How to Build a Retaining Block Wall

In this video we show you guys how to demo and tear out an old cracked up wall that was leaning over. Then we show you how to setup the area for an appropriate foundation with reinforcement for the new retaining block wall you will see us build on the hillside for this homeowner. Enjoy and don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE and COMMENT! Thank you all for your support!
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WEBSITE - www.odellconcrete.com
INSTAGRAM - / odellconcrete
FACEBOOK - / odellcompleteconcrete
TIK TOK - vm.tiktok.com/ZMJmGt4e3/

[@Stevenowski]

This video reminds me of my dad laying up his last wall. He was 81! He did block work for 62 years. 🤗🇺🇸 Nice work!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thats OSS

[@user-np3tn9sg6c]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete our foreman laughed with you armouring. Rassia spends greetings.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

That guy is a Stud. TY

[@boblafountaine9560]

How old was your dad when he passed if he has already?

[@jcfpv3454]

I was exposed to massive amounts of silica dust without knowing or protection while drilling holes for housing and blowing out the holes with compressed air now I am trying to get a Whole Lung lavage to remove the silica dust in my lungs before it's too late please spread awareness about a possible hope for removing the silica dust from lungs before it causes fatal damage

[@kennethamend8557]

With the proper skill set, proper tools and teamwork...you 2 are EXTREMELY efficient!!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I concur TY

[@larrygreenlee6194]

Manuel has been doing this for 30 years, he’s pretty good at it at this point, you could say! YaY Manuel!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I concur

[@stoveboltlvr3798]

Now that's a footer done right. I like your caution tape trick and the wet sponge finish, that works on drywall too. That wall will outlive the house!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure TY

[@here2there880]

While i cant do concrete on my own drive because of back issues, watching your videos allowed me to find a great contractor in my area. Was able to ask the important questions and made sure they could answer. Definitely weeded out a sketchy one and found one who i really trust to do a good job. Keep up the great videos.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Glad to help

[@stevelundt6498]

I was a Bricklayer for 35 yrs with the state of NY and I must say that you did an excellent job !! Perfection!! That wall looks fantastic and will last for 50 yrs.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I concur TY

[@evanofelipe]

Another neat clearance and preparation of footings, is the mark of Odell workmanship. It’s a real treat to see. Like all good jobs, it’s what’s you can’t see that makes all the difference. Great job.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I concur TY

[@joycejeff38]

It’s great seeing you guys build retaining walls. You guys do it all.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

We try

[@andyscorner101]

A truly great step by step video on wall deconstruction and then installation of a new wall. You and your crew are masters of your art. Of that I am sure. Thanks for sharing. Greatly appreciated.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

YW TY

[@craigjoseph9374]

Blown away by your work and your old school ingenuity.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

ty

[@julietphillips1991]

Thorough job, neat and tidy, always satisfying to watch and happy for the homeowner! I believe there is a new driveway in the homeowner's future, built by Odell Complete Concrete.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Fingers crossed!

[@liamplz2783]

Thankyou for this video. I'm getting ready to do my own small wall and it was helpful to watch. Nice job on your wall. Great Work!!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY GL

[@kenkobra]

Looks great! Thanks for the tip with the caution tape. I know it's overkill, but when I built my retaining wall, for my flower bed, I filled the block with concrete from top to bottom. It also included rebar in every other block as I had a bunch laying around. When the next person buys my house and wants to remove it they will be in for a surprise.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

That's a great idea!

[@808TheDuck]

How we did it!

[@the_jonathan_o]

Very satisfying seeing the straight lines of the mortar.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@davidd8435]

Only one word for this job, amazing.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@freepress8451]

Fascinating watching you and your team. Still remember when you were an instructor and you built the wall for the students 'Teaching Students Concrete Basics', you made it look so easy

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes that was fun, I cant wait to back in the classroom

[@stevt77]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete where were/are the classes? I’m in SoCal too.

