A retaining wall in your garden is a proven method that helps to organise your garden space whilst also increasing the aesthetics of it. There are many ways and methods to build a reliable and eye-catching garden retaining wall, but an incredibly easy method is through the use of our Interlocking Concrete Blocks.
That’s why this blog will show you how to build a garden retaining wall with Interlocking Concrete Blocks.
At PPC Concrete Products, we are here to provide solutions for your construction needs, from the person working their own part-time project, to commercial clients, and everyone in-between.
Monthly construction output had risen an estimated by an 1.6% value in June 2023, and we would like to think our accessible concrete products had a small part to play by giving our clients easy access to reliable and easy-to-use construction solutions.
What is a retaining wall?
The purpose of a retaining wall is in the name. But what exactly is this wall retaining?
Retaining walls are generally used on lands that have slopes, they are used to effectively remove the slope, creating a wall in-between, which can vary in size from a metre, to a few feet!
Without retaining walls, a sloped area of land can be a health hazard in public areas and some gardens. In the case of a garden, a slope can make it an inconvenience to navigate.
Drainage for retaining walls
All retaining walls should have drainage. Drainage is typically located at the bottom of the retaining wall. It comes in the form of a pipe layered below gravel or other landscape fill, which itself is below the topsoil of the slope the retaining wall was made for.
As rain falls upon the soil, it travels through it, it then travels through the gravel, until it reaches the pipe and drains to the exit that the pipe directs it to. Without drainage, retaining walls will be under a greater amount of weight provided by the rain, in addition to the weight already being supported by the retaining wall.
What makes a bad retaining wall?
A bad retaining wall is one which can not support the area it was designed to. There are the signs of a badly constructed retaining wall.
- There is no drainage present in the construction of the retaining wall.
- The retaining wall is leaning, or begins to lean over time.
- The retaining wall has no footings or solid foundational structure
- The retaining wall is made from inferior materials
Interlocking concrete blocks explained
Interlocking Concrete Blocks are a reliable and durable form of pre-cast concrete blocks. Thee special design enables them to securely attach to each other without any form of binding materials. This is made possible through pre-measured studs and recesses on the top and bottom of the blocks, respectively.
There are many advantages of Interlocking Concrete Blocks, one of which being their multiple methods of application, they can be used for a variety of projects.
What can Interlocking Concrete Blocks be used for?
Here is a list of some of the uses that Interlocking Concrete Blocks can facilitate.
- Material Storage bays
- Blast walls
- Salt stores
- Crash protection
- Push walls
- Security barriers
- Segregation bays, i.e. recycling centres
- Retaining walls
- Industrial buildings
- Fire breaks
- Counterweights
- Roadblocks
What are the advantages of interlocking concrete blocks?
- Longer lasting and more durable than a Gabion basket
- Quicker and less hassle to install
- No need for mortar, saving you money and time
- No need for steel reinforcement or shuttering
- Resistant to extreme weather conditions
- Fire-resistant properties, mitigating the spread of fire depending on the structure
- Little maintenance required
- Often, no foundation is needed before installing
- Sound resistant
- Sustainable
- Ability to stack them upon each other
- Flexibility in sizes
- Appropriate for temporary and/or permanent buildings
- Unlikely to be displaced due to the interlocking function
- Can be moved with standard lifting equipment
How to build a garden retaining wall with Interlocking Concrete Blocks
A garden retaining wall helps organise gardens that contain slopes. Aside from aesthetic purposes, it can also practically help by organising your garden into different areas. This is especially handy for horticulture enthusiasts, or those who want to use the extra space for a shed, or other installation.
Retaining walls can be built with materials such as steel and wood, though the easiest, and fastest method is through using Interlocking Concrete Blocks. Here is a very brief step by step of how to build a retaining wall with Interlocking Concrete Blocks.
*Prior to this, make sure you have your measurements for the height of the wall, in addition to measurements for drainage, and footings. Footings are required for retaining walls to create a solid foundation for the wall itself, neglecting your footings will result in your wall changing shape over time. With that out of the way, here are the next steps.
- Dig the area that the retaining wall will be erected, this depth will be dependent on your footings. Using a mini digger will expedite this process.
- Once dug, make an additional measurement to ensure you have dug to the correct depth before installing your Interlocking Concrete Blocks.
- If your blocks have already been delivered, obtain the relevant heavy lifting equipment to place your foundational blocks and begin placement, making sure there is space for drainage.
- Repeat this process, making sure to stack the blocks so that the studs and recesses connect. Do this until you have reached your desired height.
*Please use this guide to gain an understanding of the process of how to build a garden retaining wall with Interlocking Concrete Blocks. It is best to contact a local landscaping professional for guidance concerning your garden specifically.
Do Interlocking Concrete Blocks need glue or cement?
No, our Interlocking Concrete Blocks require no form of binding at all. They are held together by the studs and recesses at the top and bottom of each block. They are connected by placing the blocks on top of each other.
What can dislodge Interlocking Concrete Blocks?
Interlocking Concrete Blocks can be dislodged by lifting the block from the stud it was placed on. This gives Interlocking Concrete Blocks a chance to be reused should that be required.
Aside from that, there is no natural means that Interlocking Concrete Blocks can be dislodged aside from a natural disaster, or having no drainage or footings.
How much are Interlocking Concrete Blocks?
Pricing of our Interlocking Concrete Blocks is entirely dependent on your needs. To provide an accurate quote, we require as much information as you can provide for what you require the blocks for.
From this, we can estimate how many you require, and which sizes of would be best suited for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions you would like to discuss directly regarding our concrete products.
Purchase Interlocking Concrete Blocks today
As an established supplier all over the UK, PPC Concrete Products is always happy to help, which is why we encourage you to get in touch with any questions you may have or have a look at our FAQ.
In this blog, we hope to have shown you how to build a garden retaining wall with Interlocking Concrete Blocks, whilst also providing extra information in regard to construction solutions that we offer.
Take a read of our case studies to truly understand how we have provided solutions for business in the past with the use of our interlocking concrete blocks, and ultimately, how we can help you today.
Read our blog page for more insights into our passion, construction.
Address:
The Old Gasworks,
Higginshaw Lane,
Royton,
Oldham,
OL2 6HQ
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday – 8 AM til 4 PM
Tel: 01706 655245
Email: info@ppcconcreteproducts.co.uk
