Lay high quality stones and use a geotextile backing to ensure the wall lasts a long time.
Making a stone retaining wall.
How to build a stone wall.
If you don t have a lot of rock on your property a trip to the nearest quarry or landscaping store is in order.
Build a stone retaining wall with an interlocking concrete block system.
To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site.
To create a solid foundation dig a trench for the first course of your interlocking retaining wall blocks to sit in and make sure the ground remains even throughout.
It is aesthetically important that these final stones fit together nicely to create a smooth flat surface.
If you have your retaining wall built figure about 15 per square face foot for a timber wall 20 for an interlocking block system or poured concrete and 25 for a natural stone wall.
Get project details for this diy retaining wall here.
Stone walls take some planning.
The success of your retaining wall depends on a level base.
Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.
Ask a stone yard to help determine how much material you ll need and have it delivered as close to the site as possible.
Step 9 insure level.
You may have a big rock pile that you ve made while plowing your fields.
Follow the block manufacturer s instructions for wall height limits.
Building a retaining wall with blocks from lowe s is easy with these steps.
For the final course use cap stones stones with a smooth top and flat face.
Prepare the footing photo by russell kaye.
Preparing a troublesome site one that includes clay soil or a natural spring for example can raise costs substantially.
How to build a rock wall 1.
Once built you ll have a rock solid retaining wall without all the heavy mortar lines.
Anything taller should be handled by professionals.
Dig a trench that s below the frost line and 2 feet wider than.
You need to decide what type of wall you want and what type of rock you will use.
Plan for good drainage proper width height ratio and distance between tiers.
For a more secure top some experts set the cap stones into a bed.
The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing like mortared walls do.