Building a retaining wall will help you reduce erosion, improve water drainage and create space in the garden. It's a great home improvement project that can be done over a weekend, whether you're a beginner or an expert. Below you will find instructions, tips and tricks for building a retaining wall professionally.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Part 1: Prepare the area to be built
Step 1. Organize the area
Prepare the area where the retaining wall will rise with poles and wires, leveling it to ensure an even weight and using a tape measure to ensure an even length.
- Contact utilities to confirm that there are no pipes or cables in the excavation area. They should do it for free.
- If you want to get a more precise idea, draw a line using a garden hose. Just pass the pipe in the area where you want to raise the wall, taking advantage of its flexibility. Check if the shape created with the tube is actually achievable and aesthetically pleasing. Then use outdoor paint or flour to outline the ground the pipe runs through.
Step 2. Dig
Using a shovel, dig a channel along the line you drew. It should be wider than the blocks you will use for the wall. Make sure it is as even as possible.
You should make enough space to plant the bottom of the blocks at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) for every 8 inches (20.32 cm) of wall height. Also consider the floor layer of solid blocks, which will be installed at the bottom of the channel
Step 3. Compress the bottom and install the blocks
Using a soil compactor tool - you can simply rent it for less than 20 euros - compress the bottom of the canal. Then add 4 to 6 inches (10, 16-15, 24 cm) of blocks or rock dust to the bottom. The solid wood floor is ideal because it is resistant and specially made of gravel to ensure excellent compression.
- Join the blocks so that, once installed, they form a covering that is as uniform as possible.
- Review the floor you just applied with a level once more, making sure the channel is all the same height. If there are any differences in height, add or remove a block.
- Compress the bottom of the channel again, compacting the floor for the last time.
Part 2 of 3: Part 2: Lay the foundation
Step 1. Start laying the foundation
These are the most critical stages in the construction of the wall. If the blocks are not level and do not adequately support the top half of the wall, the whole project will not look professionally done. Make sure the foundation blocks are all even, strong, and snug together.
Step 2. Start at the most visible edge of the wall, adding gravel or crushed stone to level as needed
Add the first block, using a cornerstone. Make sure that everything is leveled from front to back and from side to side.
- Alternatively, if there is no edge that is more visible than the other, start from the edge closest to a structure (usually a house).
- If you are building a linear or rectangular retaining wall, make sure the backs of the blocks are perfectly aligned with each other. If, on the other hand, you are building a wall with a curvilinear pattern, make sure that the fronts of the blocks are perfectly aligned with each other.
Step 3. If necessary, cut the upper protrusion of the blocks
Some prefer to cut the top ledge or groove from the base of the blocks before installing them. Check the strength yourself and cut off the protrusion of the block with a hammer and chisel if necessary.
Keep in mind that the curved wall cannot be built using the grooves for the joints. The interlocking grooves will need to be removed with a hammer and chisel if the block pattern does not bear the groove grooves
Step 4. Use coarse sand and a rubber mallet to level the first layer of blocks to complete the foundation
If you've spent time leveling the base, installing the first row of blocks won't be difficult. Use coarse sand where needed to finish leveling the foundation. Hit the blocks with a rubber mallet.
Step 5. If necessary, to level the first layer, cut a few blocks with a mason's saw to the appropriate length
Always use appropriate protection when servicing.
Step 6. Use crushed stone or gravel to fill the first layer of blocks
This system will provide an excellent support to prevent the lower layer from sliding over time and with erosion.
Step 7. Put a filter cloth on the stuffing material
This will prevent frost swelling and will not mix the soil with the backfill material. Depending on the height of the wall, it is advisable to cover the side of the duct with the fabric, fill the duct with the filling material, to fix the filter fabric, and then cover the filter fabric that comes out of the ground above the filling material..
Step 8. Clean the first layer with a broom, removing dirt and dust
Part 3 of 3: Part 3: Complete the wall
Step 1. Start the second layer by installing a row of blocks so that the top layer is offset from the bottom one
You will have to place each block in this order. For example, if the wall has straight edges at the ends, the next layer should start with a block cut in half.
- Put the blocks on the foundation before applying the adhesive material. See how they look. Check if you need to modify with any cuts before gluing them. Stretch out a full row before moving on to the next step.
- If you are working with blocks that have borders, just line up the female groove on the top of the block with the male on the bottom.
Step 2. After placing a layer, apply the adhesive material to the lower blocks and place on top of the upper block
Press to secure each layer to the one immediately below. Continue like this until the retaining wall is of the desired height.
Step 3. Add drainage pipes to the wall if it is 2 feet (60cm) tall or taller
Look for a perforated pipe and install it under the length of the wall, covering it with breathable stuffing material.
Step 4. Add finishing stones if desired
Finishing stones usually have rectangular shapes which make it difficult to install them on curved retaining walls. If you need to cut the stones to fit the curve of your wall, use this system:
- Place the 1st and 3rd stones in their place.
- Place the 2nd stone over the 1st and 3rd, making marks on the latter where the 2nd stone overlaps.
- Cut the 1st and 3rd stones along the marks you made.
- Put back the 1st and 3rd and place the 2nd between those two.
- Repeat the same operation, placing the 4th stone on the 3rd and 5th.
Step 5. Put a layer of soil in the basin created for the retaining wall
Add plants, vines or flowers to your liking. Your retaining wall is ready to use.
Advice
- While digging, sink the shovel straight to avoid collapsing the surrounding soil.
- If the retaining wall is to be built along a slope, make stepped channels so that only one layer of blocks will be entirely underground. Also, start building it in the lower part.
- Make sure the grout is not too wet, so that the blocks are strong enough.
- To cut a block in half, make a line in the center with a brick chisel. After that place the chisel on the line and hit it with a blacksmith's hammer.
