A fieldstone retaining wall is a type of wall that is used to support the earth from sloping away from a home, building, or other structure. Fieldstone walls are usually made from natural rock found in the surrounding area. The rocks are then stacked together to build the wall. These types of walls can be built using different methods depending on how much time you have to construct them and what type of tools you have available at your disposal.
Fieldstone retaining walls are a great option for homeowners who are looking to add some curb appeal to their property. Fieldstone retaining wall construction involves using fieldstones to create a retaining wall that will help you make the most of your outdoor space. A fieldstone retaining wall can be used in many different areas of your yard or garden, including next to your house or garage.
Fieldstone is one of the most popular materials used when building fieldstone retaining walls because it has such a unique look and feel. Fieldstone is also affordable compared with other types of stone, which makes it an excellent choice for those on a budget. If you’re looking for an affordable way to improve your home’s exterior appearance while adding value at the same time, then fieldstone retaining walls may be just what you need.
If you’re considering a fieldstone retaining wall, you’ll find that it’s easy to start and just as easy to maintain. Fieldstone is durable and long-lasting, so once the structure is built, it will last for years. But building a retaining wall isn’t just about good looks it can also help your landscape by giving plants room to grow. A small retaining wall might only be 20 inches high and have one tier of stones on top, but for large jobs where several tiers are needed (or all around the yard), consider hiring an expert contractor who can make sure that everything stays level and sturdy as the project progresses.
What is Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction is a method of construction in which stones are used to build walls. Its name comes from the fact that these walls are often built using fieldstones, or stones that have been gathered from fields and other open areas. These types of stone walls were common in rural areas before modern technology made them accessible to most people.
In this article, we’ll examine what this type of construction entails, where it came from and why it was so popular among early settlers.
Uses of Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
There are several uses for fieldstone retaining wall construction:
- Retaining walls are used to hold back earth and other materials. They can be used as borders, or they can be placed in a straight line with the aim of holding back earth or other materials behind them. These walls may be made of stone, brick, concrete blocks, or wood planks, depending on the strength needed.
- Retaining walls are used to prevent erosion. A well-built retaining wall keeps ground material from being washed away by rainwater or melting snow runoff into streams and rivers during spring thaw seasons when water levels tend to rise quickly.
- Retaining walls are used to prevent landslides during heavy rains or storms that cause flooding in low-lying areas such as riverbeds; they also help maintain good drainage flow patterns so that land isn’t left saturated after heavy rains recede.
Reasons for Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
Fieldstone retaining walls are a great way to add character to your landscape. They also create a natural environment that is beautiful and unique, which makes them a great choice if you want your landscape to stand out from everyone else’s.
An added benefit of fieldstone retaining walls is that they can be used for privacy. If you don’t want people looking into your yard, you can use a fieldstone retaining wall as fencing along the front of the property or even along the side where there aren’t any windows or doors on it so no one can see inside.
Fieldstone Retaining Walls also add interest and texture to any space they’re in. This makes them perfect for those who want their gardens and yards to stand out from other places around town; plus because they’re made entirely out of rocks/gravel instead of artificial materials like vinyl siding etc., no matter how long it takes before someone else comes along wanting something similar but doesn’t have access (or time) nothing will beat yours since no two pieces ever match exactly as real earth does.
Steps involved in Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
There are many steps involved in fieldstone retaining wall construction. These include:
- Leveling the ground.
- Installing a layer of gravel along the base.
- Applying mortar to the wall.
Level the ground.
The first step in building a retaining wall is to level the ground. You can use a 4-foot level or even just a piece of string to check if your ground is flat. If you are working on land that needs to be leveled, you can use a shovel and rake to even out the area.
Install a layer of gravel along the base.
To install the gravel layer, begin by measuring out a 12-inch wide strip along the base of your stone wall. Then, using a level, mark this width in several places along the length of your retaining wall. Using a shovel or other digging tool, start at one end of your marked strip and dig out about 3 inches deep (4 inches for larger stones). Add that soil back into another area within reach so you have room to move around without stepping on top of too many plants or flower beds. Next, add 4 inches of stone dust and small stones to this dug-out spot to form a pile about 8 inches tall. Take an iron rake or similar tool and evenly spread out this mixture until it is approximately 2 feet thick (3 feet if using larger stones). Finally compact by hand or with some type of roller over where you installed your layer until all loose material has been pressed down firmly against one another creating an even surface through which water will drain efficiently when it rains.
