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short brick wall

Hi, I am interested in having a small brick wall built around my garden. I am finding it difficult to get a contractor to give me a reasonable price let alone consider even doing this relatively small job. I therefore have decided to try it myself. The wall will be about one foot high and two bricks wide. The length will be about 30 linear feet. The wall will not contact the house. I have a couple of concerns. In general, how deep should one dig down for the foundation, and how thick should the footing be? Also, how deep below the surface should the top of the footing be? In other words, how many bricks should be buried? This probably varies by location and municipality so I am looking for guidelines. FWIW, I am in Queens NY. I have been trying to contact the buildings dept, but it is difficult to contact someone who knows anything there. I appreciate the help. Doug

Reply to
kilerbbb
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CHeck technical notes at

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They may have something to get you started.

Reply to
Art

Be sure to check your local codes before you start anything.

The codes may have some specifications that will be required. These are in addition to the usual requirements that are not location specific.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

I just tore one of those out. I found nothing in our local code regulating it, probably because it would be considered landscaping, rather than building.

Mine, which had lasted many years, had a row of cinderblocks the top of which was about two inches below grade, and bricks on top of that. It never looked good because of the sloppy mortaring, and because they had topped it with what I would call concrete pavers, which somehow had come loose.

I made a wall of pieces of flagst> Hi,

Reply to
William Brown

Unless you put a concrete footing down to below the frost line, I wouldn't advise a brick and mortar wall. The mortar will break up rather quickly due to ground motion. You'd probably be better off with one of the blocks made for landscaping that mechanically interlock somewhat, but no mortar. Lots of styles, sizes, and colors

Bill

Reply to
bill a

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