The following is a list of most frequently asked questions about Allan Block products and installation. If you don’t find the answer to your question, please leave your comment/question in the box at the bottom of the page.
Wall Rock vs. Drain Pipe
Finding an Allan Block Product that Fits
Certify Me!
Available Colors
Picking a Compactor
Talking Money
Low Retaining Wall Products
Clean it up!
Face Drain
Lighting Up Your Landscape
Building a Raised Patio
Wall Rock Requirements
Rock Type
Warranty
Trees and Retaining Walls
These are some wonderful products we use them in our company all the time.
I am building a low (1 1/2 foot) circular garden wall around a small tree. The outside dimensions are 8 feet.
Using the Garden Accent a perfect fitting circle (i.e. all sides fit tightly, with wide edges out), has a diameter of about 62 inches.
However, in order to make an 96 in. diameter wall I need to have a small gap (about 1″) between the blocks on the inside edge; The cap block can be manipulated somewhat by reversing the occasional cap. Is there any way around this to avoid having the gap and/or should one mortar in the spaces?
Wayne
The Garden Accent block turns a radius similar to that of our large block, by keeping the front face tight and opening up the back face. The back face is typically covered with drainage rock, earth or landscape mulch. Typically, no grout or mortar is used to fill the backside openings.
For capping, if you want the caps tight together from side to side, you will need to cut them to fit. This again is the same process as for our large blocks. You can check out the installation information on garden accent here
Thanks very much. With a little experience in fitting the blocks and flexability in the radius the fitting is going much better. Hopefully can get away without any cutting, but will do if needbe.
Wayne
i got AB Courtyard Collection
it is the best just order more
but now look for fireplace.
i have a fire box can i use
AB Courtyard Collection to buld
a fireplace if so can u tell me
where in can find directions
thank
Currently we do not have a How-To Sheet put together for building a fireplace. This type of project should be installed by a professional certified contractor. And depending on your design could be something as simple as a modified post on top of your fire box, with a veneer.
I have a 5ft high x 25ft. retaining wall to build that will have a staircase in the middle of it. I’d like to have posts on either side of the staircase and each end of the wall. If I build posts out of the courtyard collection (reinforced with the interior cement pillar)and mix it with the AB retaining wall system will the posts have the stability required since the main purpose is a 5ft retaining wall?
We want to build the firepit that is featured on you site. Are the blocks fire resistant as we do not want to put the metal frame in.
I have the same question, can the AB York block be directly exposed to the fire without damaging the block? Also, the how to sheet # 360 indicates the diameter is 81″, is that outside or inside? Can I stretch the diameter outside to 90″? Finally, what is the size of the AB block and the cap? I am assuming from the photos on the project sheet, they are somewhere around 7″ wide,8″ long and 8″ high for the block and 4″ high, 8″ long and 9″wide?
Thanks!
RWW
Standard masonry block is not intended to be directly next to fire. If the design calls for the block to be directly next to fire, a barrier of fire rated brick should be used between the fire and the masonry block.
How-to Sheet #130, Building Curves & Serpentines, shows the 81″ outside radius as the minimum and How-to Sheet #100, Block Shapes, gives all the AB Courtyard block sizes.
I am thinking of building all block stairs down the side of my property. I can use the house as one side of the step. I am inquiring about the other side can I use 18inch corners for that and place the next block ontop of 6 inchs of the corner block. Is the cap stone enough of a run for a regular step. I have read that the caps are 12 inchs front to back or should I put a small paving stone in there.
We have Allan Block on our front steps that were done about 5 years ago…All the caps have all eroded and in pieces everywhere…what a mess. Is there any warranty on this product.
You will want to check with the local manufacturer on this. If you do not know who the manufacturer for your area is, Allan Block Can refer you, simple send them an email at info@allanblock.com.
I would like to build the above ground pound.What are the size and weight of the AB York block that is used for this project. I’m trying to determine if this is something that I can do myself
The AB York block weighs approximately 23 lbs, this may vary by manufacturer but should give you a ballpark for estimating.
We are installing a AB Collection in Charcoal-Brown. It has been raining and we really like the way look wet…..richer brown richer charcoal….will look great with an deep brown ipe deck.
How can we keep them looking saturated with water? Will a sealer keep a wet look??? Thoughts?
Thank you Paul
Paul,
Thanks for the question! You can use a sealer to create that wet look you are looking for – however once you introduce a sealer to the blocks keep in mind that you will need to reapply periodically to keep the wall looking its best. So if this added maintance is not a problem, talk to your local dealer to get a recommendation on a sealer that will create the look you are going for.
