How soil pushes (and how to build a retaining wall that pushes back)

When you contemplatehow to build aretaining wall a retain wall design, you may imagine how firm and solid itll appear from the front, or how great the new garden will look above it. But unless you give serious thought to what goes on behind and below the wall, it may not look good for long. A poorly built wall can lean, separate, even toppleand its out there in plain sight where all your neighbors can point and snicker. You dont want that!

Lots of people think a retaining wall needs to hold back all 6 gazillion tons of soil in the yard behind it. It doesnt. It only needs to retain a wedge of soil, or elongated wedge of soil, similar to that shown in Fig. A. In simple terms (our apologies to all you soil engineers out there): Undisturbed soilsoil that has lain untouched and naturally compacted for thousands of yearshas a maximum slope beyond which it wont hang together on its own. This slope is called the failure plane. If left alone, the soil behind the failure plane will stay put on its own. But the soil in front of the failure planethe natural soil or the fill youre going to addwants to slide down the failure plane.

Gravity, along with the slope, directs most of the weight and pressure of the fill toward the lower part of the retaining wall. Since soil weighs a beefy 100-plus lbs. per cu. ft., you need some pretty heavy materiallarge retaining wall blocks, boulders, timbers or poured concreteto counteract the pressure. Just as important, it needs to be installed the right way. Here are three key principles in building any solid retaining wall:

A retaining wall needs to retain all the material that fills the space between itself and the failure planethe steepest angle at which existing soil can hold itself together before caving in.

Water can weaken retaining walls by washing out the base material that supports the wall (Fig. E). But far more frequently, it causes problems by building up behind the wall, saturating the soil and applying incredible pressure. Thats when walls start leaning, bulging and toppling. Well built walls are constructed and graded to prevent water from getting behind the wall and to provide a speedy exit route for water that inevitably weasels its way in.

Take a look at the well-drained wall in Fig. D. The sod and topsoil are almost even with the top block, so surface water flows over the top rather than puddling behind. Just below that is 8 to 12 in. of packed impervious soil to help prevent water from seeping behind the wall. The gravel below that soil gives water that does enter a fast route to the drain tile. And the perforated drain tile collects the water and directs it away from the base of the wall, escorting it out through its open ends. Theres nothing to prevent water from seeping out between the faces of the blocks, either; that helps with the drainage too. The wall even has porous filter fabric to prevent soil from clogging up the gravel. What youre looking at is a well-drained wall that will last a long time.

Now look at the poorly drained wall in Fig. E. Theres a dip in the lawn that collects water near the top of the wall. Theres no impervious soil, so the water heads south, slowly waterlogging and increasing the weight of the soil packed behind the wall. The homeowner put plastic against the back of the wall to prevent soil from oozing out between the cracksbut its also holding water in. Yikes! Theres no drain tile at the bottomthe trapped water can soak, soften and erode the base material. Not only that, an excavated trench that extends below the base lets water soak into the base material and weaken it. Youve got a retaining wall that has to hold back tons and tons of water and saturated soiland when that water freezes and expands in the winter, matters get even worse.

A strong retaining wall design features well-compacted base material, compacted material in front of the wall to prevent kick-out, and stepped-back materials.

A wall that has an uneven base, no compacted material in front of it and no step-back to the materials will eventually fail.

Even if you have only a small wedge of soil to retain like that shown in Fig. A, compaction is important. If your failure plane is farther back so your wall needs to retain more fill, weight and pressure, then compaction and a reinforcing grid become critical. These two things help increase internal friction and direct the pressure of the fill you add downward (Fig. F), rather than at an angle pushing against the wall. Good compaction doesnt mean dumping a couple of feet of fill behind the wall, then jumping up and down on it in your work boots.

Nope, good compaction means adding 3 or 4 in. of material, compacting it with a heavy, noisy vibrating plate tamper from your friendly neighborhood rental yard, then repeating these steps over and over. Your landscape supplier or block manufacturer (if youre using modular blocks) can tell you whether you need to install reinforcing grid, and at what intervals. The taller the wall, the more likely youll need reinforcing grid.

When building a retaining wall, never backfill with, or compact, topsoil; it will break down and settle, creating a water-welcoming trench behind your wall. Use sandy or gravelly materials, which compact much better. And always make certain you dont become overzealous and compact your wall outward.

From top to bottom, a well-built wall either prevents water from getting behind the wall or ushers it away quickly when it does.

Water trapped behind a wall pushes against it and increases the weight of the soil, which also pushes against it.

