{"id":23622,"date":"2024-08-09T15:31:50","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T14:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/homeowner\/?p=23622"},"modified":"2025-10-15T16:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:12:11","slug":"diy-guide-for-homeowners-laying-secura-lite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/homeowner\/blog\/diy-guide-for-homeowners-laying-secura-lite\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Guide for Homeowners: Laying Secura Lite"},"content":{"rendered":"

Planning a \u2018do it yourselfer\u2019?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on how to create a stunning and durable Secura Lite<\/a> retaining wall in your garden! <\/span>Fantastic for DIY enthusiasts, Secura Lite<\/a> is a mortar-free, dry building product. These bricks are held together by gravity, using the weight of their own mass to stay together. This means it is incredibly easy to install and perfect for smaller walling projects at home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you’re looking to enhance your garden’s aesthetics through the addition of raised flowerbeds, or you want to create level ground on a small, sloped landscape, Tobermore\u2019s Secura retaining wall offers a solution that combines elegance with functionality. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the entire process of building your own Secura Lite<\/a> retaining wall, from planning and preparation to the final touches. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get ready to transform your outdoor space with Tobermore!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: <\/span><\/b>Trench Excavation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Excavate trench to a minimum of 180mm depth and 600mm width.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2<\/span><\/b> : <\/span>Lay foundation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Lay a level foundation across the width of the trench using fully compacted grounding material (approved granular sub base material created using recycled crushed concrete and rubble).\u00a0 Use a hand pummel or plate compactor to ensure a level base.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The typical depth of the base should be 100mm after compaction.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: <\/span><\/b>Add base course<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

To ensure a level base course, the rear nibs of the blocks must be removed using a bolster and a club hammer. Once the nib has been removed, place the blocks on the foundation with a 2mm gap between each block, using a string line along the back of the blocks to check for alignment.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 4: <\/span><\/b>Drainage (only if required)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most small walls do not require drainage, however if this is required simply lay a perforated drainage pipe to the rear of the base course. <\/span>The pipe should connect to a suitable soak away or outlet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"retaining
Tobermore Secura Lite, Bracken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Step 5: <\/span><\/b>Backfill the drainage zone<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Fill the space in front of the base course with soil and then cover the drainage pipe with 10mm single sized drainage aggregate. <\/span>Please ensure that you compact soil in the base course. Use a hand pummel or plate compacter to fully compact the soil.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 6: <\/span><\/b>Ensure each course is level<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Use a brush to remove debris between courses and use a spirit level to ensure blocks are level across their length and from front to back of the product.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 7: <\/span><\/b>Lay additional courses<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When adding another course of the wall, place the block down and push it forward until the nib of the block tightly fits against the blocks beneath. Ensure that all joints in the next course are staggered against the joints in the base course. Vertical joints should not directly line up between courses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*Make sure to use a spirit level on every course to ensure the wall remains level.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 8: <\/span><\/b>Drainage zone and backfill<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Continue building your wall while repeating the process of backfilling and compacting every 2-3 courses. If drainage was added, please ensure that after the second course is placed, the blocks have been backfilled with 10mm single-sized drainage aggregate. Do not compact the drainage aggregate. Once the wall is completed cover the drainage aggregate with soil.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 9: <\/span><\/b>Add copings<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Using a concrete construction grade adhesive and a cartridge gun, apply a generous amount of adhesive to block and place copings on top.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Important notes:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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  • Secura Lite <\/span>is ideal for walls with a maximum retained height of 880mm above ground. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    • Secura walling comes in 3 blended colour options and includes a range of three sizes. Please ensure you randomly select all three sizes and mix the blocks throughout the building process from a minimum of three packs to achieve the perfect colour blend.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      If you prefer to have something visual to follow, be sure to check out our animation on how to build Secura Lite<\/a> walling!<\/span><\/p>\n