| A retaining wall is a protective structure, first and | | | | grip and vertical joints placeholders) do so with the |
| foremost. It should be strongly built for steady | | | | block of each even-numbered row. Use a |
| support. But it can also serve as a decorative | | | | sledgehammer for the purpose along with a brick |
| architectural element. It is this mix of beauty and | | | | chisel. This is for a stronger retaining wall. |
| functionality which any home addition should strive | | | | With the second course-after cutting the initial block |
| for. | | | | of even-numbered rows-put the second row. Step |
| While of course it is possible to hire a contractor to | | | | back each block just a bit off to make sure we are |
| build something like this, there really is no reason as | | | | making a slight backward slope to somewhat push |
| you can do this home project yourself and it will not | | | | the thing that needs support. This is what a retaining |
| take as long as you think and also it will save quite a | | | | wall is for. |
| few dollars when simple home additions are done on | | | | Then, as the wall rises, compress the earth behind it. |
| your own. | | | | As we fill the rear portion with earth reinforce the |
| All one needs is a little drive and determination and | | | | wall with concrete the higher it goes. Between the |
| make a plan and then stick to it. Before you know it | | | | wall and the earth fill should be more cement mixes |
| your retaining wall will be built and you'll be full of | | | | to increase retaining wall material strength. |
| confidence looking for the next home project. | | | | For our final grading, the higher the wall goes the |
| The first thing to do is excavate the area where we | | | | farther the slope is from the wall top. Fill the gap with |
| plan to put up the retaining wall. If the area is | | | | crushed stones topped with earth. The fill level should |
| downhill, be sure to grade the soil. Drive stakes of | | | | be some inches below the wall top. |
| wood into the slope and stretch across them a | | | | When building the retaining wall alone, opt for |
| masonry twine. | | | | interlocking blocks. Take care to refill the ditch or |
| For the base trench, dig a ditch on the higher side of | | | | trench right after the base or footing or foundation |
| the wall. Fill the ditch of our retaining wall with | | | | layer is done. |
| different colored stones and then level using a rake. | | | | Retaining walls are best for keeping slopes like small |
| Have the stones compacted together with the use | | | | hills or mounds beside our houses from landsliding. |
| of a tamper. | | | | They're perfect for garden landscaping and even for |
| For the first course, we place the first base of | | | | buttressing wall portions of our houses. Retaining wall |
| concrete over the stones for our retaining wall. To | | | | concepts are also applied for chimney building. |
| make sure the concrete is even on all sides use a | | | | Building a retaining wall helps keep our surrounding |
| torpedo level. Continue putting concrete while leveling | | | | safe and supported. It keeps a steeply sloping terrain |
| out stones. Wear safety gloves. | | | | from collapsing. |
| When cutting the initial block into halves (for stronger | | | | |