Small cinder block wall + stone

[reader4]

We are remodeling our patio and are moving a very small (12-18") retaining wall. The old one was made of old fieldstone - some mortared, some not. We would like to put up something like a cinder block wall with the outside faced in bluestone and the top capped. I can't seem to find anything online about small retaining walls... any problem with digging in one block's worth, setting up the wall with mortar fill, then applying the exterior finishing as needed?

[LazyPup]

The footer of your wall must be a minimum of 6" below your average frost line.

[reader4]

I doubt that. Perhaps if the wall were of any height, but here in WI, the frost line is usually ~48". Seems a bit overkill to put in a footer 54" down just to anchor an 18" wall, don't you think?

[LazyPup]

Ridiculous or not,
if you don't you will have frost heaves lift the wall.

[HayZee518]

on the home tv network "rock solid" has a show on building retaining walls - short stocky ones and larger in height walls. the wall face has a backfill of junk rock. the footing they placed is only about a foot deep but I don't remember what state they were working in. because of YOUR frost line it may need to be deeper. on the show they were using granite pieces.

[pushkins]

For most conventional retaining walls the footing should be below the frost line just like Lazypup suggested, other wise it will heave, (not might, not maybe...it WILL heave) maybe not today, or tomorrow, but it will, if your really unlucky it will heave the first year it's in.
Your wall as suggested to be made of cinder blocks would need to have a footer below the frost line.

Another option for you might be to use decorative concrete blocks (not the ugly old Lowe's style, look up Oldcastle Easton Of Pennsylvania Manufactures Belgard Concrete Interlocking Pavers and Retaining Walls
this will give you an idea of what I'm talking about.
This system could be installed with the below method and is structurally designed to support weight behind it and you won't need to add a layer of decorative stone to it's face.


One way to help alieviate this problem is to build the footer base with different substrates. This is often done by putting down a layer of bigger rock first then a layer of smaller, finishing off with a layer of crushed granite or paver base as the final substrate that the wall bed's into.

[Allison1888]

cinder block wall

Love the OldCastle links -- not sure how much is involved in building those elaborate curved walls, though, but it gives you a good visual. Also check out local "stone yards" where they sell materials. They often have displays built.