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| Installing a retaining wall |
| This DIY Basic, brought to you by the American Rental Association, will provide tips for installing a retaining wall. |
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Building a retaining wall (figure A) is a great solution for turning a sloped yard into a more usable space and by renting a few pieces of equipment the job can be completed in just a weekend. - Begin by laying out your design using landscaping paint to map the path of the wall.
- Determine the wall’s height and use a laser transit to check the elevation (figure B).
- Next cut into the hill and level the dirt with a skid steer(figure C).
- Use a backhoe to dig the trench for the wall’s foundation.
- Now layer gravel and tamp with a plate compactor, to create an even and sturdy base.
- Then place the first row of stone making sure it’s level (figure D).
- To ensure proper drainage install a four-inch perforated drain pipe, behind the wall.
- Install additional rows and backfill once the wall is a few rows high.
- Trim corner pieces using a cut-off saw to create your capstone(figure E).
- Finally, add some landscaping and enjoy!
Web Extras - A laser transit works by using a transmitter to emit a laser beam to its receiver, alerting at what point the ground is level.
- A skid steer loader or compact excavator saves days of labor by digging out the side of a hill and backfilling.
- For a large wall, use a vibrating plate compactor to make compacting the soil and gravel much easier.
- Add gravel until the base is 6 inches below grade.
- The drain pipe will keep water from collecting on the wall.
- Use a torpedo level to check the block front-to-back and side-to-side
RESOURCES :
American Rental Association Information
Website: www.ararental.org/
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