How to Build a Retaining Wall (Step-by-Step)

In this video, I show you exactly how to build a retaining wall with landscape blocks.
You'll learn how to design your retaining wall, the tools you need, how to build it step by step, and even some retaining wall design ideas.

First, I'll walk you through how to design your retaining wall, and the critical components you need to include so your retaining wall doesn't fail. Things like proper drainage, a solid base material, and making sure you dig deep enough so the retaining wall doesn't fall over.

Most people skip critical steps, like digging deep enough for a 6" packed gravel base - which is critical for the structural integrity of your wall. Or, even worse, they don't install a gravel base at all.

You'll also learn the importance of using 3/4" gravel behind your retaining wall blocks so excess moisture doesn't build up behind the wall and potentially cause it to fall over.

Then, I'll demonstrate how wide to dig the trench before building your wall, and what to consider when planning that out. In this video, I built a curved wall with a cool step feature.

Then, we'll go right into building it, starting with the first row of blocks., which you'll need to make sure are perfectly level. I'll share some tips (use sand) for making this much easier so you can save time.

This home improvement project will have a dramatic impact on your landscape, and it doesn't cost that much. In fact, this 50' long wall, which is 3' tall, only cost me about $1,000 in materials total. That's pretty amazing considering the transformation it made to my backyard.

I think you'll like this video because it includes a time-lapse of building the wall as well - so you can get an idea of exactly how much work goes into installing a retaining wall - which is a lot!

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[mzqpal]

As a geotechnical engineer that designs retaining walls for some projects I can confirm with this design for this type of blocks. Pretty cool small project you can diy for your home as well

[davidh]

I DID THIS PROJECT! I built my 3ft retaining wall exactly as you described in this video. It turned out great! It was a lot of manual labor but every time i see it im proud of what I accomplished. Thanks for putting together this video

Note: i got the retaining wall block’s delivered from Home Depot. And i got the gravel delivered from a local company. No pickup truck needed! Just sweat and hard work.

[MrGoobum]

I’ve started my wall project. Looking to be completed in the next ten years !

[stevengrace]

I’ve worked in landscaping for 10 years now and I get questions on whether or not we build retaining walls. I usually recommend someone reliable, but watching your explanation broke it down elegantly. That’s probably the best explanation I’ve seen my man. I’m going to do one at my house first and then plan to start advertising. This was excellent thanks!

[ednasdeo]

Excellent instructional video. Two things I would add: One: Make the base wide enough to use a plate compactor to pack the 2b stone base. If you’re spending over a thousand bucks for the project, another hundred or hundred & fifty bucks to rent one will be well worth it. It will pack better and go quicker. A wider and better packed base can only help the project. And two: Put landscape fabric against the dirt wall before you backfill with the clean 3/4” stones. It will keep dirt and silt from clogging your clean 3/4” drain stones.

[CelticWreck]

This is one of the best instructional videos I have ever watched. Thank you for being so thorough and going through every basic step for beginners!

[xTnT]

Best thing about this video... He doesn't tell you to buy expensive tools!! I'm so inspired, my summer project for sure

[ademisky]

I noticed only true DIYer can really show what to do to those who wants to diy such projects. Watched few channel of landscape contractors and they just talk and talk and do not show what to do, how to build retaining wall. Just thank you young men! Your parents must be proud of you!

[ezm]

I noticed you did not use a filter cloth between the soil and the drainage rock that sit behind your wall. Unless you have no frost, have well drained soil with a very high perk, and little to no moisture (rain) you should spend the extra $50-$100 and put in a filter cloth. If you have poor perk soil, frost, and rain - a perforated pipe (weeping tile) is also a must. Other than that - you covered the basics. Good video good explanations.

[rodi]

That really upgraded your yard and wasnt that expensive for the length. I like how you " flaired the left side".

[taylorclarkjohnson]

So helpful man. Thank you. And thanks to everyone for all the helpful comments in the comments section too. I learned a LOT.

[lukevenable]

I used this video for my small retaining wall and 1 year later it's still holding strong. Thanks!

[NormFarnumFamily]

Great presentation, Dan. I did a 90' x 2' block retaining wall last fall, and used many of your tips... but learned more today! Thanks.

[heathd]

Finally!!! I found a helpful video. Home Depot and Lowe’s... pay attention.
Thank you

[jwilde]

You knocked this out the park . Love the steps on the left side of gate so you can walk up on that area .. Great job

[omelborpon]

Well done, sir. Some folks lay the foundation course upside down and backward. This puts the large flat surface of the block on the ground, which makes leveling the foundation course a bit easier: don't have the lip in the way . It also puts the lipped straight edge of the block upward, and the straight edge helps with alignment. Also because the large flat surface of the block is on the ground, there is more surface area contacting the ground, lowering the psi on the foundation course: less likely to dig in and settle. The first course after the foundation course then is laid normally, and blocks just snuggle up against the upward-facing lip of the foundation course. All other courses are then laid normally.

[derekmayfield]

I watched a ton of videos trying to find one that would help me understand how to build my wall. Finally I came across your video, and your diagram in the beginning really helped me answer all my questions. Thank you so much it was very helpful and your wall turned out amazing! God Bless You

[christopherhaak]

It is a good video, just a couple of things that I would add. First, the little level is more accurate rotated 90 degrees from what you showed in the video, but more importantly, you should use a 4' or longer level frequently along the initial course so that you make sure you are staying level over the longer distance, unless you have already shot the whole length with a transit or laser level. The second thing is that if you put some filter landscape fabric along the backside of the wall between the dirt and the drainage rock your drainage system will be much better as that will keep any of the fines from the dirt from coming into the drainage rock. It basically separates the dirt from the rock. As indicated, the base is the key and the most work getting it flat and well compacted.

[stoichiometry]

I thought I would be googling around for hours getting the focal points to stacking D’ blocks for a short retaining wall. Your video took care of ALL my info needs. Very awesome, thank you

[e-spy]

So I'm a girl. I built a 93 foot retaining wall in my yard 22 years ago (the neighbors call it the great wall of china and it has a few curves). I did it pretty much this way (minus the gravel behind, oh!) It held up in Minnesota winters for 22 years. This year, a couple blocks fell due to freeze/thaw and it needs rebuilding. I'm 60 now, so far too old to do all that work again! My daughter volunteered the father of her kid who supposedly does this work all the time. It turns out he is very sporadic at working, though I asked several times if he wanted me to hire someone, and when I went to check on the first row he finally started, oh! OMG, this thing will fall apart by next spring and will never look good in the "finished" project! He also used class 5 gravel, but only an inch or so in the very uneven trench. The best I could think to do was tell him to get a boatload of sand, lol. But that will never hold up in a mn winter. I fear it all has to be dug out again. right? He didn't bother checking level on the dirt layer, nor on any other by what I can tell. What do you think?