How to Lay Cinder Block With Adhesive

Cinder blocks in a pile.
What You'll Need
Shovel
Crushed rock
Compacting base material
Masonry sand
Cinder blocks
Metal pins
Level
2x4 piece of wood
Compactor
Hammer
String line
Concrete adhesive
What You'll Need
Shovel
Crushed rock
Compacting base material
Masonry sand
Cinder blocks
Metal pins
Level
2x4 piece of wood
Compactor
Hammer
String line
Concrete adhesive

A cinder block wall that is built outside your house is a welcome addition since it can provide you with added privacy and security. Building a wall made from cinder blocks is not costly, and you can do it without the help of a professional. This will allow you to save hundreds of dollars on installation and labor expenses. Although the process sounds like a very difficult undertaking, it is actually very simple and can be done with a few simple tools and instructions.

Step 1 - Prepare the Construction Area

Begin the project by digging up the area where you are going to build your wall of cinder blocks. Once you are through digging, level the area. To set up a common height, use a level that is attached to a 2x4 piece of lumber. Make sure that a flat space that is at least 4 to 6 inches deep and 24 to 28 inches in width is left for the compacting material for the base. There should also be an area for crushed rock behind your wall that is at least 12 inches in width. This will ensure the stability of your wall.

Step 2 - Lay the First Row of Cinder Blocks

Cinder blocks.

Before you can lay the first row of cinder blocks, you have to put around 4 to 6 inches of compacting base material on the flat space you have created and compact it by using the compactor. This should be done until the compacting base material has been compressed to an inch below the ground level. Put a thin layer of masonry sand to fill up uneven areas of the surface. Use the string line as a guide for a straight row and lay the first cinder block layer. Put beads of adhesive on each side of a cinder block that will come in contact with the one beside it. You can also apply the adhesive using upstrokes of a notched trowel. Make sure that you do not apply adhesive on an area that you can do in less than 5 minutes, as the adhesive can dry up quickly. Check that the wall is level and pack soil around the first row of cinder blocks. This will provide more stability for your foundation.

Step 3 - Install Connecting Pins

Drive the metal pins into the crevices using a hammer. These pins will serve as a connecting device between cinder block layers. You can offset the joints vertically by driving the pins around 4 inches away from the previous row. As you go higher in the construction, continue filling the wall using crushed gravel to ensure stability.

Step 4 - Install Cap Cinder Blocks

A chair made of cinder blocks.

Cap cinder blocks are short and thin blocks that are used as capstones on the top of the wall. Again, you can secure these blocks using beads of concrete adhesive. Continue with the backfilling process and add soil on top where you can plant ornamental plants or grass that you like.