| Retaining walls are great solutions for a sloping | | | | budget. |
| yard. Pools, patios and play areas all need a solid, | | | | Should you choose the inter-locking stones, there |
| flat surface on which to exist. With the right | | | | are a few items you need before leaving the |
| retaining wall design, your family can enjoy your | | | | landscaping store. To complete the project, you |
| backyard safely. There are a few considerations | | | | will need a shovel, tape measure, wood stake and |
| before beginning a garden or landscape retaining | | | | string, level, wheel barrel, soil tamper, gravel, |
| wall design project. The type of wall you will build | | | | landscaping stones, work gloves and goggles. Be |
| depends on the slope of the ground above the | | | | sure to ask someone at the landscaping store if |
| wall, the type of soil in your yard and how much | | | | you need any additional materials. |
| soil will be weighing down on the wall when it is | | | | Begin your project by digging a trench 8"-10" |
| complete. | | | | deep and 6" wider than the block where you |
| The higher the wall you plan to build, the more | | | | would like the wall to be. Fill the trench with 6" |
| force will be exerted upon it by the hillside the wall | | | | level compacted gravel. Start laying the stones in |
| is retaining. The force could become so great that | | | | the trench and checking each for level from side |
| it will push the hillside over the top of your wall | | | | to side and front to back After the first layer is |
| and crush it. For these reasons, anyone needing | | | | complete, begin laying your second layer of |
| to build a wall higher than four feet should | | | | stones in a running bond pattern. If your first level |
| consider hiring experts. There are a number of | | | | was even, the second should be as well, keep |
| different colors and styles of retaining wall stones. | | | | checking You can use a string to ensure the |
| Before you settle on a final decision for your | | | | stones remain level and straight. After you |
| yard, take a drive around the neighborhood and | | | | completed the first two levels, add drainage pipe |
| see if there are any ideas you could see in your | | | | along backside of first layer of block and cover |
| yard. | | | | with clean washed gravel, backfill the block (unless |
| Most retaining walls are made from wood, natural | | | | solid block is being used) with crushed stone 1/4" |
| stone or concrete. For the beginner, consider the | | | | to 1-1/2" in size with less than 10% fines and fill |
| pre-cast concrete wall stones. These stones are | | | | behind the stones with 12" of same crushed |
| made with a lip on the back that locks them | | | | stone. Continue placing the stones until you have |
| together without any mortar. The stones | | | | reached the desired height repeating the above |
| generally resist pressure from dirt and give the | | | | steps every two layers. |
| wall a "step back" and curved look. The biggest | | | | Once you are finished adding levels to your wall, |
| drawback to this design is its height. The | | | | place landscaping fabric against the stones. This will |
| interlocking stones are not generally | | | | keep the dirt from pushing through the stones |
| recommended for walls higher than three feet. | | | | and buckling the wall. Add topsoil and level off the |
| Seek professional advice about the correct | | | | soil along the top of the wall. From here, you can |
| materials and price estimates before beginning the | | | | be creative and add flowers, plants or other |
| project. A landscape design company will help you | | | | landscaping elements. |
| make the best decision for your yard and your | | | | |