Building A Low Stone Retaining Wall

That s where the wet saw comes into play.

Building a low stone retaining wall.

For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide. Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time. For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall. Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.

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. Anything taller should be handled by professionals. It may be necessary to cut some of the stones as the wall comes together.

Use a hand or power tamper to level the base. Building a retaining wall is suitable for diyers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall in most areas. 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. With its diamond blade it cuts the stones pretty easily.

The wet saw is the perfect tool to rent when building a retaining wall. To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site. 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. Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.

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. It s a great home improvement project that can be completed in a weekend whether you re a novice or an old hand. The interlocking retaining wall block can be used to build walls up to 24 to 36 inches high depending on the size of the block. 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. 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. Simply mark your stone at the desired size and cut.