Building retaining walls for gardens, backyards, parks, or whatever is no longer an intimidating and costly task thanks to the help from the Internet. These walls can be built with just a few clicks. Many online resources offer easy-to-understand instructions that will help you build a retaining walls. Here’s a quick overview of what it requires to construct retaining walls.
The four essential requirements in learning how to build a retaining wall include: proper foundation, appropriate concrete mix, a sturdy paver base, and good cutting method. If one of these components are lacking then the wall will most likely collapse. Here’s a list of common material choices as well as the appropriate concrete mix types:
Concrete Blasting: This method of how to build a retaining wall utilizes larger rounded stones to create a frame for the wall. It is usually implemented when there is no need for additional Retaining Walls Melbourne within a given area. The basic concept of blasting is to create a surface by pounding the ground and adding compacted gravel (or solid ground) to the edge. Then the blocks are stacked one atop another until a proper wall frame is achieved.
Slope Steps: When looking at how to build a retaining wall that needs to be constructed on a sloping site, consider using a series of steps instead of just one large step. These steps will create a more visual impact as the wall is lapped at various angles. Also, by placing the steps on the slope the work area will be cleaner and less hazardous.
Trench Step: This method of how to build a retaining wall involves excavating an area several feet below the area where the wall will be built. Using a trench pump (or similar mechanism) the excavated soil is pumped into the trench, which may be up to three feet below the ground level. After the dirt has been raised to the proper level, it is leveled and compacted. Then the blocks are installed either with the use of hand trowels or a machine-high wall brick system. Another variation is to angle the mortar joints to ensure a steeper wall that will be more durable.
Concrete B bricks: A popular method of how to build a retaining wall that uses concrete blocks is known as bollard. The concept is similar to a trench, however the work is done on a sloping site. A series of small bollards are installed along the edge of the landscape soil. These bollards are concreted bricks or other solid surface, and the exposed concrete is placed in a series on the lower portion of the bollard. The concrete is concreted to form a rigid frame structure that can serve as a sturdy support for any type of edging system, or as a walking surface.
Masonry Chisel: A landscape contractor may choose to use a masonry chisel as the main tool for how to build a retaining wall system. While a masonry chisel may not be as large as a shovel, it does make sense to look at the size difference when you are comparing the costs. Masonry chisel requires two hands to operate, and the surface that it will be cutting on must be cleared before it can be used. If the work site is moving, the chisel may have to be moved with it, too. And if there are multiple levels of wall needing to be created, the landscape contractor may choose to use a smaller hammer instead of a larger chisel.
Hauling Forklift: The landscape contractor who is doing a project in a neighborhood may want to consider renting a piece of equipment that allows him to move large pieces of earth and haul it away when needed. This is particularly useful if the area being maintained has steep grade changes and poor visibility. A haul truck is just the right size for how to build a retaining wall system, and it can usually handle cutting edge projects without requiring the presence of another machine. Landscaping trimmers can also be rented to cut down on the amount of wood to be used, because a trimming machine is designed to handle narrower cuts.