Rock Retaining Wall Construction

Secrets to building a retaining wall.

Rock retaining wall construction.

The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing like mortared walls do. A retaining wall is a special kind of wall. The rock themselves are very dense. This ditch will act as the wall s footing and prevent the rocks from sliding forward due to pressure from the earth behind.

Without this simple footing the rocks have a tendency to move. It sincerely breaks my heart every time i see a wall built with stone blocks courtesy of big box stores inspired by diy cable tv. It has to not only support itself but actively hold back pressure from the material behind it as well. How to build a retaining wall with a terrace integrate stone steps and a stone retaining wall into a challenging backyard slope to make the space more usable.

Large boulders will either require you to have a piece of mechanical equipment or you have to master using gravity to help you lift the stones in place. Dig a ditch the length of the wall that is about a foot wide and 8 to 12 inches 20 5 cm 30 5 cm below the ground level. It s not unusual for a cubic foot of rock to weigh between 150 200 pounds. Bury the bottom course or courses of the retaining wall one tenth the height of the wall to prevent the soil behind from pushing the bottom out.

How to build a natural dry stacked stone free standing or retaining rock wall. The wide base needs to go back into the slope at least half as wide as the wall is tall. Try to cut the ditch into native soil rather than loose added soil as the former provides a more stable foundation for the wall. And i love rock walls.

Rock retaining wall construction can be very challenging. Here are three key principles in building any solid retaining wall. This lets the walls lean and push against the fill. Step back the blocks rocks or timbers to get gravity working in your favor.

Big small retaining free standing. Here are some of the most important things to remember when you re building a retaining wall. Anything taller should be handled by professionals. This makes your rock wall into a 50 year wall.

Choose high quality stones. Building a retaining wall is suitable for diyers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall in most areas.