Learn the Proper Steps and Techniques to Create a Sturdy Structure with Cinder Block Adhesive

Building an outdoor wall with cinder blocks and adhesive is a great way to increase your home’s privacy and security without breaking the bank. As daunting as the project may seem, laying cinder blocks with adhesive is actually quite simple if you have a few key items and follow the right steps.

First, you’ll want to locate and level the area where you’d like your wall to be. This part of the process is crucial to get right so that you don’t end up with an uneven wall and undesirable results. Take the time to ensure everything is even and flat by using a level that is attached to a 2×4 piece of lumber. You’ll also want to leave an area for compacting material and crushed rock that’s around 4 to 6 inches deep and 24 to 28 inch wide and 12 inches wide respectively.

Once your foundation is filled and tamped down, you can begin to lay the first row. Make sure to use a string line to keep the first row straight and even. Squeeze adhesive onto each side of the cinder blocks that meet the others next to it. You’ll want to use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive in an upstoke motion and a backward flick of the wrist so the adhesive doesn’t end up in one large glob. Important tip: Do not apply adhesive to more than 5 minutes worth of blocks at a time as the adhesive can dry quickly.

To connect the cinder blocks together, you’ll want to use metal pins. Using a hammer, this is easy to do by simply driving the pins into the crevices between each block. Offsetting the metal pin joints vertically by 4 inches from the previous row will help keep the wall secure and the correct shape.

As you build each row higher and higher, you’ll want to fill the spaces between with crushed gravel. Crushed gravel will help keep the walls structurally sound and also helps with drainage. Once you’ve reached the desired height, you’ll want to use capstones, or thin and short cinder blocks, at the top and secure then with adhesive.

Finally, it’s time to backfill the wall. To do this, you’ll want to add soil to the top of the wall and either plant flowers, ornamental plants, or grass, depending on what your preferences are. Done and done! If you’ve followed al the steps and have taken the proper precautions, you’ve now built a beautiful, reliable cinder block wall that’s sure to last for many years.