![]() A wall higher than around 24’’ will apply a lot of force to the base it lies on. However, make sure that your wall will lie on a solid base. There is mature lawn under the area where the wall is to be placed that has existed for a few years and slopes away from the face of the wall.The retaining wall will be short in height and will not significantly force down its base.The area to be built on has been undisturbed for years, has had some time to settle naturally, and has an existing slope in front of the area the wall will face.Slope the base slightly towards the back of the wall to make sure that the water makes it to the drain and so that the tile you install will the water towards an unrestricted area.Įarth and other materials are not the most desirable bases on which to build large stone applications, but they are acceptable in case: Put the drain far behind the wall so that the wall will not rest on the tile. If there is no way to drain the water through simple sloping methods, you can install a drain behind your wall. You will have to either slop it away from the face of the wall so it can drain freely, or slop it to the right or left along the face of your wall so that it may drain past one end. With your gravel base compacted, and potential wet spots taken care of, you can start laying your base rocks.Ĭlay will not drain internally. Don’t direct drainage from the wall towards your house. To do so, lay a perforated drain tile from the low spot that water will pool in, sloping downwards away from the wall you want to build, to an area where collected water can flow freely. Take care of any areas that may obstruct the drainage. You will need either a vibrating plate compactor or jumping jack to make a good compacting. If there are no obstructions to the draining process, gravel will drain. Once you have marked out the lines where you want your wall, assess the type of material that will lie beneath it. You can compensate by using more fill behind the wall. Moving a wall out a few feet from a bank may save you material, if you can build a shorter wall and keep the same or even more gradual slope. The place you first think of for your retaining wall doesn’t have to be the only place it can go. So, follow these steps to build your wall. The wall should be a part of the landscape that marries well with your home, lifestyle, and taste.Plane multi-level tiers so that the top tiers do not add to the pressure behind the underlying tiers.The increased weight of wet gravel or earth and the high risk of heaving due to frost can both threaten the wall. ![]() There cannot be water collected behind the wall. Build a solid base because the weight of the wall will press down on the base material, and that will make the material shift, compromising the structural integrity of the work.The used rocks have to resist the pressure applied by the weight behind the wall.When building such a wall, you have to remember the following: How to Build a Rock Wall 1.A retaining wall supports itself as well as hold back pressure from the material behind it. Once built, you’ll have a rock-solid retaining wall without all the heavy mortar lines. To preserve a dry-laid look, I set the stones in a mortar that’s pigmented a dark gray and then rake the joints clean.įreestanding mortared walls, like the fieldstone one I’m building here, need a stable, frost-proof footing to prevent shifting, and that requires a lot of digging in cold climates.Īsk a stone yard to help determine how much material you’ll need, and have it delivered as close to the site as possible. I like to set stones in mortar because you can’t beat a mortared wall for strength, which is important if a wall serves as seating or holds back earth. Building them is backbreaking work, but if done correctly, the wall will last a lifetime, if not a lot longer. Roger Cook replies: Freestanding stone walls are a handsome way to define and improve your property. ![]()
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