How to Level Wall Block

In this video we talk about how to level retaining wall block to ensure that your wall is going to be completely level from one course to the next. This is an incredibly crucial step in your wall build. We always screed a layer of HPB or 1/4" chip stone on top of our base for our retaining walls to make our job much easier in leveling each wall block.
After screeding, we use a string line to follow and start to level our blocks. We use a torpedo level and a deadblow hammer to level each block and making sure each wall block is level to one another.
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Torpedo Level:
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Deadblow Hammer:
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[@lovetheprophets]

This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much! If you had blocks that are solid and some with cavities, I assume we should use the solid ones when building the first course, or it doesn’t matter.

[@iamahardscaper]

I was going to message you with the link to this video.
Doesn’t matter, solid blocks are usually the corner units. You fill in the cavities as you build with base material

[@slowrider30]

Awesome

[@iamahardscaper]

Thank you 👍

[@macleary2000]

could you add a link to the exact blocks you used? Main wall and top shelf? It's beautiful, I wanted to look for this possibly. Great videos btw, well explained without alot of wasted time.

[@iamahardscaper]

Thank you! This is Mini Creta by Techo Bloc

[@jasoncopeland781]

Great video. I was searching acceptable ways to shim the block in courses above the base block. I was told to shim with pennies or washers as the block can be inconsistent in height. I bought some plastic and composite (like composite decking material). I'm needing to shim a corner likely due to setting the base less than level and not catching it. I need to shim one block almost 3/16". Is it common to do this, or would a professional want to remove the adhesive and reset the first course?

[@iamahardscaper]

That is a bit much for what I would be willing. I probably would correct anything over 1/8". but I haven't had this problem for a while now. Most dry cast products by the big manufacturers are pretty good.

[@jasoncopeland781]

Thanks for the quick reply.

[@luismontoya9977]

Love the educational videos man. Do you think geo grid (using blocks with a lip system) cause the blocks to tilt forward just a hair?

[@iamahardscaper]

The Geogrid should extend all the way to the face of the wall (sometimes in commercial projects even slightly in front of the wall just to prove they used geogrid). So there shouldn’t be any tilting

[@luismontoya9977]

Ahhh ok Makes perfect sense thank you!

[@lovetheprophets]

I am confused about the levelling part. When you level the screed bars and the blocks, do you level them taking into account the slope/pitch (1/8") or do you just level them for the sake of being perfectly level. Thanks in advance!

[@iamahardscaper]

In your scenario up the sides where the wall is matching the slope of the patio you would level the screen bars to that slope. But for most retaining walls like the wall on the back end of your patio it would be completely level

[@lovetheprophets]

@@iamahardscaper Thank you so much for the clarification!

[@smrrecordspodcast]

Did you excavate, level your base, and lay your first course of block in just 1 day all by yourself sir????

[@iamahardscaper]

No I’m not that good. On this project I excavated one day, base prep and levelling another, and first course probably day three