quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
The wall looks good because the van is hard to ignore.

LOL ouch.

Maybe you should photoshop the van out as well as any other minivan on the block in future photos.

It looks level.

Take it apart, drink some beer, and put it back together.

You guys are a riot. Ulsterman, aren't you building a new home too due to fire? Wondering how you ever made out.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
The wall looks good because the van is hard to ignore.

LOL... Yep, nice job.
Just curious.... why did you decide to start down and around the corner (and around the downspout)?

I built a similar wall and started at the bottom of the front corner and it was a simple curve toward the front porch/step. That way the downspout would have been just behind the wall rather than going through the planter box.

My reading said you should start your base at the lowest point and level up from there. So that is why I started at that corner.

I wanted all of the block against the house without rerouting the downspout. I took it a little further down since the wall tapers back I did not want to have to trim the block to fit flush against the quoin and the rest of the brick face on a couple of the blocks, though I ended up having to do so with the top row half block anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
Can you use some sort of stone handsaw to cut down that brick?

I wanted to cut the block on the side of the stoop as I think it would look better but it would have been a huge cut and not worth getting a different saw for one cut.
I cut the other side that butts up next to the block. It was just a corner cut the I got creative with a circular saw, diamond blade, then trimmed with a chisel.
It will look just fine with the cap on it.

I would have never taken you for a racist. But, there's the proof; you built a WALL.

Nice work! Nice looking wall.

That is going to look fantastic!

Is that bed going to be something that gets watered regularly? If so you might want to paint on a coat of waterproofing on the bricks before backfilling, and add some 6 mill plastic sheeting to the back side of the blocks to retard the soil from drying out quickly maybe. Those blocks will suck the moisture right out of the soil in hot weather.

My Grandparents had almost the same exact setup. Almost imposable to keep plants alive in the bed.

This is super nitpicky but, looking at the last pic you posted, I see a lot of bricks out of alignment--especially the top one by the downspout. Were you just placing the blocks and are going to rearrange them before finalizing the build?

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
That's all fine and well...but what's up with those ugly ass wheels on that minivan?

(wall looks nice)

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
This is super nitpicky but, looking at the last pic you posted, I see a lot of bricks out of alignment--especially the top one by the downspout. Were you just placing the blocks and are going to rearrange them before finalizing the build?

I actually built in some imperfections hoping people will pay attention to them and not notice the ugly ass van in the driveway

There are 2 blocks that are pretty far out of alignment that are bothersome. Mainly that top half block at the quoin and down spout. There are way too many cuts to get that one to fully line up there is just not enough meat left on the block for me to trim it anymore. It is in the back corner and once the cap is on it will be hard to tell unless you go down there.
The others just have to be that way with the angle of the turn to get it lined up to go straight to the stoop.
The cap will help to hide it a little bit. It is not perfect and likely never be unless I hire someone which in this day and age is still no gauruntee. So for my 1st wall I am very happy. We're here for many years to come so if I can live with it but more importantly mama is happy with it we're golden.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:
That is going to look fantastic!

Is that bed going to be something that gets watered regularly? If so you might want to paint on a coat of waterproofing on the bricks before backfilling, and add some 6 mill plastic sheeting to the back side of the blocks to retard the soil from drying out quickly maybe. Those blocks will suck the moisture right out of the soil in hot weather.

My Grandparents had almost the same exact setup. Almost imposable to keep plants alive in the bed.

I had not thought of the paint on waterproofing after I backfill crap fill dirt I will put plastic down before the planting soil goes in.

So the wall is done. While I am sure there are imperfections that Orguss' super duper quad 4k monitor will show I am good with that. I am quite happy with how it turned out for never doing one of these before.
Had a little struggle as this is as deep as I could get my saw to cut so a little caress with the hammer and a little edge finish with the chisel and it turned out pretty well.






And the ugly ass minivan doubled as the ugly ass utility van as it carted 22 caps for the wall.

The squat was deep! I will certainly be adding airbags to the rear springs to eliminate the squat when I am at full load.

Nice wall!
As a builder I have to ask...What is behind the brick that you buried? Is it a framed wall or (I hope) concrete?

Not too shabby!

As one who has built a similar "retaining wall" sort of thing out of nearly identical "bricks", I must warn you - if you didn't use some sort of caulk or mortar, or maybe line the inside somehow before you backfilled, the rain will eventually wash micro-dirt through the joints and the wall will turn dirt-colored. You'll have to pressure wash it regularly to keep it that pretty gray color.

Sorry I didn't jump in here and mention that before - just in case you care.

-Rob

You've got fine beginnings of a fortified defensive fighting position! Well done!

Firing holes and another 2' of blocks now?

Looks good! That was good practice.

Now you need to report to Wall Building Barracks 22c in San Antonio for your 2 year volunteer stint building THE wall!

San Antonio?
We've already ceded that much territory?

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
San Antonio?
We've already ceded that much territory?

That's where the staging barracks are

I think the line is now along NM/OK. Texas is behind enemy lines...

Heck, the wall looks good. Nice van too BTW. When Autumn comes back around, you can plant some garlic in there..