Making a retaining wall is a fantastic way to enhance the look of your property, and it is also a wonderful way to add some bulk to your yard. Retaining walls are generally made of concrete blocks, although you can also use stone, brick, logs, or even recycled tires. If you want to make a big statement, go with a long row of blocks that stand out from the rest of your yard. You can use a single row of blocks or stacked stone along your property line for a more subdued look.
Building a retaining wall out of cinder blocks is a great way to add a layer of privacy and beauty to your yard. In addition, you can also consider materials such as concrete to build a retaining wall in an inexpensive way to add a variety of designs and layouts to your yard. You can consult a concrete contractors Macon GA, or near your location to get the estimate on expenditure and rough layout design. Moreover, here are the tips on how to make a block retaining wall by using different materials.
Make the trench wide, deep, and level
A block retaining wall is a great, affordable way to break up a large yard. To make one, begin with excavating trenches on either side of a slope or along the edge of your property. Dig the trenches about 12 feet long and at least 12 inches deep. Once the trenches have been dug to the proper depth, pour concrete into the bottom. Then, set your posts in the trench. Continue setting posts until the wall reaches the desired height. If necessary, reinforce the wall with a rebar or wire mesh. Next, backfill the wall until the grade returns to normal. Sand and seed the trench to create a level yard.
Compact the trench
Trenches and other large hole-like shapes can be a challenge for landscape professionals, but there are a few different ways they can be filled. One way is with a compactable material like soil, stones, or gravel. Compactable materials offer a cost-effective, reliable method for filling large holes-and often with a smaller footprint when compared to a stamped concrete or retaining wall.
Lay a crushed stone base
Consider your landscape project complete when you lay a crushed stone base. Lay the crushed stone base out using a piece of cardboard or plywood as a guide. Use a level to grade the base level; this will help the drainage, perhaps even preventing the need for something like foundation repair in Columbia, and act as a restraint for retaining wall blocks. Use a box blade or shovel to place the crushed stone in place. Fill the crushed stone bed with gravel. Use a shovel to level the gravel and compact it. Use a rake to grade the crushed stone bed. Add more crushed stone, gravel, and sand until the grade is flat and level.
Get the first course right
When installing a retaining wall, it is important to get the first course right. This will ensure the wall is straight and level, and it will determine how the rest of the wall goes together. Also, if you have plans to add other additions like a Concrete Patio, for instance, it is important to thoroughly discuss this in the plan with your architect. If need be, they can re-draw and suit your requirements along with the existing one. That said, the wall needs to go into the ground at an angle, so the first course should be installed with a slope. The slope should be 1:3, which means the first course should be 3 feet long for every foot of the wall you are building. You need to make sure the slope is even and that the top of the first course sits 3 inches below grade. This is one of the most crucial steps in a building block, so in case you feel confused about anything, it would be suggested that you take assistance from learned professionals (firms similar to CenTex Foundation Repair could be helpful in this regard) in this area.
Retaining walls are a crucial part of a slope’s design. A homeowner might want a retaining wall for aesthetic reasons, such as blocking a neighbor’s unsightly view, or for practical reasons, like protecting a hillside from erosion or sudden flooding. In some cases, it might simply be a matter of blocking out unwanted noise. Whatever the purpose, it is important to get it constructed correctly and look good.
