How to Build Retaining Walls
A retaining wall prevents soil from being displaced due to erosion or an incline. Once you have built a retaining wall, you will be able to beautify it too. Look through the different types of materials that are used for building your retaining wall. For example natural stone, wood, brick and mock materials. Once you have chosen your materials, follow the proper process of constructing your retaining wall.
- Decide where you wish to construct your retaining wall. This site will help you determine what type of material you wish to use to build it from. Look around your yard, you may even find some natural stone that you can utilize so that you will not have to purchase material. Otherwise, you will need to head to your local lumberyard to pick up some stones, wood or bricks.
- Clear out any debris or grass from the area. Use a rake to get this area cleaned up.
- Use a measuring tape to measure the length of your wall. Make sure that the retaining wall’s height is equal to or less than half of the length of your base. You do not want your retaining wall to be more than three feet high. If you find the need to build a larger retaining wall, you should build multiple retaining walls instead. This will create the look of a terrace. Once you have figured all of this out, take a piece of string and mark off this boundary that you have just established. It will then serve as your guide as you build your retaining wall.
- Use a shovel to dig the depth of the area that you have marked off to about one foot. Spread an even layer of gravel over the top of this area to allow for drainage.
- Build your wall out of the materials that you have chosen. If you are using brick, you will need to secure them with mortar. If you are using natural stone, make sure to use some chicken wire to hold it in place. Use a rubber mallet to align everything. If you are using stone, you will need to pour some concrete through the holes in the topmost layer. This will help to hold them in place and keep your retaining wall from falling down.
- Continue building more layers until your wall reaches the height you want it to be.