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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Building a 6 brick high wall? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1082104751 Message started by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 9:39am

Title: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 9:39am

I would like to build a low wall about 20m in length to create a raised flower bed in my garden. I have only layed bricks before when creating a step (2 bricks in height). I created a concrete base that was almost level (so the water will run off) and placed the bricks on top, finished with pathing slabs. I found keeping the cement off the face of the brick very difficult. So you can see making a wall 20m in length could be quite tricky. Can anyone advise?

Cheers

Satman68

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by thescruff on Apr 16^th, 2004, 10:51am

Make sure the bricks are dry and the mortar is is not to wet.

No trade is as easy as the pros make it look, so take your time, and with practice it can only get better.

plumb

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 11:56am

Thanks for that. Any tips on setting up the wall, ie foundation tips. Am I right in thinking create a channel into the ground about 4" (100mm) finishing at ground level get this level and build the bricks on top?

Cheers
Satman68

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by thescruff on Apr 16^th, 2004, 12:16pm

Depends on the ground, I would be tempted to go deeper and back fill with hardcore & scalpings first.

100mm concrete should be ok, when you lay the bricks don't forget drain points, either leave the mortar out of the vertical joints in the bottom row (you can buy weep joints in plastic) or build plastic tubes in.

plumb

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 4:33pm

Thanks for the help. I didn't think of the drain ports! What are scalpings?

Satman68

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by Dewy on Apr 16^th, 2004, 5:43pm

Skalpings are crushed stone that sets like concrete after settling & provides a firm base.
They are used in road construction.

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by Building_Control on Apr 16^th, 2004, 7:28pm

dont forget to use expansion joints every few metres.

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by satman68 on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 12:23pm

Thanks m8s. When you say expansion joints, sorry for being a thicky, where are these placed?

Thanks

Title: Re: Building a 6 brick high wall?
Post by builder on Apr 30^th, 2004, 6:40pm

its a continuous vertical joint, filled with either foam or fibre board,(not mortar) and should be set at a max of every 12metres in brickwork and 6m in blockwork.