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Andrew Gabriel

In article .com,
writes:
Hi,

I am currently trying to build couple of retaining walls. These walls
are not going ro retain anything major..just so that they separate the
paved area at the back from the lawn. I have already dug the trenches
and have filled them with hardcore and then 6 inches of concrete. Now i
am about to start on the walls which will be less than a metre tall.

Sice this is in the back garden i want to keep the costs of my bricks
to a minimum. I have been advised by the local builders merchants to
use LBR Tudors. Is this type of brick ok or if anybody can recommend
any other type. Do i need to put some blue engineering bricks also?

LBC Tudors seem to be rated MN (Moderately frost resistant,
normal soluble salt content). They won't last all that long
if in contact with a bank of wet soil. A damp proof membrane
behind the wall might help, but you need to work out how
water behind the wall drains away, depending on the local
soil drainage.

Engineering bricks can be used along the top to protect the
top from direct rain penetration. If the base of the wall
might be in standing water, you should use them there too.
However, don't put a damp proof membrane through the wall
itself -- it will just create a weak point where the wall
will break.

Also important is how many courses high and what bond
are you planning on using? A half brick retaining wall
(stretcher bond) will likely be pushed over if anything
over 3 courses.

--
Andrew Gabriel