A retaining wall is a great way to ensure your property’s structure and stability. By building a retaining wall, you can provide support to the ground and help keep the overall foundation of your home strong and stable. A retaining wall can also help prevent erosion and reduce soil erosion by allowing water to flow naturally through the soil. Why should you consider building a retaining wall?
Here are a few reasons why building a retaining wall is a good idea:
Soil Retention: The number one function of a retaining wall is to keep soil in place. This is particularly necessary for uneven areas and slopes.
Soil Erosion Prevention: Water is the enemy of soil when it comes to soil retention. A well-built retaining wall will have a drainage system so that water will flow in at the foot of the wall and, in some cases, at the top of the wall too. If your property is built at the bottom of a hilly area, having a retaining wall constructed around your property will protect your investment, especially in areas prone to flooding from extreme rainfall conditions.
Aesthetic Lift: Besides functionality, retaining walls can add beauty and charm to any home. Several combinations of stone and style can make your retaining wall uniquely individual. Rounded versus square stones, mortared or unmortared joints, are among some of the choices when designing your wall. Our highly creative team will work with you to design a beautiful retaining wall. We will even produce a 3D Design and Blueprint of the project before we start. A stone retaining wall will enhance the value of your home.
Retaining Walls FAQs
Q: How much does a retaining wall?
There are a lot of factors that contribute to the total cost. First, you must determine what type of wall is best for your application. For example, a simple garden wall to edge your flower beds would use different materials and approaches than a sophisticated retaining wall with drainage to provide an entire property with a level area.
There are many options to choose from when selecting a retaining wall. They range from boulder walls to retaining wall masonry blocks. The type of application will typically dictate what type of wall suits your needs. Our team is composed of highly skilled experts that can walk you through every step of the project, from design to completion.
Considering all these factors, an appropriate price range would be between $20-$40 per square foot installed, again factoring in the type of wall and application.
Q: Do I need permits to build a retaining wall?
Different towns/cities have different requirements when it comes to retaining walls. Most towns/cities do not require a construction permit if the wall is under 4 feet tall. However, it is important to contact the town hall before any project to ensure you can start your project.
Q: Do I need engineering plans to build a retaining wall?
Not all retaining walls need plans. However, depending on the different types of regulations regarding permitting in your area, most municipalities will require plans if a construction permit is required.
Q: What is the process of building a retaining wall?
Site Prep
Being prepared with the proper tools and equipment before you begin a retaining wall project is important. Here are some other items to consider before you get started.
Site Access
When planning your project, ensure you can access your wall site with construction equipment and materials. For sites with restricted access, plan where to stage and store your block, wall rock, and other materials.
Rock Wall
Rock To build a quality wall, use a clean, granular rock underneath the base course to create a firm foundation for your project. Good drainage and compaction will add to the
quality and performance of your finished wall. We refer to the material used for the base, within and behind the block, as Wall Rock. Crushed or smooth stone, well-graded, compactable aggregate, ranging in size from 0.25 in. to 1.5 in. (6 to 38 mm) is the ideal wall rock size.
Tools & Equipment
You need to have the proper tools on hand. Remember: Safety always comes first. Hand tools, safety glasses, gloves, dust mask, ear protection, knee pads, 4’ level, torpedo level, tape measure, string line, chisel, hand tamper, dead blow hammer, shims, broom, round and square shovel. Power tools, plate compactor, concrete saw with a diamond blade, skid loader, transit/site level. Rental equipment plate compactors, concrete saws, skid loaders, and transit levels are very useful when building retaining walls.
Compaction
Compact in 8 in. (200 mm) lifts, one course at a time Keep all heavy equipment at least 3 ft. (0.9m) away from the back of the blocks Proper placement and compaction of the infill soils are critical. The most important step in getting proper compaction is placing the soil in “lifts.” Compacting in lifts, or layers, of less than 8 in. (200 mm) will facilitate quality compaction.
Placement and compaction in lifts that exceed 8 in. (200 mm) will result in less than adequate soil strength. Compaction equipment must be sized according to the type of material being compacted. Always backfill and compact after each course of block is placed. Consult with a local equipment supplier to ensure proper compaction equipment is used. The consolidation zone runs from the back of the block back 3 ft. (0.9 m) into the infill soil.
