What are the basic factors involved in building a 'retaining' wall prior to building a house?
Building a house on a slope and am required to build a retaining wall (house is split level) - I am at the early stages and curious as to whether there are any specific features of retaining walls to understand - materials, style of custruction, etc...
Any help information would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Jamie
Answers:
Retaining walls are unique and each situation requires something different. Most landscapers install retaining walls, and even engineers can get involved.
The basics: If the soil surcharge load is minimized, not a large sustained slope, put up a string line to make sure the wall is straight. Then clear and level an area about 2 feet wide and however long the wall. Put down crusher run (modified or stone dust as a base). Make sure this is level. Then begin laying the block per the manufacturer's instructions. If you are on a curve, that requires a little more work. Some blocks may have to be nipped. The most important aspect is to put a drainage pipe behind the wall. It must be a perforated pipe with the holes in the pipe placed down on the ground. Put some 2B stone over the pipe and cover everything with landscapers cloth. It lets the water through, but not the dirt. Then fill in behind the wall with some 2B stone, and then the rest with soil. The stone allows proper drainage for the water.
If you are trying to hold up a large slope, then you must tier the wall to break up the surcharge load of the soil. You can be very creative in doing this and it leads to a pleasing look when done creatively.
Also, you can find some great examples on the inet with complete instructions. The main thing is to remove the water.
Good Luck.
Other answers: