DIY Tips: Preparation for Retaining Walls - 14/04/2010

There are so many choices of styles of retaining walls to choose from. Sometimes the choice will come down to the materials that will best suit the style of your house and yard, sometimes it will be driven by budget, and sometimes by the method and ease of construction.

Here are some tips for the preparation process of building a retaining wall that can help you with the decisions you make as well as give you a guide of things to be aware of as you plan.

Firstly, do some measurements. If you are planning on making a curved wall, perhaps get a length of rope or hose to lay out along the path of the wall to help visualise how the finished product will look. This will also help you when purchasing materials to get an accurate amount.

Then check the site, will there be any obstructions you need to plan for in the path of the retaining wall. Are there any nearby buildings, a swimming pool, a driveway or an existing wall in the area?

Then check the ground. Is the foundation of the retaining wall going to be firm and solid? If not, you may need to consider filling and compacting a trench to provide a firm foundation for your wall. Also consider the wall height, you may need to contact your local council for a permit or engage an engineer to be sure the wall is built to a safe standard.

Lastly check for drainage. Does the site have underground water problems, and do you have access to stormwater drains? Plan for your water drainage and runoff before you start building to avoid unnecessary heartache later. Also be sure to build the draining in behind the wall as you go, if you are unsure how best to do this, take a minute and check out our DIY Retaining Wall Video Series.

When building your wall, if you are using retaining wall blocks, be sure to get your first course right, take care to get it level both front to back as well as along the wall side to side. If building your retaining wall with timber, let the upright posts set well (usually 24 hours) before going to the next stage. If your site is sloping, plan to start building your wall at the lowest point and work uphill.

Lastly, do not cut corners. Build the wall properly and it will last you for many years to come. Be sure to fully understand what is required before you start. To help you along with this for Timber walls see the DIY Timber Retaining Wall Video Series, and for those building with Link Blocks, the DIY Link Block Retaining Wall Video Series will give you a great guideline so you can achieve a professional finish.

Happy Landscaping!
Karen Francis
Marketing and Design 
Centenary Landscaping Supplies

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