Only walking behind plate compaction equipment is allowed within the consolidation zone. A minimum of two passes with a walk-behind plate compactor is required, starting on top of the block and compacting in paths that run parallel with the wall to the back of the excavated area.
Preparation
Base Preparation
To start your layout, place stakes to represent the location of the front of the retaining wall. Using a string line or paint, mark out the entire length. A garden hose is an excellent tool for laying out curved walls. Excavate the area by removing all surface vegetation and organic materials from the area.
These cannot be used as backfill material. If reinforcement is needed, excavate behind the wall to accommodate the design length of the geogrid. Refer to your approved plans for the exact length. Starting at the lowest point, dig a base trench the length of the wall. More information on retaining walls where the base trench steps up a slope.
Retaining Wall Base Trench Dig a base trench 24 in. (600 mm) wide the length of the wall.** The depth of the trench will be 6 in. (150 mm) plus an additional 1 in. (25 mm) for each 1 ft (300 mm) of wall height for the amount of buried block that is needed.** Compact the base trench, making at least two passes with a walk-behind plate compactor. Foundation soils at the bottom of the base trench must be firm and solid.
If the soils are heavy clay or wet, or the areas have been previously excavated, remove this material and replace it with a granular material, compacting in 8 in.(200mm) lifts or less. **For walls under 4 ft (1.2 m), dig the base trench 18 in. wide (460 mm) and 4 in. deep (100 mm) plus additional to account for the amount of buried block needed.
Base Material
How to prepare the base A drain pipe is required for any reinforced wall or any wall over 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall. Place the drain pipe at the lowest possible point toward the back of the trench and vent to daylight every 50 ft. (15 m). More information on drainage and water management. Place a minimum of 6 in. (150 mm) of wall rock in the base trench and rake smooth. Compact the wall rock making a minimum of two passes with a plate compactor. Check the entire length for level, and adjust as needed.
Retaining Walls with Geogrid
What is Geogrid? Geogrids are flexible, synthetic meshes manufactured specifically for slope stabilization and earth retention. These “grids” are available in a variety of materials, sizes, and strengths. They can be made of high-tensile strength plastics or woven polyester yarns and are typically packaged at the factory in rolls. See the importance of reinforcement in your retaining wall with this sand castle demonstration.
Use the Soil Reinforcement Chart to determine the size of the AB Grid you will need and how many layers your retaining wall requires. How Grid Works The sand castle test takes two cylinders of soil and applies vertical force to see how the soil performs. The first cylinder is just compacted material. The second is also compacted material with the addition of mesh screens to simulate the use of geogrid reinforcement.
Finishing a Retaining Wall
Install filter fabric is used on top of the top course of blocks and below the caps to cover the back of the AB Fieldstone anchoring units. This will allow plantable soil to be placed flush against the cap unit.
Place a strip of filter fabric along the top of the AB Fieldstone anchoring units on the top course of the wall. Position so that the fabric starts at the back of the AB Fieldstone facing unit and goes over the AB Fieldstone anchoring unit and down along the back of the anchoring unit.
Be sure to leave the top surface of the facing unit exposed so that the cap sealant can be placed on the facing unit.
Finish the wall with AB Capstones. Place the first capstone on the wall to include a 1.5 – 2 in. (40 – 50 mm) overhang.
Run a string line the length of the wall to mark the placement of additional capstones.
To get a consistent point, use the 45° chamfers at the end of each cap as alignment points for the string line.
Use a flexible masonry adhesive, NP1 or equivalent, to secure the capstones. Put a small bead of sealant along the sides of the caps.
Backfill behind the last course and behind the AB Capstone with impermeable fill to allow for planting up to the back of the wall.
Our Retaining Wall Building Process
Our first step is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with you to discuss the functionality and needs of the retaining wall. We will recommend a variety of materials for you to choose from. With that information, our designers will construct a 3D Design and Rendering. With the final design and layout approved, our highly skilled masons and artisans will begin the building process.
Though retaining walls are built in areas with loose or uneven slopes, we also build them in flat areas for purely aesthetic purposes. If you want to learn more about our high-quality retaining walls, contact us today for details!