Table of Contents
How thick should a poured concrete retaining wall 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.
What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?
What is the cheapest retaining wall material? Treated pine and is the least expensive material. Hardwood is more expensive than treated pine. Railway sleepers are another – slightly more expensive – option and are built to withstand ground and water contact. Concrete sleepers are more expensive.
Can I do a retaining wall myself?
Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it’s best to use concrete retaining wall blocks, which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive. Plan to build your wall after a long period without rain, when the soil is dry.
How deep should footings be for a retaining wall?
All footings should be a minimum of 150mm (6″) in depth, with the bottom 350 – 400mm (14-16″) below ground level on most soils. For clay soil however, thicker and deeper footings should be used.
Are poured concrete walls cheaper than block?
Is a poured concrete foundation cheaper than a block wall foundation? Usually, the cost of construction varies from place to place. But as a matter of fact, poured walls cost about 20% less than the block foundation walls.
How thick should a 3 foot retaining wall be?
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.
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.
Do retaining walls need rebar?
A retaining wall must provide a way to release the water that builds up in the slope behind it. Retaining walls must be stronger than freestanding walls. Insert rebar in the footing when you pour it; this should be done at every three blocks or at intervals specified by your local codes.
What are the cheapest retaining wall blocks?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are ones made of wood and concrete blocks. It is the cost of the material that makes building one inexpensive or expensive. The cheapest design to DIY is one made of treated pine.
What is the easiest retaining wall to build?
For the average do-it-yourselfer, building a retaining wall is easiest when using masonry blocks that will be stacked no taller than three feet, with no mortar binding the stones or concrete members.
What can I use instead of a retaining wall?
Reinforced Soil Slopes. Natural Stone Walls. Wooden Timbers. Gabion Walls. Soil Bioengineered Walls.
How much should I charge to build a retaining wall?
On average, building a retaining wall costs $23 per square foot. For the more budget-conscious, retaining wall prices average at $19 per square foot. On the upper end, retaining wall costs are around $50 per square foot.
Do I need a concrete footing for a retaining wall?
No, you do not need a concrete footing, it will actually adhere the wall from being able to naturally shift. It is best to use a coarse stone aggregate for the Retaining Wall footing.
Are poured concrete walls better than block?
Traditional Poured Concrete Wall Foundations. Structural foundations are the backbone of every new building, which is why it’s critical to make sure that they are done right.
How much do poured concrete walls cost?
A poured concrete wall averages $6,903 for homeowners around the country, with most people paying between $2,776 and $11,628. You might pay anywhere from $932 to $25,000 depending on the size, materials, design and overall labor.
Are concrete walls expensive?
Concrete homes are typically more expensive to build than conventional homes, but they’re less expensive to maintain and more durable over time. Concrete affects the bottom line in other ways, lowering heating and cooling costs and even insurance premiums.
Do all retaining walls need weep holes?
Although there are exceptions, most retaining walls require gravel backfill, soil compaction, pipe or toe drains, and weep holes. Together, these four features will provide adequate drainage for most designs. Only a few types of walls will not require all of them.
Does a 4 foot retaining wall need drainage?
Any reinforced wall or walls over 4 ft. (1.2 m) in height or with slopes or other surcharges above the wall will need a toe drain. In all cases wall rock is located within the cores of the block and a minimum of 12 in. (300 mm) behind the block.
How many retaining wall blocks come on a pallet?
D Victorian Concrete Retaining Wall Block Pallet (48-Piece/36 Face ft./Pallet).
How much do stone blocks cost?
Cost: About $10 to $12 for cinder block; for brick and stone, around $20 to $25 per square face foot (double that figure for a two-sided wall).
How many blocks are on a pallet?
Standard Green Hollow Block (96/Pallet).
How long will a pressure treated retaining wall last?
Although today’s traditional pressure treatments will leach out copper, this process is slow and is lessened with proper drainage design. If you build a retaining wall properly out of long lasting materials, the wall will last at least 20 years. Eco safe treatments will last closer to 10 years in the same application.
Do concrete bag retaining walls last?
Building this type of retaining wall is as simple as stacking concrete bags like Legos and wetting them down with a hose. As time goes on, the concrete bags will biodegrade, resulting in a permanent, sophisticated retaining wall.
