Table of Contents
Can cinder blocks be used for retaining wall?
A cinder block retaining wall is only as straight and solid as the base it’s built on. For a 4-ft. tall wall, excavate a trench deep enough to accommodate 4 to 6 in. “cap” of native soil to help keep surface water from entering the rock-filled trench.
Do cinder block walls need rebar?
Steel reinforcing bar — rebar — is used in concrete construction to add strength. Concrete block shares this condition. A concrete block wall will support heavy weights above, but it needs reinforcing against pressure that would cause it to bend, such as earth backfill in a basement.
How tall can a cinder block retaining wall be?
Most retaining walls, whether load-bearing or not, average between 3 and 4 feet in height. As a general rule, you do not want to build any sort of structure over 4 feet in height without including some type of structural support within.
Should you fill cinder blocks with concrete?
Whenever you are working with cinder block, you can strengthen them significantly by filling them with concrete. This is something that is not difficult to do and will strengthen your cinder blocks quite a bit. You may also find that if you have cinder blocks that are cracked, concrete can help.
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
These walls need a drainage system regardless of the wall height. If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.
How much does it cost to build a cinder block retaining wall?
A cinder block retaining wall costs around $10 to $12 per square foot. The average concrete retaining wall costs between $20 to $30 per square foot for interlocking blocks, or $30 to $40 per square foot for poured concrete. A natural stone retaining wall costs between $27 and $35 per square foot.
Can you build a retaining wall on a slope?
DO stack blocks at a slight backward slope. Design and build your retaining wall to slope at a minimum rate of one inch for every one-foot of rise (height). Fortunately, working with retaining wall blocks makes it incredibly easy to achieve this “step-back” construction!.
Can you build a wall on a slope?
For a wall being built on a steep hill, you may find a shorter working distance is easier, while a wall being built on a gentle slope can use a longer working distance. For every 8 in. Start constructing your base course by measuring off the working line the distance shown in Table 1 for one block height.
How far apart is rebar in concrete walls?
Rebar Placement in Walls Rebar is placed horizontally and vertically in the wall, in a grid pattern. As a minimum, #4 rebar (1/2 inch) is spaced vertically at 36 inches on center, continued to within 8 inches of the top of the wall, placed on the tension side — the inside face — of the wall.
How thick does a retaining wall need to be?
Base width = 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the wall. Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches. Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.
How deep should a footing be for a retaining wall?
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.
How many bags of concrete does it take to fill a cinder block?
Fill Volume for Various Block Wall Thicknesses Block Wall Thickness Blocks Filled per Cubic Yard Concrete/Grout per 100 Block 6″ 120 .83 yd 3 8″ 100 1.0 yd 3 10″ 80 1.23 yd 3 12″ 65 1.54 yd 3.
What kind of concrete do you use to fill cinder blocks?
For cinder-block walls (and brick walls too), choose QUIKRETE® Mason Mix Type S. Forgiving to those who are not experts in masonry projects, the QUIKRETE® preblended mix remains workable for a long period of time, with no sacrifice of the high-bond strength that yields a successful project.
Is cinder block cheaper than concrete?
Cinder blocks require less special equipment to put in place than poured concrete, and are easier to lay yourself. According to the National Association of Home Builders, conventional 8-inch concrete cinder blocks cost around $1.46 per square foot of foundation before installation.
What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?
What Is the Cheapest Type of Retaining Wall? The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
How do you build a wood retaining wall on a slope?
Materials. (4) two-by-six pressure-treated lumber boards, each 8 feet long. Cut Back the Slope. With your shovel, dig about 2 feet back into the slope. Mark the Other Post Locations. Dig the Post Holes. Add the Gravel to the Holes. Pour the Concrete. Add Gravel Under the Wall Location. Install the Boards.
How much does a 100 foot retaining wall cost?
Retaining block walls will cost $16 per square foot for the average professional installation. That’s $1,600 for a 100 square foot retaining wall—basic, with no extras and under four feet.
How many hours does it take to build a retaining wall?
Plan on about three days to build a wall 4 feet tall by 15 feet long. Cost: $10 to $15 per square face foot installed, depending on your region—higher if extensive excavation, soil prep, and backfilling are needed.
