Making A River Rock Wall With Concrete

Use the largest flattest rocks you have to provide a stable base.

Making a river rock wall with concrete.

Https amzn to 2ulyfdt hi this is carl th. Mix the mortar in a wheelbarrow combining 3 parts sand and 1 part portland cement. Build a mold form if necessary for your concrete job. There are several common items you can choose from.

Styrofoam cardboard crumpled newspaperstep 2 create the rough shape of your rock. Trowel the joints between the capstones with a brick jointer making them slightly concave to channel away water. Pour water in the wheelbarrow and combine it with the cement and sand mixture. Cut two two by fours to the same length as.

In other words for a four foot wall two feet wide. Without this simple footing the rocks have a tendency to move. This makes your rock wall into a 50 year wall. Finish by applying a wedge of concrete along the base course front and back to keep the wall from shifting.

Video is not sponsored. You ll use 5 to 6 quarts of water with a 50 pound bag of portland cement and you want to be careful to not use too much water. On hot dry or windy days mist the wall with water as you work so that the mortar cures slowly and completely. Cut the cardboard or styrofoam to the shape you want your rock to be.

Step 5 continue to add layers being sure to stagger the joints and keep the wall level as the height increases. This footing is similar to a concrete retaining wall just not as engineered. Step 1 choose a material as a base for your rock s shape. Place the first layer of rocks on the concrete using the trowel to apply a 2 inch layer of cement between the rocks.

You ll need to choose the method you prefer. Use a plain cardboard box for a roughly square shaped rock. Combine different materials with glue to create oddly shaped rocks. The full set time is five.

Some good tips about making rock walls that will help build your confidence. Smooth the area and tamp the soil firmly before laying any rocks. Immediately press the river rock onto the wall or floor in the predetermined location and hold it in place for several minutes until the rock is stable on the wall. The wide base needs to go back into the slope at least half as wide as the wall is tall.

A hot wire foam cutter works well. Cut a square of plywood with a circular saw 4 inches wider than you want pavers to be for example.