Cobblestone retaining wall construction tricks: Block retaining walls are lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to build. They come in a wider range of styles and colours and are more versatile than concrete sleepers, creating curves and tiered walls can be achieved with ease. Block retaining walls have a wide footprint so if your access is tight or room on your property is at a premium then blocks would not be for you.
How wide should a retaining wall trench be? The trench you are going to build your retaining wall in should be wide, deep, and level. Size the trench so there’s enough room for the block and at least 8 inches of space behind it. Excavate deep enough to completely bury at least one full course, including space for 6 to 8 inches of base material. Establish a level trench to ensure an even layer of base material. That will help prevent the wall from tipping after freeze/thaw cycles. Our experts use a laser level and a story pole to determine the depth of the trench.
DON’T forget to allow for drainage. Groundwater is the natural enemy of retaining walls. When it saturates clay-type soils, they swell and put excessive pressure on the backside of the wall. To avoid failure, make drainage provisions at the same time as you go about building the retaining wall. Backfilling the space behind the blocks with crushed stone and then installing a flexible perforated drainpipe (available at The Home Depot), also called “drain tile,” at the base of the wall could create the necessary escape route for groundwater. The perforated pipe will carry groundwater to each end of the wall where it can drain harmlessly away. The ends of the drainpipe should then exit on each end of the wall, and you may cover them with crushed stone to camouflage their appearance.
No matter if you choose to build your retaining wall out of block, brick, stone, wood or concrete, the goal should be to integrate the retaining wall into your landscape. The angle of a sloping lawn should never be greater than 45 degrees, and the gentler the slope, the better. The higher the wall, the gentler the slope will be. After determining the wall height, check local building codes. Many municipalities require a building permit and an engineer’s approval before a wall higher than 3 feet can be built. For taller projects, some careful engineering is required to construct a sturdy, long-lasting wall. Find additional info on https://retainingwallscolorado.com/.
Colorado Retaining Wall specializes in the building and repair of retaining walls. Whether the wall is for a backyard or driveway of a residence or a commercial Shopping Center, we design and build large block walls for all Earth retention requirements. We have the ability to fortify the wall with shotcrete or soil nails which would include helical tie-backs or micropiles. Nearly every wall we build requires engineering and we have deep relationships with engineers that work hand-in-hand with our foremen regardless of the size of project. Please read our reviews and look and our photo gallery.