TOOL LIST:
- Hand tamper
- Level
- Rubber mallet
- Tape measure
- Caulk gun
- Spade shovel
- Stiff metal rake (for leveling gravel)
- Yard stick or 2×4 board (for screeding sand)
MATERIALS LIST:
- Wall blocks (quantity depends on height, will need 4 rectangular blocks per layer)
- 20″ wall cap (if desired) or 6 additional wall blocks for cap
- Crushed gravel
- Bedding sand
- Masonry adhesive
STEP 1: Prepare Base
- Remove 6 inches of top soil (approximately 2’x2′ section)
- Fill with 5 inches gravel, level with a rake and compact with a hand tamper
- Top with 1 inch of sand, screed to level
STEP 2: Column Construction
- Lay base blocks
- Apply a layer of adhesive
- Lay next layer of blocks and adjust placement with a rubber mallet, as needed
- Apply a layer of adhesive
- NOTE: Use a staggered pattern to increase column strength (see video)
STEP 3: Add Layers
- Repeat STEP 2 until you reach desired height (maximum height 42 inches)
- Add final layer of adhesive to the top of the stack
STEP 4: Column Cap
- Option1: Position 6 blocks horizontally as a cap
- Option 2: Top with a single 20″ square wall cap
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