Interlocking concrete blocks are beautiful and designed and structured specifically for use in retaining walls.
How many inches of concrete for a retaining wall.
Block walls usually cost 20 30 per square foot which can vary depending on the type of block used concrete block walls can last a lifetime when installed correctly and add beauty to almost any landscape.
Poured concrete is typically the most expensive followed by wood timber and then stones and pavers.
If concrete is not being used to build the footing as is common for drystacked stone walls and very short walls the footing can simply consist of about 6 inches of compacted base material like angular sharp edged gravel.
If you re building a concrete block wall then check out our concrete block calculator.
Planning a retaining wall.
Estimate the retaining wall cost by adding the price per block.
For example you can estimate a 10 wide by 2 high retaining wall and observe the materials required.
Of leveling sand and half the height of the first course of blocks.
Top this with 1 inch of coarse sand or small gravel before constructing the wall proper.
For example if you are pouring a retaining wall that will be 12 inches thick and will use wooden planks that are 1 1 2 inches thick for your forms you ll need to space the stakes about 15 inches apart 12 inches for the retaining wall plus two pieces of 1 1 2 inch thick wooden board.
Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.
Finding how many concrete blocks you need for your project can seem like a confusing and challenging task but it can be simplified using the calculator above.
Cross section of a retaining wall a cinder block retaining wall is only as straight and solid as the base it s built on.
For example if you want the finished height of your retaining wall to be three feet 36 inches tall you d need to dig the trench eight inches deep to accommodate three inches of crushed rock.
Of compacted base 1 in.
How many retaining wall blocks do you need.
Avoid placing the retaining wall where downspouts are pointed to keep standing water from forming inside the wall.
The pieces are the height of the wall plus 36 inches for an overlapping bend in the footer.
Tall wall excavate a trench deep enough to accommodate 4 to 6 in.
Concrete blocks are concrete masonry units or cmus but we often refer to them as concrete blocks or cinder blocks learn more about concrete masonry units a wall typically requires 1 1 8 blocks per square foot.
Before building a retaining wall plan it out.
Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.
How to build a concrete wall figure a.
Mark each piece at 36.