How to Lay an L-Shaped Cinder Block Wall

Cinder blocks have large air pockets, so it's only necessary to mortar along the edges.

You can create walls or buildings with cinder blocks. These highly durable blocks last for many years even if exposed to the weather. Cinder block walls are easy to create as long as you are careful about making each course level and plumb. Traditionally, cinder block walls have been constructed without spacers; but if you have them available, they will make it easier to keep the wall level. Creating an L-shaped cinder block wall isn't any more difficult than creating a straight wall.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow
• Concrete mix
• 2-by-4 inch board
• Level
• Cinder blocks
• Mortar
• Trowel

Instructions

1. Dig a ditch that is 16 inches deep by 16 inches wide, with an L-shaped dogleg to pour a foundation for the cinder block wall.

2. Mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow, adding water until the mixture is wet all the way through to a thick and pourable consistency.

3. Fill the ditch with the concrete mix. Use a 2-by-4 inch board to level the surface of the wet concrete by sawing it back and forth across the top. Place a level on top of the board periodically to check that the concrete is even. Allow the concrete to dry for several days. The amount of time will vary depending on weather -- heat, humidity and rainfall -- but the concrete will lighten in color when dry.

4. Mix the mortar in the wheelbarrow. The consistency of the mortar must be thick enough that it holds together like a raw meat patty yet be thoroughly wet.

5. Place roughly 2 inches of mortar along each side of the foundation 4 inches in from each edge with the trowel. Lay the mortar where the edges of the first course of cinder block will come in contact with the foundation.

6. Lay the first cinder block into position at the corner. By starting at the corner, you will be able to create the L-shape more easily. Tap the block several times with the handle of the trowel to set it into the mortar. Check each block, as you go, for level in two directions.

7. "Butter" the edge of the second block with mortar where it will abut the first block. "Buttering" the block means to load the edge up with mortar as you would add butter to bread although spreading peanut butter on bread is a more accurate description. Scrape away the excess mortar with the edge of the trowel after placing the next brick in place. Lay the entire first course, working both ways from the corner.

8. Lay the first block for the second course at the corner as well. If you laid the first block for the first course in an east-west direction, lay the first block for the second course in a north-south direction. Overlap half of the second block on top of the first block. Before placing the blocks for the second course, butter the bottom edges and the abutting edge of the new block.

9. Check that the blocks are stacked directly on top of each other, level and staggered half a block in length from the course beneath it so that no seam is directly above another. You will need a half block at the end of each row. Allow the mortar to dry overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• If you over-seat the block by hitting it too hard so that it isn't level, remove the whole block, remortar and replace it.

• The mortar should be easily scoopable but still hang onto the block without sagging.

• Wear steel-toed shoes when moving the cinder blocks around.

References

• YouTube: Brick Laying and Masonry
• YouTube: EZ Concrete, Cement, Cinder Block and Brick Laying using Joint Spacers