Best Way to Build a Retaining Wall
Retaining walls can be both beautiful and functional. If built right, they can provide a decorative touch to your landscape, while still protecting your soil from wind a erosion. Retaining walls can be built using all sorts of different materials. One of the easiest and best types of materials to build a retaining with, is bricks.
Items needed:
- Rake
- Gravel
- Bricks
- Shovel
- Measuring tape
- Mortar
- Concrete
- Hammer
Step 1: Clear the spot where you are building the retaining wall. There should not be any trees or large bushes growing in the area. If there are trees growing in the area, you may need to remove them or pick a different spot. Use a rake to remove any leaves, vines or weeds that are growing in the area.
Step 2: Measure the area where you are building the retaining wall. Measure the length, width and height of the wall. When you order bricks, you need to know these measurements so you can calculate how many bricks to purchase. Mark the measure area off using string and small sticks. Simply hammer a stick into the ground at each corner of the measured area. Run a string from one corner to another and repeat until the string outlines the desired shape of the area.
Step 3: Use a shovel to dig a one-foot deep ditch the entire length and width of the wall. The ditch should cover the entire area that you marked off in step two. This help keeps your wall stable and prevents it from leaning or falling over.
Step 4: Call your local brick supplier and order the amount of bricks to build your retaining wall. Some brick suppliers may deliver the bricks to your home for a small fee. If not, you need to arrange a time to pick the bricks up with a pickup truck.
Step 5: Place the first layer of brick on the ground in the designated area. Be sure to fill the area between the bricks with mortar. Continue adding layers of bricks and mortar until you have completed your retaining wall. If your bricks have holes in the middle of them, pour concrete in the holes at each layer. Wait for the concrete and mortar to dry and enjoy your retaining wall.