Footings for Landscape Wall

pajoube · May 13, 2004

You don't need footings for a wall of short height like yours. I just completed a 125 foot wall 3 feet high. I dug a trench 4 inches deep and placed sand 2 inches thick for leveling. The other two inches are to keep blocks from moving (bottom layer). I used decorative stone blocks eighteen inches long and 11 inches deep, each one weighs 85 lbs. I posted a thread under PowerTrac, Decorative Stone Wall Project by PAJOUBE with many pictures.
I live in cold country and am not worried about frost heave. This was after checking with the brick making company of their thoughts.
PJ

adegiulio · May 13, 2004

Pajoube, I just looked at your wall and am very impressed! Great job...I hope your wife gave you a backrub when all was said and done...

rambler · May 14, 2004

( I live in cold country and am not worried about frost heave. This was after checking with the brick making company of their thoughts.
PJ )

Are these free blocks, or are they cemented into place? Free stacked blocks will work well as a wall - each block can move a very tiny bit, and no harm done. Cemented to each other, something will give & crack & move. Wherever the crack forms, a lot of movement & it looks bad.

--->Paul

RobS · May 14, 2004

PJ, I saw your wall and was building a similar one at the same time here . I just used crushed stone under mine but like yours it is not mortared. This new wall I'm building will be mortared in place brick so I don't want any movement leading to cracks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MossRoad · May 14, 2004

Rob,
If you're set on making a formal brick and mortar wall, go with the footing below the frost line. You won't regret it. You want a footing anyway, so the only added cost will be the block to get it up to grade before you add the bricks. What's your frost depth up there, anyway? I think our was either 26" or 32", but can't recall right now.

RobS · May 14, 2004

What's your frost depth up there, anyway? 

What do you mean "up there"??? I'm only about five miles further north than you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I put an addition on our last house over a crawl space. Seems like 32" was the number. I'll call the building department just to make sure /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

timb · May 14, 2004

26" or 32"? I thought it got cold out there! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm not sure what the 'official' building code now reads around here but our seat-of-pants has always been 42" minimum and 48" if you want some safety buffer. Can't believe there's that much difference (we're close to the same latitude, right?) - maybe we've been overdoing it?

Tim

MossRoad · May 14, 2004

What do you mean "up there"??? I'm only about five miles further north than you 

Hee hee hee /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Makes it sound good, though, doesn't it? WWaaaayyy up there across the state line! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RobS · May 15, 2004

Well Dave, I guess we were both wrong on the footing depth. I just spoke with the building inspector and he said 48" to the bottom of the footer. Also said, as I assumed, I wouldn't need a permit for the landscape wall but I need to talk to the zoning guy about the patio since it is attached to the house /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

AndyM · May 15, 2004

Our Home Depot has them for $1.79.
A couple of Saturdays ago, they had them for $1.19 during a one day sale. I'm watching for that again, so I can buy a couple of pallets of them. A 60 cent savings adds up really quick!!! 

Well, they're on sale for $1.49 this weekend...
A 30 cent savings is still pretty good. I just bought 122 of these landscaping stones and saved over $36. I had to make three trips (40 mile round trip) to Home Depot with my Ranger-- they weigh 24 pounds each and the mud flaps were almost scraping on the ground! I'm going to have to make one more trip for some sand, but I'm tired. I've got six box stores (orange ones and blue ones) exactly 20 miles in each direction, none closer! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I'm supposed to have some sidewalks poured some time this week. After that's done, I can put in the flower beds. I'm only going two high, but I think it'll look pretty good...