By themselves, landscape timbers and a railroad tie retaining wall lack the weight to hold back soil. To make these walls strong, you need to add deadmen, anchors that lock the wall into the soil behind them (Fig. G). The same pressure thats pushing against the wall pushes down on the deadmen to keep them (and therefore the wall) in place. The principles of stepping back, installing good drainage and compacting also apply to timber walls.

Walls of any material that are taller than 4 ft. play by the same rulesits just that the wedge of soil is too big and heavy to be held in place by the weight of the materials alone. Some communities now require building permits and construction details for walls exceeding 4 ft. in height. We think thats a good idea too. Many modular block manufacturers can supply printed sheets of structural information.

For tall slopes, a series of tiered walls is a good substitute for a single tall wall. But an upper tier can apply pressure to a lower tier unless its spaced the proper distanceyou know, behind the failure plane. The rule of thumb is to set back the upper wall twice the height of the lower wall.

Compacting backfill in 3- to 4-in. layers and installing a reinforcement grid directs pressure downward, rather than against the wall.

A deadman helps anchor a timber wall in place when building a retaining wall. The same pressure thats pushing against the wall is pushing and holding the deadmanand therefore the wallin place.

Have the necessary tools for this DIY how to build a retaining wall project lined up before you startyoull save time and frustration.

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time for this how to build a retaining wall project. Heres a list.

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How to Build a Retaining Wall Stronger | Family Handyman

1. Incorporate the Wall Into Your Lifestyle

Retaining walls are usually thought of as utilitarian and for merely holding back soil. But you can use them to create beautiful outdoor living spaces and incorporate multi-use spaces.

Retaining walls don't have to be perfectly straight. Add a curve to dress up a boring straight wall and to add a little more texture to your landscape. You can use a garden hose or large rope to set the layout of the curve, then use a shovel to cut through the soil to follow the curve.

Smaller retaining walls, such as those less than four feet, can be easily planned and created without worrying too much about structure. Larger walls above that height may need an engineer's touch. Also be sure to check with local codes before starting one more than four feet tall.

From a lower grade, you'll need to gradually step up the retaining wall to reach a greater slope. Do this in increments and plan for a slight offset for each course change.

Besides offering a consistent look, manufactured blocks and stones for retaining walls offer structural integrity and an even base with which to work. There is little guesswork in installing, plus you'll have less work to do making sure each course is level. Be sure to color match and space out uneven colored stones and blocks for a better look.

Dig out your base several inches below grade and tamp/compact it to level. Add any filler, such as gravel, before adding your first stones or blocks. Remember, the base sets the tone for the entire wall, so spend a lot of time in preparing this key component.

A retaining wall that has a slope dropping to it will need additional drainage at the base. Add gravel and a fabric-covered drainage pipe at the base. The fabric will help prevent clogging of the pipe — a key feature as you will not want to dig out the pipe later to unclog it.

For each course of stones and blocks, be sure to check for level. This will help maintain a sturdy and balanced wall, plus you'll keep an even and consistent look.

Backfilling as you go adds support in success layers, so as you add a new course of blocks or stones, backfill to match this level. Be sure to tamp in/compact the soil as well, so you don't have as much settling later.

Add cap blocks to the top row of a block or stone retaining wall. You can add a layer of masonry adhesive to hold them in place, then back fill. Or you can backfill as you go, then add the cap. Either way, it provides a nice finished look, much like edging added to a paver patio.

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10 Things You Must Know About Retaining Walls | DIY

Our experts prefer crushed stone for the base rather than naturally occurring gravel dug from a pit. Crushed stone is a little more expensive. However, it provides better drainage, and because of the sharper angles on the stone, it requires less compacting, and once its compacted, it stays that way.

Joe and Jake have found that crushed stone sized between 1/2 in. and 3/4 in. is best suited to handle the heaving forces created by the harsh freeze/thaw cycles here in Minnesota. Avoid rounded stones like pea gravel or river rock; they dont form strong interlocking bonds like angular stone.

Leave the stone no more than 1/2 in. higher than you want the final height to be, and then make a couple passes with a hand tamper or plate compactor. Youll notice the stone is almost 100 percent compacted as soon as its laid in the trench. The same type of stone will be used for backfilling, which also eliminates the need for hauling in multiple materials.

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Build a Long-Lasting Block Retaining Wall | Family Handyman

Retaining walls often serve a very important role of preventing soil erosion and maintaining the grade of a landscape. They often hold the land back, preventing it from sliding. Retaining walls can be as beautiful as they are functional and can be the focal point of a landscape. Many different materials can be used to blend with any design and the cost of a retaining wall can vary.

There are several factors that affect the price of a retaining wall, mainly labor and materials needed for the project.

