DIY Blockwork Wall - Sloped Driveway (Footing Question)

[daniellondon]

Completely amateur question - i want to build two parallel block-work walls on my sloped driveway. Usually if you use normal bricks or even sometimes blocks, you can have "steps" / levels; where the bricks gradually get lower and lower, but i want the top of my blockwork to be completely level. So i was thinking at the rear of my driverway, the side closer to my house, the concrete footing could be at ground level, then i can build some wooden formwork so that near the end of the driveway the footing goes above ground level. That way the wall would be relatively shorter at the beginning of the driveway but at least the height would be even. The driveway is 5 metres length and 6 metres width. I have attached a side-view sketch of what i propose, the brown line is the ground level and the grey box is the footing and the yellow are the blocks. Let me know if this is an "ok" idea or if someone has better ideas? 

 

Thanks! 

[Temp]

Make it deeper so none of the footing is above ground. Use engineering bricks below ground. Ideally use low efflorescent bricks to help avoid the white salt appearing on the surface.

[Temp]

PS Remember the 1m height limit next to a highway or you need planning permission.

[Hasteron]

On 11/05/2025 at 17:46, daniellondon said:

Completely amateur question - i want to build two parallel block-work walls on my sloped driveway. Usually if you use normal bricks or even sometimes blocks, you can have "steps" / levels; where the bricks gradually get lower and lower, but i want the top of my blockwork to be completely level. So i was thinking at the rear of my driverway, the side closer to my house, the concrete footing could be at ground level, then i can build some wooden formwork so that near the end of the driveway the footing goes above ground level. That way the wall would be relatively shorter at the beginning of the driveway but at least the height would be even. The driveway is 5 metres length and 6 metres width. I have attached a side-view sketch of what i propose, the brown line is the ground level and the grey box is the footing and the yellow are the blocks. Let me know if this is an "ok" idea or if someone has better ideas? 

Later on I ended up finishing part of the wall near the house with some interior-facing detail, and used this eclectic wallpaper peel and stick from https://fancywalls.eu/wallpaper-pattern/eclectic-wallpaper/ on a small garage wall nearby. Totally optional, of course, but it added a nice contrast to all the blockwork — honestly just sharing in case you end up doing anything decorative indoors.

Thanks! 

Not an expert either, but I actually tackled something pretty similar for a retaining wall along my sloped garden path. Your idea sounds totally reasonable. I did almost the same thing with stepped footings to keep the block height level across a slope. In my case, I poured the footing in sections using formwork that followed the slope, but made sure the top edge of the blocks stayed level. It took a bit more time to measure and plan, but it made everything look so much cleaner in the end.

One thing I learned the hard way: make absolutely sure your footing is solid and wide enough, especially toward the downhill side. Mine started to shift ever so slightly after heavy rain because I underestimated drainage. Also, if you're doing the pour in sections, make sure to key the footing joins together somehow so you don’t get cracks later. I’d also recommend checking the slope with a string line or laser level before you start pouring — saves a lot of second guessing once you start laying blocks.