Need advice on raising a concrete brick wall
homebuilding321
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hello,
I am a new home buyer and my house concrete brick walls are only 4 feet tall. For privacy purpose, I want to raise these walls to 6 feet tall. The wall has finish that I want to remove, add bricks with concrete and add new finish on top. I am thinking to buy bricks, concrete and tools for applying concrete from homedepot. I will have Home Depot deliver them. Read process online and watch videos on how to do it and then do it. I have attached picture of my current wall. Please give me tips and tricks. What do I need to know? Is this doable for beginner?
Replies
Here is the picture.
hb,
I’ve been a carpenter for 48 yrs and wouldn’t try it. You very well could de-value the worth of your house more than the cost of material and labor.
For one, your new would be going on top of old which would look like it for a long time.
A good mason might be able to cap the top of what you have after removing that top course, with a sandstone ledge and go up from there......
Some serious design should be thought out prior.
However, best of luck whatever you do!
No, it's not doable for a beginner. That's a very nice struck joint block wall that requires a high skill level. I've been a contractor for almost 50 years and every year end up having to do a few small block jobs. They all look terrible but I'm covering them with stucco so I can hide my lack of skill. Your 8' high wall would probably violate code provisions anyway.
I'm a competent mason after a few years, and I think it would be an expensive and frustrating mistake to try this with no experience.
Perhaps you should consider another material. A 2 foot addition would be proportional if you switch to wood, for example. You could build it in sections at a convenient height and then screw it into the top row of block.