Hi friends! After being quoted absurd amounts, which I understand, but still absurd, I decided I can DIY this. I am building two retaining walls, 40 ft in length and each will be 28 inches high. Stairs will be put in as well. I and my neighbors are on top of a hill and I understand their slopes moderately effect my yard. Drainage is my most important focus. As well as firm footing for my blocks.
I will be using nicoblock for my wall and proper gravel as well as drainage to help. I’m in a clay dense area. Any tips or “wish I knew” would be greatly appreciated. Here are images of my slope as well as the AI generated pics. Yes, this is a feat and yes it’s not going to be done in one weekend. This is my spring and summer project.
Happy to document and share videos/lessons/ ER Visits
by No-Communication-788
6 Comments
Are you aware that all the water from your roof and yard appear to drain right into this area?
Curious how much the quotes were
I hope the best for you! Doing these projects myself, “i wish i knew how much my body would hurt after hauling all that damn rock” good luck sir!
The base layer is always the most important. Make sure you dig a good footer and compact the ABC in 4-6″ lifts instead of filling the whole thing and compacting just the surface. Consider landscape fabric underneath the ABC to keep the base from mixing with the subsoil. And the best walls I’ve seen have a mesh material laid on top of the blocks every few courses and extends into the backfill to help hold the wall tight to the soil. And youre right that drainige is a major factor; looks like you’ve thought through that already. A french drain behind the bottom of each wall with a good backfill of washed stone works well; just extend the drains far enough that the runoff won’t undercut your base. Hope that helps!
Also, you might need permits and an engineer’s stamp for the tiered walls. Depends on the code where you live
Whatever you do won’t be as good as this pic. Most important factor is getting your grading right.
100%. AI makes me want to do it now. But I still have another two months of planning it all out. I want to make this a sturdy fella