Making A River Rock Wall With Concrete

A hot wire foam cutter works well.

Making a river rock wall with concrete.

Cut the cardboard or styrofoam to the shape you want your rock to be. Trowel the joints between the capstones with a brick jointer making them slightly concave to channel away water. Without this simple footing the rocks have a tendency to move. On hot dry or windy days mist the wall with water as you work so that the mortar cures slowly and completely.

Next you can line the trench with landscape fabric and pour a bed of small rocks onto it to cover with mortar for the base or you can lay wire fencing and cover it with concrete. Step 5 continue to add layers being sure to stagger the joints and keep the wall level as the height increases. Pour water in the wheelbarrow and combine it with the cement and sand mixture. 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.

There are several common items you can choose from. You can use a variety of materials to create the shape of your rock. New videos added march 2018 much more detail in the masonry playlist at https. The wide base needs to go back into the slope at least half as wide as the wall is tall.

You ll need to choose the method you prefer. This makes your rock wall into a 50 year wall. Combine different materials with glue to create oddly shaped rocks. Use the largest flattest rocks you have to provide a stable base.

Mix the mortar in a wheelbarrow combining 3 parts sand and 1 part portland cement. 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. Cut two two by fours to the same length as. Finish by applying a wedge of concrete along the base course front and back to keep the wall from shifting.

Video is not sponsored. Https amzn to 2ulyfdt hi this is carl th. This footing is similar to a concrete retaining wall just not as engineered. Styrofoam cardboard crumpled newspaperstep 2 create the rough shape of your rock.

Place the first layer of rocks on the concrete using the trowel to apply a 2 inch layer of cement between the rocks. Build a mold form if necessary for your concrete job. Smooth the area and tamp the soil firmly before laying any rocks. In other words for a four foot wall two feet wide.

Some good tips about making rock walls that will help build your confidence. Step 1 choose a material as a base for your rock s shape.