures that when you place the blocks on top of it, they will be straight and not lean over to one side or another. To get started, measure out four feet from each corner of your garage door frame and set a level along that line so that it extends past both ends by about three inches (the width of your block).
Once you’ve done this for all four corners, check to see if any spots need adjusting so that they are level with each other. You can do this by using a spirit level or simply eyeballing whether they look even (you don’t want anything more than 1/8″ difference between them). If there is some unevenness, adjust one side until everything looks even again then set down stakes around those areas so you know where not to build upon if needed later on down the road during construction
Start Corner Block Layout
Before you start, make sure the first block is level, straight and plumb. If it isn’t level, use a trowel to add more mortar mix to help correct this. It should be as close to level as possible before you place it in your wall because once it’s down it will be difficult to adjust.
You can also use a spirit level or laser level tool if you have one available. These tools make the job easier but they are not absolutely necessary if you don’t have them handy!
Continue Laying Blocks
Now that you have your first row of blocks laid, it’s time to continue laying more blocks.
Your next row of blocks should be stacked on top of the first. To do this, place them so that one of their narrow sides is resting against the edge where your first row meets another surface. Then lay a second layer atop this so that its edges match up with those from the previous course. If needed, use a straight edge like a level or ruler to make sure all four edges are even with each other and parallel to each other (not leaning towards one side or another).
Use these same techniques for every subsequent layer until you reach your desired height! Make sure not to overlap any courses; if necessary, space them out just slightly so they don’t touch when you stack them together in an alternating pattern: A-A-B-A-B etcetera until it reaches around seven feet high depending on how much drainage space you want at each end.”
Add Caps and Fill with Dirt
- Use a level to make sure the retaining wall is straight.
- Fill the dirt in the corner with a shovel or garden rake to make it level with the rest of the wall. The top should be even with the top of your existing retaining walls, but you can adjust this as needed later on if your soil isn’t quite as high as you would like it to be (you may have had to dig deeper).
- Check that everything is straight again and then fill in any gaps between blocks with more dirt and pack it down tightly so no air pockets remain. If necessary, add more blocks along each side until they’re all even again; then repeat steps one through four until there are no gaps between blocks from top to bottom anymore!
Corners are a major structural part of a retaining wall. Here’s how to create one that’ll last.
Corners are a major structural part of a retaining wall, so they need to be strong and durable. They also need to be level, straight and built with the right materials. This can make building them more complex than building other parts of your wall.
- Before you start building your corner, decide whether you’re going to build it using concrete blocks or using precast concrete corners. Each type has its own advantages and drawbacks:
- Concrete blocks are easier to install because they’re lighter than precast corners, but they cost more per block (as well as being harder to find).
- Precast corners hold up better under pressure from water because their joints are reinforced with steel rebar inside each block (or “rebar”), but the rebar can rust over time if not properly sealed when installed.
Conclusion
And, with everything finished, your corner should be ready to go. It’s a fun DIY project that will add some beautification and functionality to your home.
