Small Poured Concrete Retaining Wall

A skilled concrete contractor can use textured stamps to create patterns.

Small poured concrete retaining wall.

Of compacted base 1 in. In this photo increte contractors installed a poured in place decorative concrete wall system called stone crete that creates deep relief stone walls with a variety of available textures and colors. If you add too much water the concrete turns a little soupy. If you want to build a concrete retaining wall you should consider pouring the wall rather than making it out of concrete blocks.

Perhaps the finest examples of poured concrete walls can be seen every day along freeways where these structures are constructed on a massive scale. Mix enough concrete to complete the wall all at once. How to build a concrete wall figure a. The depth to the bottom of the base slab should be kept at a minimum of two feet.

Texturizing or stamping poured concrete can also create a unique look for your home. Good concrete has a gray uniform consistency. Poured concrete retaining walls can also be decorative and reproduce the look of stone or masonry. Retaining walls are a specially engineered structures that hold back or retain lateral sections of soil water or other organic materials.

A poured wall is much stronger and generally last many more years than a block wall. Purchase some concrete mix and pour it all into a mixer with a ramp or hose. This simple retaining wall utilizes a beautiful travertine stone cap upgrade. Retaining walls can be constructed using a variety of materials from poured concrete and large timbers to natural stones even bricks.

It s entirely possible to build a retaining wall without reinforcing the concrete though not advised as the reinforcing will allow you to use less material so long as the concrete always works in compression this is how the first concrete dams were built or indeed many roman buildings. Many contractors shy away from poured concrete preferring to use cmu block with a plastered face. Stone crete is used for sound barrier walls retaining walls subdivision entry walls or wherever a beautiful deep relief stone wall is desired. Pouring a concrete retaining wall is not that difficult and this easy to follow how to guide will show you just what to do.

The risk of cracking in poured walls and the difficulty in repairing them makes block and plaster a more forgiving choice. Cross section of a retaining wall a cinder block retaining wall is only as straight and solid as the base it s built on. Add water and stir the concrete according to the manufacturer s instructions. Retaining walls are very helpful in the prevention of erosion as well as preventing the collapse of higher level ground onto a part of your building driveway patio or landscaping area.

For diy purposes opt for manufactured blocks that are. Of leveling sand and half the height of the first course of blocks. Concrete can also be poured into shapes that mimic the look of masonry retaining walls so it appears your wall is actually made up of individual stone blocks instead of poured concrete.