Labor is a significant cost for any construction project, and that cost will vary depending on the size, scale, and complexity of the landscaping project. Labor to construct a retaining wall often ranges between $50-$60 per hour, but the amount of labor needed will need to be estimated. Consider requesting a professional retaining wall estimate to get an accurate labor cost. You may be able to complete the project yourself as well, minimizing labor costs.

Retaining wall material can range in price from $10-$40 per square foot, with some material options including cinder block, wood, interlocking concrete block, natural stone, or poured concrete.

Cinder block is a cost effective material for a retaining wall, and usually runs between $10-$15 per square foot. Cinder block is often not the most desirable choice for a retaining wall since it is not structurally designed for lateral support and to hold the land back, but may be used for short retaining walls. Cinder block can be plastered or painted to improve the cosmetic appearance. Check out our concrete block calculator to estimate how many cinder blocks you will need for your wall.

Wood timbers are a great material for retaining walls since they are beautiful and strong. Wood timbers often cost $15-$25 per square foot. Wood walls often last many years, however they do tend to rot and degrade over time and will eventually need to be replaced.

Interlocking concrete blocks are beautiful and designed and structured specifically for use in retaining walls. Block walls usually cost $20-$30 per square foot, which can vary depending on the type of block used. Concrete block walls can last a lifetime when installed correctly and add beauty to almost any landscape. Estimate how many blocks you need for your retaining wall.

Natural stone retaining walls are very attractive, and stones can range in size from a few inches to a several feet. Natural stone usually costs $25-$40 per square foot but usually cost a bit more than concrete blocks to install. Learn more about installing natural stone retaining walls.

Poured concrete has become more popular for use in retaining walls as color and patterns have become more commonly used, making them look much better than a plain concrete wall. Poured concrete is often the most expensive choice for a wall at about $30-$40 per square foot, but is also extremely durable. When installed correctly a poured concrete wall will last a very long time with virtually no maintenance.

People often overlook some additional materials needed to install any retaining wall. A proper wall installation often starts with a solid base, sometimes gravel, sand, or concrete. Walls also need a way to drain excess water from behind the wall, which requires gravel, backing, and drain materials. After the wall is constructed fill material will be needed for behind the wall, but often this is available on site. Consider the cost of these extra materials when estimating the cost of your wall project.

Other factors can affect the cost of a retaining wall. Once common factor is the amount of excavation needed for the project and the material that needs to be excavated. Removing rock and boulders will be more labor intensive then removing dirt for example. The height of a wall can also affect the cost. Higher walls need to have a stronger base, more drainage, more excavation, and often require more planning and engineering. Adding steps to a wall can also add to the cost, so consider that when estimating your project. Every property is different so always consider getting professional estimates for a more accurate cost assessment of your retaining wall.

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How Much Does It Cost to Build a Retaining Wall in 2018 ...

Let the strength and durability of hand-crafted, specially-designed concrete not only enhance the aesthetic value of your home, but provide the structural support you need as well. StoneMakers of Pittsburgh has the ability to create a custom concrete retaining wall for your Pittsburgh home that will last for decades. Our retaining walls are functional while increasing the value of your home. Our experience and our high-quality product have made us the number one concrete retaining wall designer and installer in western Pennsylvania.

Retaining walls are used in many residential and commercial areas. They add beauty to a front yard, back yard, or entrance way, but they also have an important and functional purpose: They prevent rock, soil, and vegetation from falling into a home, building, or other structure, such as a driveway or parking lot.

Retaining walls are commonly used around new construction areas, especially in the Pittsburgh area, since western Pennsylvania terrain is very hilly. Youve no doubt seen retaining walls on the highway and outside of businesses on hillsides.Most retaining walls are designed to prevent unstable soil from sliding into a yard or building.

StoneMakers designs and installs the best retaining walls in the Pittsburgh area. Our knowledge and products are second to none, and we back up every installation with our service guarantee.

We use only the highest-quality product: a solid monolithic concrete that is cast as one piece. This kind of concrete is durable, is stronger than stone, and can be used in both hot and cold climates. The concrete is poured, carved and textured to look just like real rock, and it lasts for a lifetime. Using a special technique, we can make the concrete appear as distressed rock, giving your outdoor area a new, natural look. We have different rock patterns available and will be glad to show you each.

A concrete retaining wall is not a DIY project. They should only be designed by a professional who understands the proportioning of the wall, its structural design, and the minimum reinforcement cover. StoneMakers will determine the dimension of the walls by calculating the slope of the ground, evaluating the type of soil in your yard, and measuring the proposed length of the wall. In addition, a drainage system will have to be installed to prevent groundwater from exerting further pressure on the wall.We do great work, but we also work quickly because we have more than 25 years of experience. We can be finished with a 50 foot by 5 foot retaining wall within 3-5 days. (A traditional stone wall will cost much more and take several weeks to complete.) We guarantee that you will love the design of your new retaining wall!

