Building a Retaining
Wall
Step by Steps instructions for Building a
Retaining Wall
By: Mark J. Donovan
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Does your yard have a significant
slope on it? Is the slope so steep that it is difficult to enjoy your yard? A
great solution to this problem is to build a retaining wall.
Creating a Plan
for the Retaining wall
Building a retaining wall starts with
creating a landscaping plan for your yard. The plan should show how you want to
use the yard and where the retaining wall should go. The plan should also show
the required height of the retaining wall. You will also need to rent a laser
transit and a bobcat tractor with a backhoe, or similar heavy equipment, to ease
in the earth movement.
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To determine the required height of
the retaining wall you should a laser transit to determine the height of the
wall.
Building the
Retaining Wall
Using the bobcat tractor cut into the
sloped hill and level the earth with the backhoe of the bobcat.
Next use the tractor’s backhoe
apparatus to dig a footing for the retaining walls foundation. Make sure the
footing is below the frost grade for your area.
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Photo by: Mark Donovan |
Once you have completed the footing
hole, fill it with crushed stone and compact it with the backhoe or a plate
compactor. This will ensure a stable footing base to support the retaining wall.
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Using concrete landscaping blocks,
place a row of them along the top of the footing. Use a level or a string to
ensure they are level along the entire length of the retaining wall.
Apply a second row of concrete
landscaping blocks, making sure to stagger them relative to the lower row.
Stagger them such that the middle of the upper block sits above the seam of the
two lower blocks.
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Once you have a couple of rows in
place, install a 4” perforated PVC pipe behind the blocks. Lay the pipe into a
bed of crushed stone as this will help to ensure proper drainage behind the
retaining wall.
Continue to install additional rows
of concrete landscaping blocks to the desired height of the retaining wall.
Once you have completed the
installation of concrete landscaping blocks, backfill the retaining wall with
earth material.
Apply topsoil to the filled in area
behind the retaining wall and grass seed. With that you have completed building
a retaining wall.
Building a retaining wall is a fairly
straight forward project, however it can be back breaking work so make sure to
rent the heavy equipment. You will save yourself a lot of time and a lot of
muscle ache
Find a Pre-Screened Landscaping Contractor in Your Area
Planning to have a Brick or Paver Walkway Installed
by a Landscaping Contractor
but not sure what questions to ask to ensure you hire the right one? See HomeAdditionPlus.com's
Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet. The
Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet
will help ensure that your walkway project goes smoothly and you get the
finished walkway you are looking for.
How to Finance your
New Home Project
- LendingTree's
Home Equity Loans
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if
financing is required.
Additional Brick Paver Walkway Resources
Walkway Lighting and Key Walkway Installation
Tools from Amazon.com
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