Lay out the wall and excavate the slope and the footing trench.
How to build a short concrete retaining wall.
Scrape off excess mortar.
Create contraction joints every 4 6 feet.
Measure and mark footing locations.
How to pour a concrete retaining wall.
If the wall exceeds four feet in height footings should be poured separately.
How to do it.
No mortar is needed.
Install the first course of blocks using a taut string line to establish a straight row.
See below for more information on contraction joints remove forms and install waterproofing and drainage system.
How to build a short retaining wall dig a trench.
These wood barriers hold the concrete in place as it dries so you will need to create 2 of them.
The cheapest and easiest material to use is 2 in 4 in 5 1 cm 10 2 cm boards cut from a softwood like pine.
Then use the marking paint and measuring tape to lay.
This is often the method used where the slope is quite steep.
Stack wood planks to create a frame for the wall.
Position your first block and use a standard level to make sure it s even.
Refer to the plan or schematic for the retaining wall.
Your retaining wall design will determine how you mark the area.
To mark a free form layout use a rope or hose to outline the shape.
Install a layer of large stones for good stability at the base.
Build and prep footing.
Finish the surface of the wall as desired.
Once the first row is installed pack native soil to grade level on both sides of this course to anchor the wall in place.
To create a flat area in front of the wall the process involves cutting back or notching into the slope then building a retaining wall to hold back the remaining hillside behind the wall.
Finish with crushed stone.
Then use a shovel to mark the outline.
Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and if it s against the house keep soil and mulch well below the siding.
Keep the boards less than 8 ft 2 4 m long so they aren t too difficult to handle.
Dig a trench about 12 deep to create a level surface before laying any stone.
If needed reposition it using additional.
Level to level blocks lengthwise and a torpedo level to level the front to back.
After you finish the first course fill the space between your retaining wall and.
Continue laying your first course of blocks making sure to check that every block is level.