How do I go about building a small stone retaining wall?

Susan
by Susan



  5 answers
  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Feb 16, 2019

    Susan,. Do you have large rocks or bolders ?? Start building a row as long as you want. Pile the next row on top of that. Try. to fill in the spaces between the rocks. We had stone walls, that were used instead of fences at my summer home. Aloha!

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Feb 16, 2019

    You'll need a foundation, if it's above 2'. I would look on line for foundation options. You'll need to hand fit the stones and be prepared to modify them with a stone chisel and hammer. Then back fill the high side with scrap stone and gravel, so that it drains.


    If it's above 3', then you'll need to go on-line and see what your city says about retaining walls. They have to have building permits (which means getting an architect or engineer involved) because of the liability potentials. There are very specific safety limits on how high the soil can be mounded up and how high the walls can be.

  • Oliva Oliva on Feb 16, 2019

    Roger Cooke, of This Old House had posted an instructional video to their website, dealing with this.

  • Deb K Deb K on Nov 07, 2022

    Hi Susan, hope this helps you out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIGIGShNr1E