A garden wall is a beautiful way to finish off your garden. Not only will a wall provide a clear border, but it may also be used for entertaining purposes or to provide additional seating.
They are also very attractive. You may also be surprised to learn how easy it is to build a brick garden wall, without hiring professional help. It only takes a few simple steps to build a high-quality brick garden wall.
How to Build a Garden Wall
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Lay the Foundation
Your new wall needs to be built on a solid foundation. Without this, your wall may sink or crumble. String and pegs can be used to mark the building site. A trench should be dug in this marked area. This trench needs to be the same length as the well, with a depth of at least 35cm. If the wall is taller than 1 meter, the trench should be deeper. However, walls of this height shouldn’t be built without consulting with an expert.
Add a 5cm layer of hardcore to the trench. This layer should be compacted firmly. Concrete should be poured on top of the hardcore. Use a shovel to even spread out the concrete, taking care to remove any air pockets or bubbles. Allow enough time for the concrete to fully dry before moving on to the next step.
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Laying the Bricks
Spread a layer of mortar onto the foundation. You can create your own mortar by mixing five parts of soft sand with one-part cement. A plasticizer should be added until the mixture is neither too firm nor too wet.
Begin adding bricks, one at a time. The frog of the brick should always face upward. Complete one row of bricks before adding another layer. Mix additional mortar as needed. There should be a uniform amount of mortar between each brick. A trowel should be used to scrape away any excess mortar before it sets.
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Double-Check Your Work
Since mortar dries very quickly, you need to recheck your work as you go along. A gauge rod should be used to check the height of each brick. A spirit level will ensure your bricks are level. If something isn’t quite right, quickly, remove that brick and replace it.
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Finish the Wall
Once all the layers of brick have been placed, it’s time to finish your garden wall. A layer of capping bricks will prevent damage due to the elements. Capping bricks come in many different options and add a beautiful decorative element to the wall.
Helpful Tips in Building a Garden Wall
- Only mix up small amounts of mortar at a time. This substance dries very quickly, and you will end up wasting mortar if you make too much at once.
- Don’t rush through the project. Although laying bricks may seem simple, you need to constantly check your work to ensure each brick is uniform. Failure to do this may result in a sloppy or uneven wall.
- Single brick walls should never be more than 45cm high. A taller wall may be structurally unsound.
- Medium-density facing bricks are the perfect choice for single brick walls.
- Gather all the tools and supplies you need before beginning the task.
The Bottom Line on Building a Garden Wall
Building a brick garden wall is a surprisingly simple task that almost anyone can do on their own, regardless of their DIY abilities. With a little bit of planning and some hard work, you can complete your garden wall in a weekend.