[@01cissy]

My back is killing me just from watching this video. Very nice work.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I feel that

[@hawkforce3109]

Love the teamwork efficiency, it resembles an assembly line.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes TY

[@reempire888]

Job well done, every time! Thanks Odell!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@darkpassenger65]

Work of art. I love watching professionals work.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@ebk304]

Amazing job brother! I absolutely love your videos. As a new Cement Mason it’s so helpful to me. I have done some Res but I’m in the Local 555 Cement Masons here in Portland Oregon. I do hundreds and hundreds of yards at a time which is usually blow and go slabs. But I like the more detailed res work. Anyway thank you brother be easy and God Bless you 🫡🙏🏻

[@T.E.P.]

WOW huge ... great work again guys! always love catching your vids

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@roybanker]

You guys really need to expand to our area of Oregon. Almost every home needs concrete replacement work! Homes built in the 50's, 60's. You would have NO competition....especially your quality! You'd make a killing!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

That sounds good. TY

[@roybanker]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete Fly...or drive out here. Look around for a day....maybe submit some concrete work offers...see where they land. I'm retired and could pick you up and show you around!

[@sgreene2058]

I second this sentiment. I’m in Portland in a home built in 1950. So many concrete projects.

[@Hoppervision]

I'm in the Portland area and also need a retaining wall.

[@TheHelpmidi]

Another Portlander here hoping you’ll come to our area please!

[@raytorres4442]

Very valuable information; thanks Odell. Manuel really knows what he is doing.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@digitalgoonie]

I love watching your videos! I’ve done three concrete projects at my house that have turned out very nice because of your instruction! Thanks!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

That is awesome!

[@RANSOMCE]

Always worth the watch.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@sacramentohoney9635]

You have the big boy toys to play with. Thank you for the informative video.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@michaelgarcia5159]

Another great job! I'm always amazed at your professional work and ethic. I wish I could be your camera man.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

You can if you can multi task with a shovel

[@T.E.P.]

also just noticed the new logo in the corner ... looking good guys. gonna be a great year for your channel

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Hope so! TY

[@mmanut]

BEAUTIFUL WORK GUYS‼️👍👍. Vinny 🇺🇸

[@craigrschulz]

Beautiful! Excellent job!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@markmoreno2145]

Awesome work. Nothing is better then having great hombres for helpers.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

You got that right!

[@sumyunguy777]

That ended up looking great! Thanks for sharing.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thanks for watching!

[@paramotorpilot1749]

Nice job. You take a lot of pride in your work. A true professional.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you very much!

[@dylantrinder1571]

Fantastic job. Thanks for sharing.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thanks for watching!

[@Djm9393]

Sweet full send bro never lift! Bro you gotta hire Manuel every time his work is so clean and nice excellent craftmanship primo

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@leemcmullan]

you are a BADASS!! Love your videos! Your construction terms are so much fun to learn!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@myopiniondoesntmatter505]

I love your video's man. I for sure appreciate them. One day I will tackle one of my projects and use 1 of your videos to guide me. Again thank you sir.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY GL

[@scottm3130]

Great looking wall. Nice job guys.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sammypollard6460]

A job well done with pride ! And it SHOWS !

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Ty Glad to see you know the difference

[@jeffbarron5500]

It is nice seeing a plan go from mouth to reality, I am in SD, Ca. and here its all talk , no action( that you are happy to pay for)

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I hear that alot TY

[@jm1551701]

You do really fantastic work, you and your crew work like a well oiled machine,

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@ReefEco]

Great videos! I live in a winter climate with heavy snow, and looking to do a small retaining wall about 3ft high - would you still keep the weep holes in the first course open, then some bituthane waterproofing on the courses above that? Worried about frost heaves. I'll probably do a french drain behind that as well. Very dense clay soil. Thanks for your help!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Sounds like all that stuff will make it better

[@californiacritic9779]

Step down looks great. I would've made the wall even all the way through. Great job as always Maestro Odell.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Maybe some day. Thanks

[@chadwhite8352]

Looks very nice. You make it look so easy.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@jj358mhz]

That caution tape necktie was a nice touch.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

yes it really makes the difference. TY

[@b00573d]

Great job as always!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mr.clutch6930]

Superb work, Mr. Odell. Quedo chingon!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Gracious

[@calziz]

These are some of the best videos I have seen great instruction 😊

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Wow, thank you!