I had an Allan Block wall and steps installed almost 2 years ago. I live in a cold and snowy climate and I use calcium chloride to melt the ice and snow from the steps. Recently, I’ve noticed on a few of the steps the concrete is deteriorating and chipping away in chunks. The question is: does the usee of calcium chloride affect the concrete and cause it to deteriorate the way it is?
Already been reading your blog posts for several. Want to let you know I absolutely love your site. Kudos!
My dealer doesn’t do allen block no more. Could you tell me who will handle the Florida area? I live in the Crystal River area. I can’t seem to find anybody…HELP
Every time I see blogs as good as this because I should stop bludging and start working on mine.Thanks
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your
post to my blog?
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!! Will come back again – taking you feeds also, Thanks.
Hello. Great job. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
Nice post! GA is also my biggest earning. However, it’s not a much.
thanks !! very helpful post!
amazing stuff thanx
i mistakenly came upon your webpage while hunting for something else.fascinating report.whilst i wasnt hunting for this..perfectly done.the idea you’re making is debatable but a powerful one nevertheless.
We had an Allan Block wall installed about 18 months ago and certain blocks are getting what appears to be rust stains (streaks and splotches). Neighbors in the area do not have this problem so it’s not due to iron in the water. What could be causing this and how can it be fixed? Thank you.
This sounds like there might be a bit of metal that was mixed into the concrete during the manufacturing process. This can sometimes occur if there is metals in the natural products used to make the concrete. Unfortunately there is not much you can do to clean the area, as it will keep “rusting” until the metal has been leached out. You could try chiseling the area out to remove the spot or even replacing the block if possible. Otherwise it may be something you will jusr need to maintain until it works its way out of the block.
at what height is a fence required at the top of the retaining wall for safety?
I’m considering building a low (1ft high) but very long (220ft) block wall along the edge of my property, where both sides of the wall will be visible. The property slopes down about 10ft over the full length. If the wall is only 1 or 2 blocks high, stepping the blocks to make sections that are level will look choppy. Is it ok to install the blocks directly on slope? Any pictures of this? Also, are some block styles better than others for this application? Thanks.
I am building a retaining wall using AB Classic. It will use a different number of left or right hand corner blocks as there is a step in the wall to follow grade between the two corners. How do I distinguish the difference between a right hand and left hand block so that I orger the correct material?
I see design of retaining walls up to 6′-0″ tall. What if we need to go 10′-0″ high with this wall system?
Are there any Design Guidelines for this height wall?
I am looking to build a wall 4 blocks high and 5 feet in diamater. how do i calculate the number of blocks and cap stones to complete the 5 foot circle
The Allan Block Estimating tools work wonders on determining the amount of blocks, caps and other materials you need. Download the free tools
for retaining walls or or free standing walls at allan block’s website.
I NEED TO BUILD A WALL WITH AN OUTSIDE CORNER THAT IS ABOUT 75 DEGREES. DO YOU HAVE A METHOD THAT I CAN USE TO DO THAT? THE WEB SITE DOESN’T SEEM TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
THANKS
Ideally a curved wall would be the best option in this case. However if you must use a corner and a 90 degree one will not work you can use a mitered corner. See the tech sheet on cutting blocks for more details.
Am I able to cut the allan blocks in half? The wall that I am building (30 feet in length by 3 feet height) starts at the foundation of my house, and I need a half block, so I don’t stack the blocks on top of each other, yet still want the wall being flush with my foundation. What kind of saw do I get (rent) if I am able to cut them.
Cutting blocks can be accomplished by using a masonry saw with a diamond blade. See information on Allan Block’s website for details on cutting blocks. You may also want to consider using a hald block such as an AB Jumbo Junior or an AB Palermo as an alternative to cutting.
I am a homeowner who wants Allan Block. How do I find someone who installs your product? The nearest AB dealer is about 100 miles from my residence.
They best way to find a local installer is to contact your local manufacturer of Allan Block. They will be able to give you a recommendation of a certified AB contractor in your area. If you need help finding your manufacturer, ask Allan Block at info@allanblock.com.
What is the white staining on my blocks and how do I get rid if it?
According to the NCMA (National Concrete Masonry Association) Eflorescence is a deposit of soluble salts and bases usually white in color that sometimes appear on the surfaces of the blocks. You can remove it by dry brushing and washing with water. If this does not work, a dilute solution of muriatic acid may be available at your hardscape supplier.
