Framing A Concrete Retaining Wall
With the popularity of slab foundations many do it yourself renovators face the task of anchoring wall framing to concrete.
Framing a concrete retaining wall. Do choose a material you can easily work with. Note that this requirement is only for exterior walls as these may wick moisture onto the lumber. Pouring a concrete retaining wall is not that difficult and this easy to follow how to guide will show you just what to do. Perry mastrovito design pics getty images.
A poured wall is much stronger and generally last many more years than a block wall. If you want to build a concrete retaining wall you should consider pouring the wall rather than making it out of concrete blocks. Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding. Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.
When installed properly concrete offers much more room for customization than any other retaining wall material. Retaining walls can be constructed using a variety of materials from poured concrete and large timbers to natural stones even bricks. Whether you need a wall as a property marker a support structure or to hold back soil or water you can make one by building wood frames called forms. Poured concrete retaining walls can be colored textured accented with embedded objects and much more.
A concrete block retaining wall is the perfect solution to control erosion to eliminate a hard to mow slope to add a planting bed or to level an ideal patio area. With simple materials and readily available tools the novice carpenter can lay out build and anchor walls on concrete. Interior walls are within a climate controlled environment and are presumed to be free of moisture. Concrete blocks are ideal for building walls to hold back the soil after you dig into a slope for a pathway patio or another landscaping project block retaining walls are generally the same as freestanding block walls but with a few important differences.
When doing your own concrete work knowing how to form a homemade concrete wall is an essential skill. Pressure treated wood is required whenever you attach framing lumber or furring strips directly to concrete or other exterior masonry walls below grade. A concrete wall needs to be built on top of a concrete footer in order to be stable. These systems are easy to install durable reasonably priced and available in a variety of colors and textures.
If the form is constructed incorrectly the concrete can blow out the form breaking it apart and creating an enormous mess while wasting much of your money. The interlocking retaining wall block can be used to build walls up to 24 to 36 inches high depending on the size of the block.