How to install besser block edging?

spurssimon

hello,

I am thinking of building a small 10mx10x square wall from Besser blocks to contain gravel/stones for a fire pit area. It is only to create an edge between the area and the surrounding grass so planning on just one brick high all the way around. Would would be the best way of doing this, what considerations should I be making in particular does the one brick high wall need and reinforcement. The land is pretty flat with only a minimal slope. I would probably render the wall afterwards.

JacobZ

Hi @spurssimon,

At only one block high and with the surrounding ground being relatively flat, I wouldn't consider steel reinforcement necessary. The blocks aren't so much functioning as a retaining wall in this situation; they're essentially just creating a solid garden edge around the gravel area.

The main thing I'd concentrate on is creating a solid, stable base, particularly as you're planning to render the blocks and any movement could lead to cracking. I'd excavate and install around 100mm of well-compacted road base beneath the blocks, with the base extending approximately 100mm beyond the blocks on both sides. Take your time compacting and levelling this so you have a firm foundation to work from.

I'd then bed the Besser blocks onto the prepared base with mortar so you can get them perfectly level and keep the entire run consistent.

You could also consider core-filling the blocks with concrete. It's probably not strictly necessary for a single course being used as edging, but filling the cores with concrete would add some additional mass and rigidity, as well as filling the cores so they can be rendered over.

You might also consider checking out other options for https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/garden/landscaping/paving-stones/retaining-wall-blocks as there are a few options that come with a finished face and wouldn't require any core filling, as well as options like the Versawall system (Adbri Versawall), which has a prefinished face, can be corefilled and reinforced, has finished corner blocks and can be capped with a capping block that matches aesthetically.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob