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| Loc-a-bloc Wall |
| This retaining wall gives the look of sandstone without the cost. |
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This garden needs help. Not only does it need the magic touch of a green fingered horticulturalist, but also a new retaining wall. The current wall is unattractive and unsafe. Adequate draining is vital for a retaining wall, especially in a steep garden like this, and the current wall doesn't fit the bill.
This steep backyard is bordered by a makeshift sandstone retaining wall and a non-matching brick wall. The makeshift wall will be replaced with a tiered sandstone-looking feature wall from Loc-A-Bloc. The brick wall on the other side of the garden is functional and just in need of a facelift, so that will be matched with a Loc-A-Bloc sandstone veneer.
Loc-A-Bloc has been used commercially over the last 12 years and was originally made to build marine walls. The heavy, dry stack blocks were designed to combat the continuous need for maintenance on marine walls, where the mortar washed away with the tides. Loc-A-Bloc looks just like sandstone, but is actually made of moulded concrete, and it's very heavy.
Loc-A-Bloc are now launching into the consumer market as the product is perfect for retaining and feature walls. The objective of the Loc-A-Bloc system is to create a strong, durable, easy to build and eye pleasing product. It comes in two sizes (400mm and 600mm), but we're using the 400mm long blocks as they're the perfect size for private residences.
Loc-A-Bloc is manufactured to look like natural materials and is available in five shades of sandstone. It has many possibilities in residential areas, including gazebos, pool and spa surrounds, and barbeques. It can be straight, curved or multi-directional.
Our Loc-A-Bloc wall will replace an unattractive, overgrown retaining wall. The finished result will be a tiered retaining wall with a matching brick veneer wall opposite. The wall needs to be cleaned with a Gerni and dried before the veneer is attached with a special glue.
Before the new blocks are layed, the site must be cleared of plants, weeds and topsoil, until solid clay or rock is reached. The firm ground is vital so the wall doesn't wash away with the next heavy rain. Next, reinforced steel footing is placed in the excavated hole. This will include the starter bars which will protrude 600mm vertically out of the footing.
The blocks are dry stacked once the footing is established. We're using six different blocks for this wall, including half blocks, external corners, cappings and relief blocks (with holes for drainage). Drainage is very important so we'll need about four holes to run into a drain at the bottom of the wall. Agpipe and blue metal will be placed at the back of the wall to filter water running into the drain.
Compared to natural stone, Loc-A-Bloc is a cheaper alternative. It costs approximately $200 per square face metre, while stone can cost up to $600 for a similar sized block. Loc-A-Bloc is not a DIY product so a qualified engineer, landscaper or architect should be consulted.
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Cost
Loc-A-Bloc blocks ($192.50 per sq. face metre): $2,535
Capping for both walls ($37.50 per linear metre): $524
Sandstone Veneers ($118.00 per sq. face metre): $712
Additional materials e.g. blue metal, concrete, reinforced steel: $2,000
Labour and hire of equipment: $5,000
(Cost of plants additional)
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Total Cost
$10,771
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More Info
Loc-A-Bloc
Ph: 1800 027 070
www.locabloc.com.au
Loc-A-Bloc is currently available in the Greater Sydney Area only.
Landscaping by Paradise Landscapes Pty Ltd.
Ph: 02 9918 0539
Mbl: 0414 229 722
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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