How To Build A Large Retaining Wall – Storage wall blocks are really hard. You don’t want to double up. Learn how to build a solid wall the first time.
Each editorial product is selected independently, although we may be paid or receive an affiliate commission if you purchase something through our links. Prices and prices are correct and items are in stock at time of publication.
How To Build A Large Retaining Wall
Anyone with a strong back can stack a bunch of blocks and build a nice stone retaining wall. But it takes skill and planning to build an impressive wall that can withstand high pressure, withstand gravity, hold up for decades, and laugh at Mother Nature.
Types Of Retaining Wall Materials
That’s the kind of wall we wanted to learn how to build, so we worked with some landscaping professionals. They showed us a solid foundation, proper drainage, and proper equipment for the job. They shared some helpful tips they’ve picked up over the years.
The trench in which the retaining wall will be built should be wide, deep, and level. Size the trench so that there is enough space for the block and at least 8 inches of space behind it. Dig deep enough to completely bury at least the entire course, including room for 6 to 8 inches of base material. Establish a level trench to ensure an even layer of base material. This will help prevent the wall from bending after a freeze/thaw cycle. Our experts use a laser level and a story line to determine the depth of the trench.
Compact the soil at the bottom of the trench with a hand rammer or vibrating plate. This step is often overlooked. A backhoe, along with hand shovels, can disturb and loosen the top inch or two of soil, and that’s enough for your wall to settle—settlement is bad!
Our experts choose crushed stone for the foundation instead of natural quarried gravel. Crushed stone is very expensive. However, it provides better water and, due to the sharp angles of the stone, it needs less pressure and when it is combined, it stays that way.
Retaining Wall On A Slope
Joe and Jake have found that 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch crushed stone is best suited to handle the uplift forces created by the rare freeze/thaw cycles here in Minnesota. Avoid rounded stones such as pea gravel or river stones; they do not cross bonds that are as solid as a cornerstone.
Leave the stone no more than 1/2 inch higher than you want the final height to be, then make a couple passes with a hand rammer or joint plate. You will notice that the stone is almost 100 percent consolidated as soon as it is placed in the trench. The same type of stone will be used for filling, eliminating the need to transport different materials.
Use a torpedo level to level each block front to back and a 4 or 6 foot level to keep each course level and even. Place the blocks with a hard plastic or rubber mallet. Finding a flat and level starting course is very important, so take your time. Try to place the course as close to the center of the groove as possible.
Even a small pebble on the surface of the block will not move well what is on it. And that curved block will affect the one above it, and so on. This small stone can eventually create an unsightly hump at the top.
Building A Landscape Retaining Wall
If the wall is uphill, continue each base course up the hill until the top of the second course is on grade, then start your second course at that point. If you have the option, it may be easier to dig and lay the lowest course before digging the trench in the next step, especially if you have to go up several times. Save yourself money and install the lowest style / color that matches the style of the wall (usually gray) in the lower course because it will not be seen.
Keeping the water in the wall is a very important part of building a stone wall. Once a few rows have been stacked, fill the wall with stone to match the height of the grade in front of the wall, then place a perforated drain tile on top of the stone. Install drain tees and drain pipes every 25 to 50 feet, depending on how much rainwater is expected to run down the wall. Cut the block for the exhaust grate. Scratch the pieces of pipe tile so they don’t separate when covered with more stones. Also, use tile to daylight the ends of the walls when possible.
These solid blocks are heavy. Lighter, hollow blocks are available, but they cannot be split because cutting them will reveal holes. Also, some empty blocks require individual filling, which takes a lot of time. These tools prefer Versa-Lok blocks, which are held in place by screws instead of the bottom lip because the fixed blocks work better when turning and the flat bottom makes it easier to pack. They also found that the thin back lip of some blocks is prone to cracking, which will weaken the wall.
If the end of the block will be visible and you want it to match other rough areas, use a block spacer.
Cheap Retaining Wall Ideas
Use a chainsaw like this one to make a smooth cut. This saw can cut with or without water. Water removes dust but creates a dirty suspension that can permanently stain areas such as driveways and sidewalks. If you do not use water, make sure that dust does not enter the house or a neighbor’s house.
These experts like soapstone because lines made with pencils and grease markers can remain visible for a long time, while soapstone is washed away by rain. The downside is that soap doesn’t work well on wet blocks. You can get these pencils from online retailers.
Stagger the overlap and try to keep the butt connection between the blocks as tight as possible. Large ponds can create waterways and sediment. Whatever type of block you use, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Versa-Lok recommends assembling the base stone as you backfill, but refer to the installation instructions for the type of block you are using. Backfill 8 to 10 inches below the surface of the rock. This will allow enough space for dirt and grass.
Guest Post: 4 Benefits Of Retaining Walls
Protect keystones with a special landscape block adhesive, which is flexible over time. Make sure the blocks are dry before applying the adhesive. The stones range from 1 to 1-1/2 inches. Joe and Jake used a scrap 2×4 as a guide.
If you are building retaining walls, set each level back far enough to prevent the weight and pressure of the upper wall from destroying the one below. A general rule of thumb is to separate wall levels by a distance of not less than twice the height of the lowest wall. So if the lower wall is 4 feet tall, the upper wall should be built at least 8 feet behind it.
Walls taller than 4 feet will require a building permit and plan from a licensed engineer. The engineer will specify the width and depth of the foundation, how deep the foundation should be buried, and whether a geogrid (soil reinforcement system) should be used.
Joe Blakeborough (right) owns and operates Blakeborough Hardscapes in Lake Lake, MN, with the help of his younger brother, Jake (left). They lead several staff who specialize in block and stone retaining walls, masonry projects, outdoor spaces and other services.
How To Build A Stone Retaining Wall
We no longer support IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide a site experience for browsers that support the latest web standards and security practices. ReCon® Retaining Wall Systems, manufactured and supplied by Strescon, are the industry leader in quality and aesthetic retaining walls. solutions Its large size and unique tongue and groove design allows long gravity walls and long reinforced geogrid walls to be designed. Made of waterproof concrete that is resistant to the elements, the walls can be built quickly due to the size of the blocks without the need for large or special equipment.
The blocks are of various depths to maximize design efficiency and the natural stone finish is aesthetically pleasing on a scale suitable for gardens and commercial developments to the largest transport and infrastructure projects. Double-sided wire blocks, stones, steps, curves and 90-degree corners can be made using the ReCon system to meet the needs of any area.
Walls of great weight and great weight. The unique tongue and groove locking and placement design, combined with great size and weight, allows wall heights of up to 5.28 m (17 ft 4 in) without geogrid reinforcement.
Strength Made of air-entrained wet concrete. Resilience required in areas prone to freeze/thaw cycle challenges, road salts or brackish water.
How To Build Stronger Retaining Walls
Fast Installation Walls can be built quickly using common materials
How to build a brick retaining wall, how to build a paver retaining wall, how to build retaining wall steps, how to build block retaining wall, how to build a rock retaining wall, how to build a steel retaining wall, how to build a wood retaining wall, how to build retaining wall, how to build small retaining wall, how to build a large retaining wall, how to build a stone retaining wall, how to build a tall retaining wall
