See the wall five years later – https://youtu.be/VKi3x8mtSog
Like the flagstone patio? Here’s how I built it – https://youtu.be/oPDW1xQ7_SE
List of tools and materials and more details – https://www.handymanstartup.com/build-retaining-wall/
In this video, I show you exactly how to build a retaining wall with landscape blocks.
You’ll learn how to design your retaining wall, the tools you need, how to build it step by step, and even some retaining wall design ideas.
First, I’ll walk you through how to design your retaining wall, and the critical components you need to include so your retaining wall doesn’t fail. Things like proper drainage, a solid base material, and making sure you dig deep enough so the retaining wall doesn’t fall over.
Most people skip critical steps, like digging deep enough for a 6″ packed gravel base – which is critical for the structural integrity of your wall. Or, even worse, they don’t install a gravel base at all.
You’ll also learn the importance of using 3/4″ gravel behind your retaining wall blocks so excess moisture doesn’t build up behind the wall and potentially cause it to fall over.
Then, I’ll demonstrate how wide to dig the trench before building your wall, and what to consider when planning that out. In this video, I built a curved wall with a cool step feature.
Then, we’ll go right into building it, starting with the first row of blocks., which you’ll need to make sure are perfectly level. I’ll share some tips (use sand) for making this much easier so you can save time.
This home improvement project will have a dramatic impact on your landscape, and it doesn’t cost that much. In fact, this 50′ long wall, which is 3′ tall, only cost me about $1,000 in materials total. That’s pretty amazing considering the transformation it made to my backyard.
I think you’ll like this video because it includes a time-lapse of building the wall as well – so you can get an idea of exactly how much work goes into installing a retaining wall – which is a lot!
—About Handyman Startup —————————
Handyman Startup is a website designed to help you turn your DIY skills into a profitable handyman business. Learn things like how to start your business from scratch, how to get customers, and how to price your services – even if you only have limited handyman skills.
Very few people know you can generate a six-figure income as a handyman while only offering basic services like hanging pictures and TVs, patching drywall, fixing fences, and other small, but simple repairs.
—Related Videos ——————————
How to Build a Flagstone Patio: https://youtu.be/oPDW1xQ7_SE
—Related Links ———————————
My website on how to start a handyman business: https://www.HandymanStartup.com
My website where I share DIY tutorials: https://www.DIYwithDan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handymanstartup/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HandymanStartup
49 Comments
As a geotechnical engineer that designs retaining walls for some projects I can confirm with this design for this type of blocks. Pretty cool small project you can diy for your home as well
Like the way he explains very throughly 👍
Nice job. I like that you don’t have caps. They are optional but many spend money for them. Looks fine without.
Nice DIY video. One question though… why is no glue used in all the layers; you use glue only in the top layer?
I just had my retaining wall done and they did not dig down or put gravel, I’m concerned… it’s a 70 ft by 2 1/2 ft wall. I tried telling the guy and he said there’s no need for gravel
Great educational video
I've got a fence on one side as well. It's ok to terminate a 3 foot wall directly against?
Nice job young man, excellent presentation.
Fantastic video! Well done dude!
Watching this convinced me that I definitely need a landscaper! 😊
Hello I'm from 2022 and this job cost me $2,000 whenever I had it quoted but when I went to the store it ended up being $3,000 so after the first couple weeks it was $4,000 and now I'm in it for five or $6,000.
Who manufactures your blocks? What are they called (their names)? What are the dimensions of your blocks (lxwxh)?. And, how much does each block weigh? ( In my design, I've chosen a Windsor block (4x7x11.5) because it weighs only 25lbs, but I doubt that I can build it 2 ft high (the manufacturer says that 2ft is possible but not recommended)
Great video. Very helpful. My friend is doing a retaining wall and I wanted to send her a good video.
Genuinely clicked to see how you dug the trench lol. Sad face
How to build a retaining wall on an existing parking pad with 5 inches slope?
I followed the video and made my own flower garden! I really appreciate your awesome video. I was able to properly prepare and lay my blocks. The results are stunning! 👍
Wow, it looks beautiful 😍 Thanks a lot xox
It's raise your property values and looks amazing
Great video!
