Building a retaining wall not just adds to the aesthetics to your house, but it also strengthens the land by holding back materials from sliding or eroding. It keeps your landscape safe, managed, and orderly. What a retaining wall does is – protects the soil by holding roots in order and check during extreme weather such as wild storms, heavy rains, and soil erosion. There are many types of retaining walls one can choose from. A well-built retaining wall has many benefits like – it protects the structures, helps keep the features of the landscape preserved, and lets you create new outdoor areas for leisure or recreational purposes.
Here is the Step to step process to build a strong retaining wall:
We’ll keep it simple and add all the necessary steps. It doesn’t matter if you are doing it yourself (DIY) or going to hire a professional in both cases, you should have a good understanding of the process. Being aware of the Do’s and Don’ts would help you in the decision making process. Without further ado. Let’s head directly to the step by step process now.
Step 1 – Work on the Layout
You have to carefully work out your property boundaries. You can either do it yourself or hire a contractor for it.
Step 2 – Design draft
Once you have finalized the desired location, you need to draft the design including its height and scale of the retaining wall.
Step 3 – Finalize plans
Finalize and mark out accordingly
Step 4 – Excavate area
It is now time to start the excavation process.
Step 5 – Lay and compact road base & steel bar grid and set up wooden forms.
You have to lay the compact use road and lay the wooden forms and reinforcing mesh.
Step 6 – Pour the cement and mix the sand
Lay cement and the sand mix. Do ensure make it damp, not completely wet.
Step 7 – Level it properly
Level the cement properly and ensure it is distributed evenly everywhere.
Step 8 – Time for the first row of the retaining wall bricks
You can now start with the first row of wall brings but ensure all those blocks are interlocked and set firmly in cement for better grip.
Step 9 – Install drainage pipe
Depending upon the region and climate, you can decide to install a drainage pipe.
Step 10 – Continue with the remaining layers of bricks
Finish the process of laying the bricks but ensure they are interlocked because interlocking is the key to strength.
Step 11 – Take off lugs from top layer
You can use a toll like hammer to take off the lugs for the layers.
Step 12 – Install capping stones
It is now time for laying the capping stones.
Step 13 – Let everything dry
Give it sometime! Wait for it to dry and that’s it! You are done!
Retaining wall cost?
It can cost anywhere between $400-$4000, depending upon the type of work, finishing you need, and costs of materials.
There are different types of retaining walls for different types of locations and land. If you don’t have much knowledge, then you should hire a contractor. If you are looking for a trusted retaining walls contractor in Burlington, then you can contact us. At Harris Excavation, we specialize in building retaining walls and walkout basements. We are well known in the region for our timely services and quality work. Talk to our executive today to book an appointment.
