Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - How to Build an Outdoor Concrete Wall

Unfortunately I'm asking not telling ;)

Just bought a house and the backyard is facing an apartment complex and has a broken down chain link fence. Neighbors on both sides have built fairly high (probably past code) cement cinder block walls all the way across and around the back of their yards. Some even have black bars on top of that (North Hollywood heh...) Anyway, I simply want to "fill the gap" basically.

With cement blocks, do you simply dig a trench, pour in some concrete and the first couple rows of blocks, and then build up from there? Or is there more to it. It's just gonna be a straight wall all the way across....I assume I'll have to get a pretty detailed guide before I start next moneth (when we move in) but I was just curious as to how the trench would work.

And of course - is there an online guide, because I really can't find anything. Everything seems to be on dry stone.

Thanks.

Hi,

First things first: are you 100% sure (this means "did you ask?") that your local code is allowing this wall?.

I understand that other people built...but check with your Buillding dep first.

Hope this helps!

Of the 9 houses in the row, 6 of them have the wall. My boss's husband is a building contractor - and he said it can't go past 9 feet, but even then, they only give you grief if there are complaints. Especially in LA. If there are no complaints, they're not gonna bother with you. And if anything I'm making it more uniform with the rest of the neighborhood...

...but the wall has to go up. The back yard is completely open - people even tried to break into the back of the garage. I can always get the boss's husband to come check everything out as well. I'll most likely just put bars after 9 feet, just so if "anything" happens, I can take that off easily.

But again - in this city, you'd have to do some seriously messed up stuff to have them say anything.

Basically, you've got the general idea, but of course, there is more to it than your initial post makes it sound. My suggestion would be to visit your local library, home improvement store or favorite online bookstore and get a book on the subject of masonry. If you had a specific question, someone in this forum would surely be glad to answer and you can learn more by searching through the previous posts; But you've got the basic idea and so, you primarily need to get into the specifics of footing depth, setbacks, rebar, mortar mixes and block laying techniques and for this you will need to consult your local codes, plus a good book on the subject so that you've got a grasp of more than the basic.

But if you're asking because you haven't yet closed on the house and you are simply weighing your security options; Yeah, you got the basic idea; But just as music is more than simple drums and a guitar, you'd need more information before you actually try to DIY a wall.


Keep Passing Open Windows;
R

PS) Building a wall is a multi-day project that would be visible to the outside of your home, so you would need to get the proper permits and abide by all zoning laws; No matter how lackadaisical you may believe local enforcement to be, in addition to their many legitimate purposes, your city also makes money by fining violators and because they can see it, don't kid yourself into thinking that the code enforcement officers would simply turn a blind eye.