Call StoneMakers today to learn more about our decorative concrete retaining walls and take a look at this video to see just how we install retaining walls.

If youre interested in seeing more of our excellent retaining wall work, feel free to continue on to our retaining walls gallery page!

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Retaining Walls Pittsburgh | StoneMakers of Western PA

Poured retaining walls with elaborate curves require complex formwork and will drive up cost for a wall.

The total cost to have a concrete retaining wall installed will be a combination of material and labor prices. For a basic wall you can expect to pay between $30 and $40 per square foot. If you add a decorative finish, curves, steps, lighting or other upgrades, the cost will rise.

What factors influence the cost of a concrete wall?

For Ralston, $39 per square foot is the average cost he charges for a wall under 4 feet tall. For walls below 4 feet, he says his prices are often competitive with finished block. A block wall has to be stuccoed or finished with veneer, while a concrete wall does not need an added finish. If the concrete mix was integrally colored, all you need to do is remove the forms. This can be an area where concrete has a cost advantage over other retaining wall materials. Furthermore, concrete walls can be stamped to look like stone at a much lower price than a natural stone wall.

Protecting Your InvestmentHiring a contractor who is experienced with pouring concrete walls will ensure that you get a quality product that will last for years. When constructing a concrete wall it is imperative that the forms be built properly, or else the end result could have waves or bulges that make it appear sloppy. Waterproofing and drainage are also important elements of wall construction that Ralston stresses as essential. He warns that without the proper waterproofing, moisture could move through the wall and discolor the finished surface. Without the proper drainage, hydrostatic pressure could build up behind the wall and cause it to lean outwards. Fixing these problems can be quite costly and may even lead to demolishing the existing wall and re-pouring fresh concrete with the proper construction methods. To avoid maintenance issues, costly repairs or complete replacement, shop around for a contractor with proven experience in building concrete retaining walls.

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Concrete Retaining Wall Cost - The Concrete Network

Secaucus Retaining Wall Construction

Wood, bricks, blocks, concrete AAP Construction has built retaining walls from all these materials in Secaucus, New Jersey and we'll be pleased to build a retaining wall for your property in your choice of materials.

A Secaucus retaining wall can separate an elevated patio from the rest of your property, enclose a raised flower bed, or protect a vegetable garden we've done them all since 1993. Your Secaucus retaining wall may be a purely functional one built of concrete. Or you can have a purely ornamental one built from multi-hued stones. Call us at (973) 298-1013 and we'll spoil you with choices and give you attractive prices with no sales pressure!

Whichever materials you choose, rest assured that your Secaucus retaining wall will be rigorously constructed. Would you believe that there is some science to building retaining walls? The main purpose of a retaining wall is to separate and hold back soil layers so a retaining wall has to have the requisite strength to hold back a certain tonnage of soil. Having been in the Secaucus masonry business since 1993, AAP Construction knows how to 'do the math.'

No matter what the needs of any resident of Secaucus, NJ, we have him or her covered. We'll build a standard gravity wall, a cantilevered wall when extra buttressing is needed, and, where the soil pressure is extreme, an anchor wall which has bulbous, concrete subsoil 'anchors'.

Let us do your Secaucus retaining wall job, big or small call us now at (973) 298-1013 for a no-obligation visit and a free quote!

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Pawan in Richmond Hill, NY

"He is a great great guy, very responsible company which is hard to find. I had him do a small project for me in the past, before we started this larger project. I have a lot of confidence in his work and what I like is that he delivers what he promises."

John

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Pittsburgh Retaining Walls

J Birds Landscaping LLC buildsretaining walls in Pittsburgh from the ground up, as well as repairs to the rugged wall you may currently have. We specialize in Precast and VERSA-LOK retaining wall systems, which provide strength, durability and reliability. This is an excellent way to add style and value to your home!

Retaining walls are often built as something that is pleasing to the eye; whether constructed to provide a tiered effect, or to showcase specific types of plants. Retaining walls can offer low maintenance on a difficult slope, hill or landscape.

In Pittsburgh, however, we have many hills and valleys, so it is important to have the right concrete structure around your yard. Homeowners can find shifts or settling in and around their property, and retaining walls offer a solution to keep soil where it belongs. Retaining walls help disperse water, offer a comfortable habitat for plants and vegetation, and give a break from constant lawn maintenance. Feel free to fill out our request form to the left, or head to Service Area Page to learn more about our retaining walls and services!

