When I first bought my house, I didn’t think much about what was in the backyard. When I went to look at it before we signed the papers, I just noticed that there was a big garden and a nice patio area. But after moving in, when we started enjoying our backyard, I soon realized that a retaining wall would greatly improve everything. It would give our yard more privacy and space for other things we wanted to put back there. It also would have been quite handy for holding up the soil on one side of our yard which sometimes slid down due to run off from rain storms or snow melt. A friend of mine had done some masonry work in the past so he offered to help me build a small block retaining wall, but he wasn’t as experienced as he thought and made some mistakes along the way (including leaving out vital steps!) Luckily though, after his part of it was finished (and then re-done correctly by someone with more experience doing masonry work).
Building a small block retaining wall is easy and inexpensive. It is a great project for anyone with a little bit of DIY experience. A small block retaining wall is easy to build, and it can be built using just one or two people depending on the size of your project.
A small block retaining wall is a great option for people who want to build a retaining wall but don’t have the space for large blocks or aren’t comfortable with the idea of using concrete. Small block retaining walls are made from cement and stone, and they’re a little bit easier to work with than other types of retaining walls because they’re lighter and easier to handle. They’re also more affordable than other types of retaining walls, so they make a good choice when you need something that’s going to last but don’t have the budget for something more expensive.
Buy blocks of the right size.
Buy blocks of the right size. For example, if you want to build a retaining wall that’s eight inches tall, then your block should be eight inches long and wide. You must also make sure that the block is made from concrete (not brick). A typical concrete block is 3 inches thick and 4 inches wide by 6 inches tall; however, there are other sizes available depending on what works best for your project.
Dig a trench.
To dig the hole, you’ll need to measure the width, depth and length of your trench. Use a tape measure to determine these dimensions. Then use those measurements to mark out your trench on the ground (a chalk line is best for this).
Once you’ve dug your trench, check—and double-check—that it meets all requirements:
Lay the first row of blocks.
The first row of blocks will be the foundation for your retaining wall. Make sure it is straight, level, and aligned with the ground.
To do this you’ll need a spirit level (or two). If you don’t have one or more, you can make one from PVC pipe. You can find plans for this tool at instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-plumb-and-level/.
Build the next rows as needed.
- Build the next row of blocks. If you are building a straight wall, align the ends of your first row and lay down another set of blocks. Space them evenly so they will be in line with the first row.
- If you’re building an offset retaining wall, build that next section as well, using these same tips above to space everything evenly.
- Drive stakes into the ground where you want your walls to be. These should form a frame around where you want your top block to go on each side—they’ll hold everything in place until those final pieces go up!
Add gravel in between the blocks.
Add gravel in between the blocks.
The depth of your trench determines how much gravel you need to add. If your soil is very hard, you may not need any gravel at all. If it’s soft and sandy, however, you’ll need to add a minimum of 4 inches (10 cm) of gravel to help prevent soil washing out of the trench if there’s heavy rain or irrigation water running through it. The deeper and wider your trenches are, the more material they’ll hold in place—and so they’ll need even more drainage material added! The best way to calculate how much drainage material you’ll need is by taking note of where water levels have reached during recent rains or irrigation events.
Fill in trench with soil and tamp down firmly.
Fill the trench with soil, making sure to tamp down firmly. Using a tamper, push on the soil until it is level with the top of the block. It’s important not to tamp too hard or you may cause damage to the blocks. Use a tamper with a flat edge for best results when tamping down your wall.
Building a small block retaining wall is easy and doesn’t have to cost much money.
Building a small block retaining wall is easy and doesn’t have to cost much money! There are many different ways that you can build a small block retaining wall. The easiest way would be to just buy the materials, but if you don’t want to do that, there are plenty of other options available. You can use your own imagination and creativity in order to come up with something new and interesting for yourself or even for others around you who may be interested in helping out too!
- How To Build A Small Block Retaining Wall On A Budget With A Friend Or Family Member
- How To Build A Small Block Retaining Wall In Your Backyard With Your Kids/Nieces And Nephews
Conclusion
Building a small block retaining wall is easy and doesn’t have to cost much money
