How To Build a Retaining Wall

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[philipgonzales]

Installed retaining walls for years now. Decent video. Couple things i'd change would be - use 57 gravel for the base. You technically want 6 inchest of base, but with a small application 4 would be fine. And then use a thing layer of pea gravel, (not the rounded kind), to make it easier to level. Use a deadblow hammer, not a rubber mallet, will make your life much easier. That fabric he used, use that under your gravel so your gravel does sink into the ground over time. Use a long level so you can check a few blocks at a time. The small one he used will work for leveling one block, but you do not want it to be only using that. You want to check a few blocks together for level. Put 6 inches of gravel behinf the wall as well, and make sure you compact with that tamper ever 3 inches or so. Lastly when leveling your block front to back it's okay if it touches the back line. You'd rather your block be going towards your weight rather than out. I said last, but but some cap block to make it look even better and research some landscape lighting to install. In something like this i'd recommend wall cap lights and path lights in the bed. And don't use solar crap lol. Good luck everyone!

[wilmoodesigns]

I completed many years ago using this method I used sand instead of paver base I have clay soil. My retaining wall still looks fantastic. I am a woman and did it all by myself. It is not to difficult except for the 1st row. I am in the process of doing another one with different levels that should be fun. Cheaper than hiring someone.

[ColdperpetratorLv]

Why can’t all videos be as informative as these one thanks a lot I’m a fan

[LyleBPhillips]

I'm in the middle of this project. Some thoughts: It's def not as easy as you think it's going to be after watching a 3-minute video. There's a def learning curve to doing this. Def buy a tamp, a rubber mallet, and a contractor's level if you can. I used Paver Base to get my ground floor level and that worked well. Don't use gravel or larger rocks for that. I hope that's helpful!

[klmita]

We watched, we shopped, we built, Thanks 🤠 chiseled the blocks by hand and it turned out great. It was easy, but labor intensive.

[devonp]

Used this video for guidance, keep in mind the first layer of brick takes a lot of time to ensure level and straight. This is most important when putting the wall up.

[Rosangela]

The best video. Simple and easy. Thanks friends.

[leungfy]

how about a 4' one. I need to build a 4' retaining wall but since it is going to be below ground level (for my basement), I don't know how to add drain behind the wall. I wonder if I can just use the method in the video and only use rocks for drainage and let water weep out from between blocks without adding any drain at the back of the first roll. I also want to build a window well using the same concept as I also find adding drainage behind the wall very difficult. I plan to let water weep into the well area where there is an existing drain. Will this work, the last thing I want happen is the wall collapsing.

[Zestlife]

You need the flange on the bottom of the blocks because that keeps it from sliding, because of the weight of the blocks, when they’re piled call up

[kacktie]

What can be applied to the back area of the wall that is abutting another porous block so that it doesn’t seep through? I’m doing this abutting to a block wall and water stains can not develop on the opposite side of the wall where my neighbors live. Thanks! I was thinking something like flexseal but is there something better and long lasting?

[TheMendez]

I understand putting down the paver base, but not sure why you have to worry about drainage???

[thelovelydrkeyx]

To whomever can help. What if I can't dig due to a huge tree and it's really thick roots? Any other suggested starting options?

[dakotaboysnomadicadventures]

Is the landscape fabric really necessary I wonder? I feel over time the dirt would clog it and it would move..starting a wall soon, and only plan 5 rows to of 3.5 inch tall blocks as long as it got some good gravel behind most it that'd be good right? ✌

[datty]

I’d like to see how they cut the stones to make the right angle adjacent to the walkway to the porch.

[VelvetCrone]

do you have to curve the corners on these, or can you get a right angle by cutting the blocks?

[josephbragdon]

Maintenance of a garden retaining wall?

[jimc]

?? When you fold the fabric back across the gravel, what is to keep weeds from still coming up between the blocks and the gravel?

[ceflaco]

For ease firs layer use sand after gravel or screen soil

[shatterstar]

the second he said masonry blade, i was out.

[dp]

Not to argue with the experts, but if you use fabric barrier then those pores will clog up with dirt and trap water. Not what I want to see happen with my project, but that's me.