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Pittsburgh Retaining Walls | J Bird's Landscaping

City officials said more than 28,000 vehicle trips are made each day along College Avenue between Cleburn and Prospect streets.

Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer

Fayetteville will soon have yet another piece of large-scale public art.

City officials are seeking an artist to create a mural on the old retaining wall along North College Avenue between Cleburn and Prospect streets.

The area is currently receiving a major overhaul as part of the College Avenue Improvement Project, which includes adding new sidewalks, lighting and street trees in the half-mile stretch of road between Maple and North streets. Crews completed work on the east side of College Avenue early this year, and work on the west side began in April.

The original plan was to plant street trees on the west side of the road, but crews discovered a fiber line buried in a vault underneath the existing sidewalk. Officials said the available soil depth is not able to sustain healthy trees, and the costs to relocate the line are too high.

In an effort to incorporate some type of functional aesthetics on the east side of the road, the city asked for and received approval from the Arkansas Department of Transportation to install a 1,654-square-foot mural on the original retaining wall that now separates the new sidewalk and the new multi-use trail.

Chris Brown, Fayettevilles city engineer, said the old retaining wall was kept because the soils behind it were too poor to replace it entirely with a new wall closer to the businesses on that side of the road.

We wouldve had to remove so much soil that the buildings near the right of way would have been damaged, Brown said. So, we left the wall in place and installed the sidewalk near the top of the wall, then constructed a smaller wall behind the sidewalk.

An online form is available through Sept. 12 for artists to submit a resume, list of qualifications and work samples.

Once the submissions are in, the Fayetteville Arts Council will meet to select three artists from the applications to submit formal proposals for a mural on the wall. The artist chosen to complete the work will receive a stipend of $17,367. The other two artists will receive $250 each for compensation of their time.

According to the project timeline (see below), the mural is expected to be completed by Nov. 9.

Visit city website to submit an application

Sept. 5 Call for artist qualificationsSept. 12 Submission form closes at 7 p.m.Sept. 13 Fayetteville Arts Council meets to select three finalistsSept. 14 Three finalists notified to produce renderingsSept. 25 Renderings dueSept. 27 Fayetteville Arts Council meets to select final artistSept. 28 Artist notified and contract process startsOct. 5 Contract process complete at 12 p.m.Oct. 13 Mural work beginsNov. 9 Mural work ends (artist must complete mural within 10 calendar days).

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Fayetteville seeks artists for mural along College Avenue ... - Fayetteville Flyer

POST FALLS A lonely, dirt-filled, circular retaining wall in White Pine Park won't be lonely anymore.

It is now the home of the Kootenai County Kindness Wall, courtesy of the new painting-hiding-finding rock group, KC Rocks.

Everybody has a right to have a smile and a reason for joy, said Post Falls mom Winn Koehler, who arranged the new wall last week. Everybody should be able to feel a little bit of kindness every day in their life.

Koehler originally organized a rock-trading kindness wall in Falls Park where little children and disabled individuals could easily access thecache of decorated rocks and participate in the rock painting/trading community, but it was destroyed.

"This is for little kids and the disabled that actually cant go out and rock hunt, Koehler said about a month ago. "Theres a gal who comes to Falls Park who is in a wheelchair, and she cant actively go out and find the rocks, but she could pull right up to my wall and get a rock, trade them out. The little guys have a hard time finding them and they get discouraged when they dont. I figured this is a good thing for them.

For a week she enjoyed bringing her own wee ones to sit on a nearby bench and witness the magic.

"The excitement and squeals I heard from the little kids when they come up and see all these beautiful rocks was amazing," she said back then. "The joy you could hear in their voices was amazing. It was the greatest feeling ever. It made me emotional. Youd see the big smiles on their face. It was well worth it."

Unfortunately, the Falls Park wall was destroyed by unknown persons who threw the painted rocks into the Spokane River. Koehler's friend, Debby Carlson, who also assisted with the White Pine kindness wall, said the destruction of the Falls wall was "heartbreaking."

I was like, Oh my God, after all the work shes done for this, Carlson said, gesturing to the White Pine wall. "We don't want to see this one destroyed."

A friend of Koehler's donated a heavy rock slab to mark the new wall. It tells the three steps necessary to be a part of the KC Rocks community: Take one rock so you have a bit of kindness, leave one to spread the kindness and share one sothe kindness wall can grow.

For info and photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/353956238371586/ or visit the KC Kindness Wall KC Rocks Facebook page.

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Wall-to-wall kindness - Coeur d'Alene Press