Can You Build A Retaining Wall On Concrete? [Plus How-To Tips]

Are you considering building a retaining wall for your landscape painting ? Do you already have a concrete slab in place ? If so , you are likely enquire if you could utilise the slab as a cornerstone for your retain wall . We did some digging and found the best answer to this doubt . See our finding below .

While you may construct a retaining bulwark on concrete , it is n’t that straight . If you have an existing concrete base , you’re able to not just build your bulwark on top of it . Without being ensure into the concrete , your wall will slide due to the soil imperativeness against the rampart . However , you could pelt your own concrete foundation or habituate a air hammer to make a ditch along the sides of the existing concrete foundation .

Now that you know the basic reply , it ’s time to learn how to build your retaining wall on top of concrete . Keep reading to learn what materials you should habituate for the rampart , the best foundation material , and much more .

Can You Build a Retaining Wall on Concrete?

A retaining wall is used in landscape gardening to contain back the soil . It grant the soil behind the wall to be taller than the layer on the opposite side of the rampart . Because the soil gets heavy , the wall must be effectual and right built . Otherwise , the weight of the dirt pushing against the wall will make it to pitch or break .

Existing Concrete Slab

While you could progress a keep back rampart on an exist concrete slab , you must first make some adjustments . Never place your wall directly onto the concrete . Doing so will result in a paries that shift across the cornerstone . It will also break or fall with clip .

Instead , you will need to find the desired location for the wall . Using a pneumatic hammer , break up that department of concrete , make a deep . Remove the concrete pieces . Now , use a monotonous bottomed excavator , and dig out the oceanic abyss . It needs to be deep enough to go through at least two bed of territory . Once you have your deep , you ’ll pack it with a mixture of sand and small slice of gravel .

Choosing Your Foundation

Now that you have your ditch for the wall , you must choose the material for your fundament . Many people use a mixing of George Sand and gravel .

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Concrete is also a good option .

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Here , we will walk you through the step to building a retaining wall with a foundation of moxie and gravel . The wall itself will be made up of Lucy Stone pavers . Make certain you get approximative pore alternatively of soft pore . you’re able to typically find them at Home Depot and Lowe ’s .

Before pack the ditch , place a bed of landscape gardening fabric over the soil . verify to select a thick cloth that will carry up well . This will reserve the foundation assortment to absorb water while the textile prevents it from hook into the soil , stimulate erosion . As long as you have a expert ditch system , the water supply will drain away from the bulwark .

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Once your cloth is in place , it ’s clock time to put down the foundation . Mix the sand and Isidor Feinstein Stone with weewee , packing it into the oceanic abyss . Using a even out tool , ensure the wall and base are level .

Take your Stone one by one , placing them on the base . Now , expend a sledgehammer to pound them compressed into piazza . When properly poke and level , the sand and crushed rock mixing will playact as a foundation for your rampart .

The bottom level should be just below the Gunter Wilhelm Grass line . The tough part is behind you . It ’s prison term to heap the remaining stones in rows on top of the bottom layer . When placing the remaining Harlan F. Stone , do n’t stack them evenly . rather , line the middle of your stone directly above the line where the two inherent gem meet . This will give it a staggered expression .

Apply a thin layer of landscape gardening adhesive to the bottom brick . Take care to localize the top I. F. Stone down exactly where you want it , fight it firmly into place . Avoid setting it down and sliding it over . Keep stack until your wall is eminent enough for your particular needs .

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If you prefer to use a concrete institution , the process is a bit different . After you reveal away a section of the live concrete slab and labor your oceanic abyss , you will place two horizontal quarrel of rebar all the way along the ditch , tying the ends together . pock your place every 32 inches .

You ’ll insert a 2d set of rebar vertically between the clinker blocks every 32 inches . Using a flex tool , create a 6 - in bend dexter at one end of each of the erect rod .

Take one rod and place the curve underneath the horizontal saloon at the first 32 - inch mark . Do this with each piece of rebar , rotating the organ pipe so one bent end faces in while the other faces out . Tie the erect retinal rod to the horizontal rods .

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Now it ’s fourth dimension to decant your concrete mix on top of the rebar . Once that is done , take your cinder blocks and begin placing them , one by one , on top of the wet concrete .

check that to slip the vertical rebar through the holes of the clinker blocks . localize a thin layer of mortar on the base blocking , press the next closure on top . Continue stacking in this fashion until your wall is a suitable height .

As you go , chuck out the supererogatory dirt over the plastered concrete along the edges of the blocks , packing it down . This will get rid of lumps and help the mixture cure faster . stream howitzer inside the gob of the clinker stop as you go . Once you reach the last row , after filling the gob with howitzer , spread out a thin layer of concrete over the top , and smoothen it out .

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If you do not have an existing concrete slab , you may produce your own . You will use the same steps we outlined for building a cinder auction block bulwark with a concrete foundation . Once you finish those steps and your wall is ready , you will produce your concrete slab .

verify the desired area is flat . Pour your concrete mix , and smooth it out . The edge of the slab should run along up with the cylinder block rampart . Once it is legato , let it dry for at least 24 hour before walking on it . It should be completely bring around within or so 30 day .

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should a concrete retaining wall be?

There is no set depth when build a concrete retaining wall . However , you should make certain you comprehend through at least two layers of stain . If you prefer , you’re able to make the ditch deeper .

What is the best base for retaining walls?

The best base for retaining walls is concrete or a mixture of gravel and Baroness Dudevant . These materials produce a strong base that will last for many years if installed properly .

Do retaining walls need rebar?

Not all retaining wall postulate rebar . If you are install a paries made of clinker blocks , you should post rebar along the bottom of the ditch as well as vertically through the holes of the blocks every 32 inch . However , if you are using stone pavers or other materials , there is no need for rebar .

How do you keep a concrete retaining wall from leaning?

If your concrete retaining wall is not built decent , it will get down to be given and slide across the slab . To prevent this from happening , make trusted to properly adhere your wall together with either howitzer or landscape gardening adhesive .

to boot , you ’ll need to ensure that your base is strong and able to withstand pressure from the soil . The base should not be even with the grass or dirt . Instead , it should be slightly below , keeping the blocks or stones from shift .

In Closing

Whether you ’re quick to build your own retaining bulwark or are ready to have a contractor work up one for you , it ’s crucial to know the exact location where you want your retaining wall situated .

For more tips about retaining walls , check out these other posts on our web log . Do n’t forget to come back for all your questions about gardening !

How to Stop Erosion Around a Retaining Wall

How to Integrate a Vertical Garden Into a Retaining Wall