RETAINING WALLS
MAIN CHARACTERISTICS
■ Exposed to the elements, such as wind, rain, frost, etc.;
■ Not exposed to a heat source;
■ High level of saturation;
■ Often in contact with de-icing salts.
In addition to usually being exposed to de-icing salts, retaining walls, just like chimneys and parapets, are often exposed to elements such as wind and rain. Furthermore, they are exposed to a large number for freeze-thaw cycles without much protection.
As mentioned in the CSA A 179 Standard, when building a new masonry retaining wall, it is necessary to use a mortar with higher compressive strengths since this type of wall is exposed to a high level of saturation. A mortar with higher compressive strengths is also recommended for restoring retaining walls.
Recommendations
FOR LAYING MASONRY UNITS OR REPOINTING
■ For walls built before 1975: King® HLM-500
■ For walls built after 1975: King® MasonMix 600 or King® 1-1-6 or King® 2-1-9
