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I have an old brick retaining wall, which I removed some and need to fill in again. Quote to re brick was expensive, so thought I would tackle it myself. I intend to cover all the wall in corten steel as have this in other parts of garden. Wondering if I can use
Brighton Masonry 390 x 190 x 90mm Besser Blocks instead of bricks, as would be quicker & need less. Area is only 3m x 1.7m i need to use the besser bricks ch the corten cladding over all the wall. Any hints? Advice welcome.
I have no experience in bricking, but presume I would need to lay a concrete base, trench for blocks.
Hi @Cherry
I have faith in you to rebuild that wall . If I can offer some simple steps.
Or you can simply sit the bricks behind the steel and garden dirt will lock them into place eventually. 
All your really need is some sand and cement premixed bags x 5 should be enough for your project. mix it by hand (small shovel garden trowel in a small wheel barrow or large plastic bucket) Hammer, lump of timber as a straight edge.
WEAR Gloves so you can touch the concrete mix at need.
Looks like you have in the old wall 2 levels of common bricks I would use the same bricks to match the wall height easier. Also the spacing between the old brick work and new will perfectly match standard brick sizes no cutting required. Bessers I lov em but different dimentions to regular bricks so use common bricks yes you will need two layers or three if i am not seeing right and they will line up all going well.
Enough bricks (See the old part of wall and count them up to fit your space)
- Dishwashing like gloves ( latex gloves wont survive long ) Garden gloves will get saturated and not block cement water contact.
-Mixing bucket
-garden trowel
- hammer to tap bricks into place
- piece of timber 1 metre long (or equivilent) to tap bricks down and use as a straight edge.
Lay the bricks out on the grass to practice building your wall no cement yet/ See how it fits together?
You can Adjust the brick wall longer or shorter by increasing or decreasing the gaps between the bricks. Lay them out in a practice wall build you will soon see how many too need and there placement.
Normally bricks over lap this means cutting a brick in half ideally, But this is not necessary an a small garden wall just sit them doubled up is perfectly ok.
Ideally move the brick test wall you just laid out behind you on the grass so you will know how its laid out ready to go at cementing time.
Look at your old wall and see the level of the first brick row at both ends
1 Now dig a small brick width trench 50 to 70 mm deep.
2 Mix some concrete with water so it moves like tooth paste, Pour it in a long the full trench slightly high so the first row of bricks will sit on it and squish out the sides.
3 Now add first row bricks off your practice wall adding cement fill to the ends of the bricks using gloved hand (It takes time to use a brickies trowel so eaisier to use gloved hand) Keep adding cement to the brick ends and joining them together quickly ( we will straighten them soon. Perfection not required.
4 Your first layer of bricks are in put the timber on top of your first row (Timber1 metre +or- use your hammer) Or at need use one loose brick over lapping joins, The idea is to tap the bricks level with the original brick work as a guide. If you go to low simple lift that brick add some more cement and relevel.
5 Now use your timber on the side of the brick wall and tap all the bricks into a straight line between the old brick work. Its a garden wall prefection not required.
6 Repeat steps 2 to 5 for the remaining layers.
7 The final top layer the bricks need to be level with the side old walls so add enough mud to lift them up or put timber on top and hammer them down even until you happy the wall straight and even. Remember it dosnt need to be pretty as you are addind the iron infront.
If you have to stop brick work mid build simlpy scrape mortar off the brick work yet to have bricks added make sure wall is straight and level to that point.
8 Any squished out mud along the sides use it to fill any holes alone the morter lines make the wall smooth like original walls.
9 you may wish to fill the top hollow brick holes with mortar so red back spiders cant move in.
10 I would use outdoor liquid nails to glue the corton steel to the wall face pack some items under the steel to lift it up so it matches brick height will glue dries.
Well it seams a lot to do only because i went into deeper detail than usual.
Bricks and cement is forgiving you have and 1 1/2 working time If the cement starts stiffening up simply add a bit more water to regain tooth paste like (not sloppy wet) consistancy/
Hope this helps/
Hello @Cherry
Thanks for sharing your question about rebuilding a brick retaining wall. It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Jewelleryrescue. I totally agree with the steps suggested and please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your project.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to Build a Retaining Wall (some of the techniques used are applicable to your project.)
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
