Concrete blocks and stone are two of the most common materials used for DIY retaining wall construction. Concrete blocks are manufactured in standard sizes and shapes and provide a more uniform, formal appearance, while stone retaining walls have a natural, random appearance that blends well in informal settings. Before starting to construct any retaining wall it is essential to carry out some ground work.
Ground preparation
To prepare the base or footer on which the retaining wall is to be built, level and compress the soil. An inch or two of fine sand may be added to cover the tamped soil, but this is not essential. To assist with soil retention and drainage, a slotted draining pipe should be laid at this stage of construction and gravel may be added behind the wall when construction is complete.
Plan for materials needed
To calculate the number of concrete blocks to be used, multiply the height of the wall by its length and divide by .75; this is the minimum number of blocks needed and it is best to buy a few spare blocks to allow for damage during construction. Natural stone is purchased by weight; each cubic foot of wall volume will weigh about 125 pounds. Materials for even a small stone or concrete block wall are likely to weigh at least a ton, and it is prudent to arrange delivery to the site.
If you are doing a stone retaining wall construction, the formula is B x H x W x 125. "B" stands for base, "H" stands for Height and "W" stands for Width. After multiplying these figures, you must finalize the equation by multiplying 125. The resulting figure will be quite large, so you should think about having your blocks delivered.
Laying the wall blocks or stones
For a stronger and more professional looking structure, you should stagger the block or stone. For a wall that will be a finished height of four feet or less, you can gravity stack it. A gravity stack uses no adhesive between the blocks. A concrete wall can be capped for a more finished top layer. Use concrete adhesive to secure the caps.
Randomly lay the stone wall, using stones of different thickness on each layer. Using an extra thick rock here and there makes for a studier wall. Be sure to reserve the flattest stones to cap your wall. It looks nicer and stabilizes the structure. No added drainage is necessary with stone. Stone walls contain natural cracks for water to drain through. Finish the wall by putting landscaping cloth on the side you are going to back fill to keep the soil from staining the front surface.
Ground preparation
To prepare the base or footer on which the retaining wall is to be built, level and compress the soil. An inch or two of fine sand may be added to cover the tamped soil, but this is not essential. To assist with soil retention and drainage, a slotted draining pipe should be laid at this stage of construction and gravel may be added behind the wall when construction is complete.
Plan for materials needed
To calculate the number of concrete blocks to be used, multiply the height of the wall by its length and divide by .75; this is the minimum number of blocks needed and it is best to buy a few spare blocks to allow for damage during construction. Natural stone is purchased by weight; each cubic foot of wall volume will weigh about 125 pounds. Materials for even a small stone or concrete block wall are likely to weigh at least a ton, and it is prudent to arrange delivery to the site.
If you are doing a stone retaining wall construction, the formula is B x H x W x 125. "B" stands for base, "H" stands for Height and "W" stands for Width. After multiplying these figures, you must finalize the equation by multiplying 125. The resulting figure will be quite large, so you should think about having your blocks delivered.
Laying the wall blocks or stones
For a stronger and more professional looking structure, you should stagger the block or stone. For a wall that will be a finished height of four feet or less, you can gravity stack it. A gravity stack uses no adhesive between the blocks. A concrete wall can be capped for a more finished top layer. Use concrete adhesive to secure the caps.
Randomly lay the stone wall, using stones of different thickness on each layer. Using an extra thick rock here and there makes for a studier wall. Be sure to reserve the flattest stones to cap your wall. It looks nicer and stabilizes the structure. No added drainage is necessary with stone. Stone walls contain natural cracks for water to drain through. Finish the wall by putting landscaping cloth on the side you are going to back fill to keep the soil from staining the front surface.
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