[@peterdean5300]

Wow great job, you make it look so easy

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@UaeDelta]

Its nice to see how masonry and concrete techniques are differently used around the world. Retaining walls normally consist of full blocks here.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes it is

[@kennethtibbitts6641]

YOU AND YOUR CREW DO EXCELLENT WORK!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@kaycox5555]

Top notch and beautiful!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY KAY

[@seangreene64]

If it was my wall I would have just ran it the same level as the block at the column. Great as always. 👍

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Interesting

[@brettlogan73]

That is a good looking wall. You guys did a great job on it.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@mrtopcat2]

Another fantastic looking top professional job. I wish I was closer and in your service area (we eMailed a few days ago).

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Me too

[@ddddsd20]

Nice job, looks great!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@paullamorgese1019]

Awesome job sir. Really enjoy your video presentations.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

YW TY

[@zaneroberts3813]

If you do t want a wall that size falling or moving I’d add some piers into the footing u will be surprised how fast them small footings move . Couple meter deep piers will really keep it solid . Looks great but what you did just an idea we used to have to use piers anything over a certain height as it will get immense presssure behind it

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Earth teeth, sounds good

[@jeremytubbs]

Beautiful

[@tonygolledge7906]

I can say this is the first masonry wall, I've seen built on a wet footing. I'm still scratching my head. But we'll done to you!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes a better system

[@gregsappington9991]

Another great job from Odell

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@yourmatechris]

Great work!

[@josemendiola4957]

Excelente video buen trabajo felicidades

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

GRACIOUS

[@9856CB]

Excellent👍

[@humbertomarangoni1491]

Amazing job as always! I noticed the footing doesn’t seem to be deep. Is there a frostline where this was done? Would the footing need to be below the frostline if living in colder places?

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

No frost in Southern California

[@dc5duben96]

great work as always guys, i enjoy watching all ur guys videos

[@MR.P0NCH0]

I wish I could make that...just really nice work good job guys

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@L318BLACKSHEEP]

Great work man! I came here to see why it cost $3,500 for me to have a fountain made out of center blocks and now I understand

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Right on

[@DL101ca]

What did they do with the side blocks since they only used the center blocks for your fountain ?🤔

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@Dabs__]

3500$ ? I’ll build you two of them for that

[@hsandv70]

As always, great work !

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@MaxPower12]

Best comment of the video is that “Manuel is pretty good at it at this point after 30 years.”

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@AlMai222]

I died when he said that 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Climate_Hoax]

@@AlMai222 RIP

[@nmatthew7469]

That redwood could be reused for something. It's like the old cedar and cypress I find here in 1920s Florida builds, termites don't eat it and it's very fragrant when you cut into it.

[@NR-pn6mn]

😂😂😂😭😭😭

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

That's a great job!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@markadler8968]

Nice looking wall. Also your foundation is bulletproof. The only thing I would suggest is putting a concrete cap on the top of the wall after its complete to protect it from the elements.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure TY

[@bryanlloyd1099]

Always great work!!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@LM-gu7rj]

That Vermeer seems to come in handy for you. Definitely reduces laborers. How do you feel about it? Are you content with it? do you wish you had something with more capability or is this good what you mainly do?

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I could use a mini excavator and a bigger skidsteer. That would handle everything I do to perfection

[@rce2553]

That Vermeer looks like the Jack of small equipment, hammer did great on the demo. Nice work!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes it worked well

[@ricardodiaz6187]

Man what a great idea tying the tops of the vertical rebar.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

For sure

[@unexplainedwearenotalone3537]

Clean job bravo to team ur awesome.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@changochulo]

Is there any difference in strength between building a wall like this vs using retaining wall blocks with pins?

