How to Build an Exterior Cinder Block Wall

Building a cinder block wall on the exterior of your home provides your property with an added sense of security and privacy, and at the same time it does not cost a fortune. By installing a cinder block wall on your own, you will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on labor and installation costs. While it may sound like an extremely difficult process, it is actually quite simple if you follow the proper instructions.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Level
• Crushed rock
• 2x4 piece of wood
• Compacting base material
• Compactor
• Masonry sand
• Hammer
• Cinder blocks
• String line
• Metal pins
• Concrete adhesive

Instructions

1. Excavate the area in which you plan to build your cinder block wall and level it once it has been dug up. Use a level attached to a 2x4 piece of wood to establish a common height. Make sure you leave a flat space of at least 4 to 6 inches deep and 24 to 28 inches wide to install the compacting base material. There should also be an area dug out of at least 12 inches behind the wall for crushed rock to add stability.

2. Apply 4 to 6 inches of compacting base material and compact it down using a compactor until it is about 1 inch below the rest of the ground. Apply a small layer of masonry sand to fill in any crevices or holes that may be making the surface uneven. Install the first layer of cinder blocks and use a string line to establish a straight row. After checking to make sure the wall is level, pack soil around the cinder blocks to provide added stability for the foundation.

3. Drive metal pins into the crevices of the cinder blocks using a hammer. These pins will act as a connecting device between layers of blocks. As you continue up the wall, offset the vertical joints by placing the next row of metal pins approximately 4 inches away from the previous row. As the wall gets higher, continue to back fill the wall with crushed rocks to add additional stability. Crushed rock ensures that the pressure exerted from the rocks goes downward rather than outward and does not push the wall out of place over time.

4. Install the cap cinder blocks (thin, short blocks) to work as a capstone to the top of the wall. Secure these blocks to the wall using beads of concrete adhesive. Position the blocks so that they slightly overhang the rest of the wall for added aesthetic appeal. Continue to backfill the wall until it reaches just below the capstones. Add soil on top of the gravel and install plants/grass seeds to your liking.

References

• Building a Cinder Block Wall