Building A Low Stone Retaining Wall

A wall that leans into the soil it retains is less likely to be pushed outward by soil pressure than a plain old vertical wall.
Building a low stone retaining wall. Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits. Using a tape measure decide the length and the width of your retaining wall then mark off the area with the garden stakes and string. Design and build your retaining wall to slope at a minimum rate of. Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide.
Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding. This tutorial is designed for beginners interested in building stone retaining walls using a dry stack method but it also works for retaining block and flagstone walls. Use a hand or power tamper to level the base. The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing like mortared walls do.
For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall. To create a solid foundation dig a trench for the first course of your interlocking retaining wall blocks to sit in and make sure the ground remains even throughout. Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time. For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide.
Simply mark your stone at the desired size and cut. With its diamond blade it cuts the stones pretty easily. Other materials that could be used for such a project include landscape timbers railroad ties and cinder blocks. Plan for good drainage proper width height ratio and distance between tiers.
The success of your retaining wall depends on a level base. It s a great home improvement project that can be completed in a weekend whether you re a novice or an old hand. That s where the wet saw comes into play. The wet saw is the perfect tool to rent when building a retaining wall.
The following is a. To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site. Anything taller should be handled by professionals. Building a retaining wall will help reduce erosion improve water drainage and create usable garden space.