[@MotoBuilder]

You do incredible work. Masters at the trade 👍🏼

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you so much 👍

[@pqworks9019]

You certainly built a very solid wall! It will definitely last over 100 years

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I like to think so

[@jesusrodela515]

What did you use for waterproofing on the ground side below grade? Also, just weep holes? No gravel ? Im having something similar built with split face cmu and was curious what you used. Thank! Great work!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Drylock

[@wcsd9577]

Nice job as always!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@roybanker]

So fascinating to watch this project, done by professionals! Ballpark price?

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

5500

[@josianrodriguez1249]

SALUDOS ODELL , ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO. NICE JOB WELL DONE.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@smallnuts2]

Awesome content. I was wondering, since it's a small wall can you just use vertical rebar only? If it's in the dirt a few feet, wouldnt that help with strength and holding cinderblocks? I'm doing a foot and a half tall retaining wall that is 20ft long. I'm in AZ so wondering if I need to do the fancy rebar that goes horizontal. I'm using cinderblock then plan to use liquid rubber on back of wall and top and front covered with concrete or stucco.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

18" should get no problem with verticals only in the wall. I would put a horizontal in footing though

[@MichaelMartinez-mr3uy]

Nice vid, nice looking work, good narration.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@whocares0692]

Very nice job.

[@halfdohm]

so glad you took most of that ivy out. Stuff is hard to kill.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

That's what I've heard. TY

[@josesoyelgatovoladorhernan3049]

Good job that wall don’t go nowhere is very solid and strong 💪

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Yes it's a good one. TY

[@tutorialdepatronaje.misaelesca]

You guys made exelent job.

[@tutorialdepatronaje.misaelesca]

How much is the cost for a job like that?

[@henri6595]

Excellent video once again! I do have a few question if you don't mind answering. 1. Is the waterproofing clear or colored? I assume it's on the side with contact towards the soil and or facing the driveway? 2. Do you have any material on how to determine the slope, string placement, and or when to do the block step ups? You have so much material in this one video I had to watch it twice and constantly rewind to study what you just said. Keep up the great content!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

It's not clear waterproofing. It's cementitious

[@pimpslapper0330]

Nice work--very clean and stout looking wall!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you!

[@strong4865]

Nice to see it done proper after retiring and living overseas now 10 years .what they use is a clear plastic tube put water in it that is the level lmao .. nice job - i did some onld churches on america over 100 years old the concrete is a nightmare to break

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

I've seen that technique

[@strong4865]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete it works i guess ls , but a lazer level is nice , just saying - or even a simple power saw :) i started concrete early 80s america , where we had to off load dump truks of number 5 or 8 by hand ----- sure did love the first bobcat i saw -

[@tikitraveler1881]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. You mentioned waterproofing the backside of the wall, what do you recommend to use as waterproofing? I thought I heard on this video or maybe another of your videos that you used a stick on waterproofing material. Also, is there a specific reason that you don't put mortar between the blocks on the first layer? Thanks!

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Weep holes I used drylock

[@tikitraveler1881]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete Thanks! If you are putting drain pipe behind the wall, do you still need the weep holes?

[@FixerMerlin]

Great looking wall! Just wondering what’s the advantage of laying block like this vs forming and pouring entirely out of concrete?

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Faster and less waste

[@galleria100fuegocuidadsate4]

@@OdellCompleteConcrete MISSING... TEH BLOCKS SHOULD BE FILL WITH CONCRETE , TEH GRAVEL USED IN THIS JOB FOR TEH FUNDATION ISNT THE ONE NEEDED .

[@AlMai222]

Best concrete work in California no CAP 🤜🤛

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

TY

[@robertdrnsdad4399]

great looking wall. Nice work. It would have been nice to see the water proofing though. I read where you used drylock. I suppose you just rolled it on all the way down to the footer.

[@rzjk301]

Awesome work.

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you!

[@Daffodil956]

Wow super duper quality work👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@OdellCompleteConcrete]

Thank you so much 😀