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

Are you regard building a retaining wall for your landscape painting ? Do you already have a concrete slab in place ? If so , you are probably wondering if you’re able to use the slab as a base for your retain wall . We did some dig and obtain the expert solvent to this interrogation . See our findings below .

While you’re able to build a retaining paries on concrete , it is n’t that straightforward . If you have an exist concrete base , you’re able to not just build your wall on top of it . Without being secured into the concrete , your rampart will slide due to the soil insistence against the wall . However , you’re able to pour your own concrete foundation garment or use a pneumatic hammer to create a ditch along the sides of the existing concrete foundation .

Now that you know the introductory answer , it ’s meter to learn how to build your retaining wall on top of concrete . Keep scan to learn what materials you should expend for the wall , the best foundation material , and much more .

Can You Build a Retaining Wall on Concrete?

A retaining bulwark is used in landscaping to hold back the soil . It allows the grease behind the wall to be taller than the layers on the diametric side of the wall . Because the soil gets heavy , the rampart must be good and properly progress . Otherwise , the weight of the dirt crowd against the wall will cause it to reposition or fall in .

Existing Concrete Slab

While you may build a retaining wall on an existing concrete slab , you must first make some adjustments . Never pose your wall direct onto the concrete . Doing so will result in a wall that shifts across the foundation . It will also bust or fall with time .

or else , you will need to discover the desired localisation for the rampart . Using a jackhammer , break up that section of concrete , creating a deep . Remove the concrete slice . Now , use a matted bottomed shovel , and drudge out the oceanic abyss . It needs to be deep enough to go through at least two layers of soil . Once you have your trench , you ’ll pack it with a mixture of sand and small pieces of crushed rock .

Choosing Your Foundation

Now that you have your ditch for the rampart , you must choose the material for your foundation . Many masses practice a mixture of sand and gravel .

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Concrete is also a good option .

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Here , we will take the air you through the steps to building a keep on wall with a foundation of grit and gravel . The paries itself will be made up of stone pavers . verify you get gravelly stoma instead of easy pore . you could typically feel them at Home Depot and Lowe ’s .

Before mob the ditch , place a layer of landscape gardening cloth over the filth . ensure to choose a fatheaded cloth that will contain up well . This will allow the foundation mixture to suck water while the cloth prevents it from soaking into the soil , cause wearing . As long as you have a good ditch system , the body of water will drain forth from the wall .

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Once your fabric is in position , it ’s time to lie down the grounding . Mix the sand and stone with piss , packing it into the deep . Using a leveling tool , ensure the rampart and base are level .

Take your stones one by one , placing them on the base . Now , use a sledge to pound them flat into place . When properly pounded and level , the sand and gravel mix will act as a foundation for your bulwark .

The bottom level should be just below the grass line . The hard part is behind you . It ’s time to stack the remaining gem in course on top of the bottom level . When placing the remaining stones , do n’t stack them evenly . Instead , run along the center of your Harlan Fisk Stone directly above the line where the two underlying stones meet . This will give it a staggered look .

Apply a lean layer of landscaping adhesive to the bottom brick . Take care to arrange the top stone down exactly where you want it , press it firmly into place . annul setting it down and sliding it over . Keep stacking until your wall is high enough for your particular needs .

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For a ocular guide , watch this YouTube video :

If you prefer to use a concrete substructure , the process is a bit different . After you give away a discussion section of the exist concrete slab and labor your trench , you will lie two horizontal rows of rebar all the room along the ditch , tying the ends together . Mark your berth every 32 inch .

You ’ll put in a 2nd solidifying of rebar vertically between the cinder blocks every 32 inches . Using a turn away peter , produce a 6 - column inch fold at one final stage of each of the erect retinal rod .

Take one pole and place the crease underneath the horizontal stripe at the first 32 - inch cross . Do this with each small-arm of rebar , rotate the pipework so one bent terminal confront in while the other confront out . connect the upright rods to the horizontal rod cell .

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Now it ’s metre to stream your concrete mix on top of the rebar . Once that is done , take your clinker blocks and begin order them , one by one , on top of the wet concrete .

check that to slide the perpendicular rebar through the holes of the cinder block . Place a slender layer of mortar on the cornerstone auction block , pressing the next block on top . go along pile in this manner until your wall is a worthy height .

As you go , thresh about the supernumerary dirt over the wet concrete along the edge of the blocks , packing it down . This will get rid of lumps and aid the mixed bag remedy faster . Pour howitzer inside the holes of the clinker blocks as you go . Once you reach the last row , after filling the holes with howitzer , spread a sparse bed of concrete over the top , and polish it out .

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If you do not have an existing concrete slab , you could create your own . You will use the same footstep we adumbrate for build a clinker block wall with a concrete foundation . Once you end those step and your wall is quick , you will make your concrete slab .

Make certain the desired area is plane . Pour your concrete mix , and smooth it out . The edge of the slab should line up with the block bulwark . Once it is fluid , let it dry for at least 24 hours before walking on it . It should be completely cured within approximately 30 twenty-four hours .

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep should a concrete retaining wall be?

There is no set deepness when building a concrete retaining wall . However , you should ensure you labor through at least two bed of soil . If you prefer , you could make the ditch deeply .

What is the best base for retaining walls?

The best base for retaining walls is concrete or a mixture of crushed rock and Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . These materials create a strong introduction that will last for many year if set up properly .

Do retaining walls need rebar?

Not all retaining walls postulate rebar . If you are install a wall made of cinder block , you should come out rebar along the bottom of the ditch as well as vertically through the holes of the block every 32 inches . However , if you are using stone pavers or other materials , there is no demand for rebar .

How do you keep a concrete retaining wall from leaning?

If your concrete retaining wall is not build properly , it will set about to tip and slip across the slab . To prevent this from happening , verify to in good order stick your wall together with either mortar or landscape gardening adhesive .

to boot , you ’ll need to control that your base of operations is strong and able-bodied to withstand pressing from the filth . The Qaeda should not be even with the grass or grease . Instead , it should be more or less below , keeping the blocks or stones from shifting .

In Closing

Whether you ’re ready to build your own keep back wall or are preparing to have a contractile organ work up one for you , it ’s of import to know the accurate locating where you want your retaining wall situated .

For more tips about retaining walls , suss out out these other posts on our web log . Do n’t draw a blank to fall back for all your question about horticulture !

How to Stop Erosion Around a Retaining bulwark

How to mix a Vertical Garden Into a Retaining Wall