This is really informative. One question, did you not need to use any building fabric? I know it depends on soil type but I was curious about your situation.
your supposed to also use a geogrid.
Will this work as creek retaining wall ? Please share your thoughts . .
Question: I bought a house that already had a retaining wall (3 blocks high, 4 meters long, 30 cm total height approx.). I just hammered every block apart because I have to move the whole wall a couple of meters away from the house. I'm using the same blocks. But the last owner used glue on ALL blocks. Not just the top layer. How come you build such high wall but only using glue on the top layer? Mine is a small wall, and he used glue on all blocks? Also: Is concrete too much as a base (under ground level) for such a small wall? The last owner just build it on top of some sand.
Great video! Very clear and thank you for explaining why you did what. Turned out great!
I'm worried about the integrity of my future wall. It'll be next to and going along my driveway, but the upper ground is a hill spanning mine and my neighbor's front yard. So the ground level above the wall will not be flat. Will that affect the pressure against my wall?
I told my wife that I've built a good sturdy retaining wall, she said well I don't see no wall, I said I've already built it in my mind.
How did you prepare the land before you installed the retainer wall. You said it’s rocky soil.
I have an area that I need to level and it'll take a retaining wall on one side. Similar to what you did here but a larger space. The plan in to put an above ground pool (10 x 12 or so pool). Can you yell me what kind of challenges I'm going to be dealing with here? Can I build a wall with the same kind of blocks? I plan to do this myself…. need some direction though… thanks in advance!!
Very Imformative! TY This was a great video to catch up on retaining walls. It's been a while since I helped build one. Tackling my own retaining wall project behind our new pool.
How many years will the wall last?
It’s beautiful. Well done!
Nice job! I would say to prevent the back soil from washing through the drainage rocks, add a geogrid cloth or landscaping coth between the rocks and the back soil. In the long run, it'll end up to be very beneficial. It add at least twice the life to the retaining wall. I had to redo my retaining wall after 10 years because I did not use the geogrid cloth.
How about a wall to keep away and out the liberal human? Now that would be a real breakthrough. Useless creatures.
Nice work.
Can i build the garden retaining wall 3 layers crossover on buried 3 inches sewer pvc pipe line. 1 paver has 24 lbs weight. I build with 3 layers .so weight will be 75 lbs . Sewer pipe can handle of that weight . Someone Please help me concern and instruction please .
Thank you for your comment about how long it takes a single person to complete the project. I've been working on my wall for the past few weeks and feeling like a loser for not making alot of progress. I'm glad it takes most people multiple months.
No rebar at all ?
Donald Trump would be proud 👍
It needs rebar and concrete support every so often. I like the steps at the end.
Thank you bro…..excellent, well done!
Excellent build
Do you think the depth that is dug to construct the wall 10ftX10ft
with no columns is sufficiently strong enough to withstand the great & desperate force the retaining wall to face from the wild wind/water. I do have solution which shall ensure the permanency of the wall to retain for ever. I am ready to have a discussion with you. My design is Titled as " Permanent prevention of erosion and progressive reclamation of Land from sea". Thanks pl. Anwar
It’s so beautiful. Thank you for sharing
You don't need rock for drainage for a 3ft wall, nor 6in of base. That's over doing it. Your wall will not fall forward realistically because dirt will pack in, the retaining wall blocks have lips, and Star Wars space ships aren't crashing into your wall. Now none of that is to say he's wrong it's just be realistic and don't over think things, it's not rocket science.
After the 1st layer…..does it matter how u feeling in the backside? Does the gravel go 1st or dirt then gravel build up?
I’ve watched this video several times for the educational and entertainment value. I’m prepping my own retaining wall soon and was wondering if you used an excavator to dig the trench or used other tools? I’m thinking of doing mine by hand but I also don’t want to break my back.
Great video! But I do need to know how to dig…did you dig down 9" by hand? My yard/dirt is limestone, impossible to dig.
6:25. Stay on target
Where is the geo grid?
The back of my property slopes downward big-time and the neighbors behind me are lower leveled anyways. I wanna utilize every inch of my property (I have a huge rectangle over an acre. All sun now.