Once finished installing both layers make sure they are level with each other than cover them up with plastic sheeting that extends over the top edge so water won’t get in between the two layers once it starts raining again after construction is complete.
Apply mortar to the wall.
The next step is to apply mortar to the wall. This mixture of cement, sand, and water will act as a binder for your stone retaining wall. To apply it correctly, you will use a trowel to spread it over the surface of your stones, making sure that it is uniformly level with the top of each stone.
You will also want to make sure that you have enough mortar on hand before beginning this process; if there aren’t enough supplies available at once, it can be difficult or even impossible to finish building your stone retaining wall altogether.
Place the stones in your desired pattern
The first thing you’ll want to do is place the stones in your desired pattern. This can be anything from a straight line to a curved wall, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish with your stone wall. I’ve found that laying them so that the joints are staggered works best for most people (i.e., one stone laid atop another). It also helps if they’re level and in line with each other, but keep in mind that no matter how careful you are, some variation will occur between each stone that’s part of what makes it look so nice.
Now that your stones are laid out, use a level to make sure everything is straight. You don’t want any large gaps where some of your lower stones could fall out later on because they weren’t properly leveled during construction.
Fill any large gaps with stone dust or small stones.
Fill any large gaps with stone dust or small stones. If you do not have stone dust, use small stones. The gap should be filled with a material that matches the color of your wall and is strong enough to hold it together.
Level the stones carefully.
Now that you’ve got the stones in place, it’s time to level them out. A level is a tool used to find the high and low points of an object. The goal is to make sure your wall is flat and uniform throughout its length.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure all the stones are at the same height. This will give your wall a more professional appearance, as well as make it easier for other people reading this guide to follow along.
- Check for any areas where stones might be leaning towards each other or away from each other (this can happen if they aren’t directly next to one another on opposite sides). For example, if you have stones running north-south through your wall then look closely at those sections where they meet up with other sections it may be happening here.
Fill around and behind the retaining wall with more gravel.
- Fill in the space around your newly constructed retaining wall with more gravel. This will help it to stay in place and prevent erosion, as well as keep the soil from freezing, which can lead to a lot of damage or injury.
- Make sure that you use enough gravel so that it covers all of the ground where your wall will be going.
Materials needed for Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
Materials needed for fieldstone retaining wall construction:
- Fieldstone
- Gravel
- Mortar
- Trowel
- Buckets and shovels (for mixing the mortar)
You will need to determine whether you want a dry-stacked or mortared retaining wall. If your fieldstone project is large enough, you can hire a contractor to do this work for you. However, if it’s just a small job around your house, it may be more cost-effective and fun to try out this DIY project on your own.
Tools needed for Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
You will need a trowel, spade, or shovel to dig the trench. You can also use a wheelbarrow and wheelbarrow wheel or handle as well. A garden hose and bucket are useful for washing off the stones after they are installed in your retaining wall.
Cost of Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
The cost to build a fieldstone retaining wall will depend on the size of the wall, the material used, and whether you hire a contractor to do it for you.
- The cost of materials ranges from $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on where they’re purchased and in what quantity they’re purchased.
- Labor costs are often minimal if you have the right tools and equipment available at home. If not, they can add up quickly depending on how much help you need with moving heavy objects and digging holes in your yard or in areas that require special permits before work begins (such as installing a new retaining wall).
- Permits can range anywhere from $50-$250 or more depending on local regulations for stone masonry construction projects like these; some municipalities may also offer lower rates for homeowners working independently from contractors rather than hiring someone else through them directly (though this isn’t always guaranteed).
Maintenance tips for Fieldstone Retaining Wall Construction
- Keep it clean
- Waterproof it
- Avoid getting too hot or too cold
- Don’t let it get too dry. Don’t let it get too wet.
The end result is a fieldstone retaining wall that will be as strong as it is attractive
At the end of the day, you can be confident that your fieldstone retaining wall will be as strong as it is attractive. Don’t settle for anything less than a beautiful stone retaining wall that will last for years to come.
In Conclusion
Fieldstone retaining wall construction is a fairly straightforward process that can be done by anyone with the right tools and materials. The main thing to remember is that it takes time, patience, and attention to detail. The end result will be a solid fieldstone retaining wall that will last for many years to come.
