Building a small block retaining wall, need info?

Thomas Riner: dig as deep as you need to to get below frostline...dig it twice as wide as the block your laying (8 in. block make it 16 in. wide)...pour it 8 in. thick..then lay up enough block to get out of the ground and your height of 3 ft...

Hunter Osterberger: Here is a DIY with photos for a stone interlocking wall.If your using cinder blocks you'll probably have to set some 1/2 " rebar into the openings as well to keep it stationary.The link below will give you some general idea of how to start.NOTE:Below for footingThe footing should be approximately 12 inches deep. http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/hm_homeexterior/arti...This old house video/for pointershttp://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1632351,0...There just isn't much out here for a stucco retaining wall.My suggestion is just do the research before you start....Show more

Tyrone Disanti: Do you have a Home Depot within a half-hour or so?Visit them, and ask for advice. They often have workshops on t! hese things, too.http://www.doityourself.com/stry/buildretainingwal...Here's a website, too.Good luck....Show more

Craig Virani: Hi there. for a 3 foot wall you would normally require concrete foundations 6-8 inches deep and the width the same a the wall However as this is a retaining wall the foundations will be dependant on what the wall is retaining, if its soil then conrete foundations between 12-18 inches deep, will be required, The width of the foundations must be wider than the wall, by around 4 inches.If the retaining wall is for rubble, pebles, hardcore etc the wall will need reenforcing by creating a cavity wall and using rebar in the cavity and filling it with concrete.If its a brick wall you will require 60 bricks per square meter if its block its 10 blocks per square meter...Show more

Asa Soho: Yes you need a footer. Block can only carry compression. Any bending will make the mortar joints come apart. If you just lay the block on soil the soil will ! settle and move, so the wall will be in bending vertially, so ! the joints will be in tension and come apart. You need the foundation to hold the wall together. Furthermore, it will be very difficult to start laying blocks on soil. It is too unstable. The foundation makes a nice platform to lay blocks upon. Its not that hard to make a footing for your case. You have about one wheel barrow full of concrete to make, a couple rebars to lay....Show more