Concrete Block Wall Specifications

Height

• Technically there is no limitation on how high you can build a block wall, but the reality is that you are limited by what type of wall you are building. Retaining walls that are in your back yard, used in a garden setting, for example, can be built to around 4 feet in height before you have to worry about any federal or local codes. Beyond that, you will need to consult with a structural engineer to determine the specifics for supports, material types and more.

Footing

• Although a footing isn’t required for retaining walls that are cosmetic in nature, they are required for foundations or walls that are over 4 feet in height. A footing works by spreading the load of a wall out over a wider base, with the rule for most walls being that they need to have a footing at least as wide as half the height. For example, a 10-foot-high wall needs to have a 5-foot wide footing, at minimum. Exact specifics depend on where you are building and what type of block you are working with and the type of structure it is for.

Structural Support

• You don’t need to include structural support for walls that are cosmetic, such as retaining walls in gardens that are just there for show. Load-bearing walls, on the other hand, require that you add rebar and other structural elements into the block wall. The spacing for rebar varies depending on the structure, and can be anywhere between 18 and 48 inches apart. The rebar adds extra strength for the concrete and block.

Local Variants

• While there are some basic guidelines to follow when building block walls, the reality is that specifications change depending on what part of the country you live in. City codes, county codes, state codes and federal codes all vary. For your own safety and security, you should always work with local experts and structural engineers to ensure your concrete block walls are built to the proper codes for where you happen to live.