Concrete Retaining Wall

Building a concrete retaining wall can be done with a few tools and some knowledgable manpower.  First, a footer must be poured.  A footer is concrete that the wall will be anchored to.  The footer should be formed either with concrete forms, or by using the existing dirt as a form, below frostline.   

The retaining wall must first be formed up.  Either wood or commercial metal forms may be used.  When forming up your wall, make sure the forms are sturdy and able to hold the concrete.  If your wall is going to retain more than four feet of material, you should check with the local building department for engineering requirements.

Rebar is used to reinforce the wall.

Concrete should be poured starting at one end of your wall and filled toward the opposite end.  Vibrate the concrete as you go for good settlement and consolidation.

A bull float can be used to smooth out the top of your wall.  It is important to level out your wall for a well designed finish. 

Forms should be left on your wall for at least twenty four hours.  Cold weather climates could take a little longer.  Take forms off carefully especially around the corners.  Corners could easily break.