If we would like to install a concrete modular retaining wall on a slope, using Allan Blocks, is using the step-up method required, or can the wall follow the contour of the slope?
Thanks!
The “step up” method is preferable because the wall will look a lot nicer than a wall built following a rolling grade. If you follow the contours the joints between block will have gaps which again will not be as attractive as the nice tight joints between blocks that are placed level to each other. It’s a little more work but the end result will be well worth the effort.
I need to find a dealer close to my home in Victorville, ca. I need to match an existing Allen block wall.
Can you help?
Thanks,
Hi and thank you for your interest in Allan Block Products. you may visit our webist http://www.allanblock.com click on where to buy and enter your zip code to find a dealer close to you.
We’ve built a number of walls using the Allan Block Ashlar Collection. They create a very beautiful and unique wall. Here are a few photos of jobs we’ve done using this variety of Allan Blocks;
1) Two Terraced AB Ashlar Walls
2) Small AB Ashlar Wall / Raised Bed
3) Combo of Two AB Walls – One Ashlar, One Classic.
We appreciate all the effort AB puts in to making your walls look very unique and appealing. Thanks!
Retaining Walls Portland
These are some nice projects. Thank you for sharing.
Is the same corner blocks used for both the six degree wall and twelve degree wall in the AB Classic collection? Started a six degree wall and I don’t like the way the corner block appears — doesn’t appear to be undercut on the short face so that it lines up properly with the wall blocks.
You do use the same corner but the notch on the bottom of the short side is not formed at the factory and must be saw cut prior to installation.
Thanks,
How can we use the courtyard product to make decent looking corners if the walls are at slight angles to each other?
Courtyard corners are meant to be used to make 90 degree corners. If the walls are at a slight angle as you are saying, attempting to make a 90 degree angle will require a great deal of cutting which can complicate the project more so than it is worth. it is recommended to build your wall using curves.
Flowing curves and serpentines are aesthetically more desirable and are built without having to cut blocks. Using our how to video or step by step instructions found at allanblock.com you should be able to build and complete your wall in one weekend.
I have just built a wall around the base of my cottage with AB Junior blocks. Everything went well and it looks great except for the corners of the cap stones.
Do you manufacture “AB Junior cap stone corners”? If not, how do you recommend cutting the regular cap stones for the corners?
Thanks,
Neil S Crawford
Hi,
Glad to hear you’re happy with the wall you built. Capping curves and corners can be tricky but with Allan Block it can’t be easier. I recommend you visit our website http://www.allanblock.com for detailed information about installing Allan Block products. To be more specific to your question go to finising the wall section to see how to cap curves and corners and other options about finising the wall.
Hope that helps.
I am trying to build a large sweeping curved wall that will be visible on both sides using your Garden Accent blocks. The bottom course is perfect but when I lay the second course I can not get the blocks to make the curve and stay true to each other. Your video on curves only shows the Courtyard block with the tabs that need to be broke away. Any tips on that can help me????
Thanks
The AB Garden Accent blocks are very similar to the AB York block from the AB Courtyard Collection in the respect that both sides are finished and both have a long and short side. Since these blocks have this angle integrated into the block, it makes forming curves easy by keeping the long sides out, or alternating the long and short sides to create larger curves and straight walls. With both of these systems I would highly recommend not modifying the block if your site will permit. If you modify the block on the base course, you will be modifying block on every course thereafter. For more information on building AB Garden Walls, the Garden Accent section in the AB Garden Walls Guide describes building curves. For more advance building techniques, you may apply the information from the AB Courtyard Collection. The AB York and AB Garden Accent vary in size, but their construction will be very similar. Here is the AB Courtyard Collection Installation Guide.
I’m having the same problem with my serpentine wall. My second course of Garden Accent blocks starts with half a block so that the seams between courses will not line up. When I get to the curvy parts of my wall, because the second course is offset, I cannot get the blocks to stay true to one another. We’re you able to figure out how to do this?
I am receiving a number of requests for how to incorporate Allan Block landscape wall details (in particular drainage) in a raised deck application with a paving stone surface. This application is fast becoming popular. Specifically, the deck walls would be constructed of AB Classic, AB Jumbo or Europa Wall. Are drainage details needed, if so what or do we assume all the water drains off the pavers down to wall to the ground? How best to tie in the pavers along the edge of the deck wall at the lip?
Might you provide a cross section detail?
Thanks.