How To Build a Retaining Wall (Step-by-Step)
How To Build a Retaining Wall (Step-by-Step)
Like the flagstone patio? Here’s how I built it – https://youtu.be/oPDW1xQ7_SE
List of tools and materials and more details – https://www.handymanstartup.com/build-retaining-wall/
In this video I show you exactly how to build a retaining wall with landscape blocks.
You’ll learn how to design your retaining wall, the tools you need, how to build it step by step, and even some retaining wall design ideas.
First, I’ll walk you through how to design your retaining wall, and the critical components you need to include so your retaining wall doesn’t fail. Things like proper drainage, a solid base material, and making sure you dig deep enough so the retaining wall doesn’t fall over.
Most people skip critical steps, like digging deep enough for a 6″ packed gravel base – which is critical for the structural integrity of your wall. Or, even worse, they don’t install a gravel base at all.
You’ll also learn the importance of using 3/4″ gravel behind your retaining wall blocks so excess moisture doesn’t build up behind the wall and potentially cause it to fall over.
Then, I’ll demonstrate how wide to dig the trench before building your wall, and what to consider when planning that out. In this video I built a curved wall with a cool step feature.
Then, we’ll go right into building it, starting with the first row of blocks., which you’ll need to make sure are perfectly level. I’ll share some tips (use sand) for making this much easier so you can save time.
This home improvement project will have a dramatic impact on your landscape, and it doesn’t cost that much. In fact, this 50′ long wall, that is 3′ tall, only cost me about $1,000 in materials total. That’s pretty amazing considering the transformation it made to my backyard.
I think you’ll like this video, because it includes a time-lapse of building the wall as well – so you can get an idea of exactly how much work goes into installing a retaining wall – which is a lot!
—About Handyman Startup —————————
Handyman Startup is a website designed to help you turn your DIY skills into a profitable handyman business. Learn things like how to start your business from scratch, how to get customers, and how to price your services – even if you only have limited handyman skills.
Very few people know you can generate a six figure income as a handyman while only offering basic services like hanging pictures and TVs, patching drywall, fixing fences, and other small, but simple repairs.
—Related Videos ——————————
How to Build a Flagstone Patio: https://youtu.be/oPDW1xQ7_SE
—Related Links ———————————
My website on how to start a handyman business: https://www.HandymanStartup.com
My website where I share DIY tutorials: https://www.DIYwithDan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handymanstartup/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HandymanStartup
Awesome video. Very informative and useful! Used this video to construct our own wall. Turned out looking great. Thank you for this video.
As a geotechnical engineer that designs retaining walls for some projects I can confirm with this design for this type of blocks. Pretty cool small project you can diy for your home as well
Great video. Does the gravel replace the need for a membrane behind the retaining wall?
Great video. How do you measure the amount of gravel to use?
would it work fine to put a small (maybe 1") layer of sand on top of your compacted gravel before you place you bottom row of blocks?
I just bought a house and noticed allot of erosion. Looks like they put 2 side retaining walls for front left side and back left side. They didn’t dig down to cover half of the bottom block. I have noticed that some of the blocks have moved forward away from the back filled dirt and I have also noticed that in the front yard there’s allot of erosion. I’m planning on doing the retaining walls. I want to put nice pavers instead of the concrete blocks that the previous owner used. Could I put my new retaining wall in front of the previous concrete blocks but put enough space in between so that the previous blocks doesn’t push against my wall? Maybe even put rebar in front of the old concrete wall. I’m assuming that you’re going to tell me that I need to get rid of the old wall but I thought I would ask just in case.
I really want to give you 1000👍🏻
Good job
Thinking of doing this how has this held up any changes you would make if you had it to do over thanks
I watched all your video even if Ill never need to build a retaining wall, looks beautiful man, good job!
Nice !
Play at 1.5x speed.
As a 10 year professional and builder this is a top notch video. You sir are legit.
Great video, thank you sir. I appreciate all of the tips you said to help us novices!
I never comment on videos but DAMN. it looks amazing and so well done.
anyone 2021？
That wall is coming down. No security anchor.
Hey great. Very informative. Do you recommend putting a plastic sheet behind the wall to prevent water seepage through the blocks at the front ??
Great video! I noticed that you didn’t use geogrid. When is that necessary?
Yep, $1,000 in 2016. Nowadays post covic-19 it’s going to cost $5,000 or more, forget about finding extra labor to help. Thanks dem’s…
do you need a membrane barrier behind the retaining wall?
Pink Floyd would be proud…..great wall!
Your wall is cool dude. I just started mine hope to be done in the fall.
Hate that man made concrete.
Great video thank you!
Where is your drain tile?
Nice video! When do you need to put rebars to the wall? Are they necessary?
good vid. you should get a smaller level
Good video. What kind of glue?
does small retaining wall like this needs a french drain or no need?
Is the fence being used as the retaining wall on the left?
Niceee! You’ve made me a better builder! Thank you…
well spent money
How wide does gravel base need to be for that block?
Very good job explaining, one of the best how-to videos I have watched. (and Iv’e watched a lot) I like how thorough you were. You also did it in a quick fashion. Showing all the tools the way you did at the end is another great job. If I were a teacher, you get an A+
Great video, bad mustache
So exactly how many layers of brick are basically underground and not seen? At least one… maybe even two?
Question…..my neighbors retaining wall is falling apart….made outta cinder blocks….they have no intentions of ever fixing it and it’s about to collapse into my driveway….I started building a brick retaining wall in front of it….but since theirs is leaning in so many different ways I had to put a gap of about 6 inch’s in between walls to keep mine straight….can I pour concrete in between the walls or ????…..about 3ft wall
Exactly size n type of wall for my yard..before is what my backyard looks like..thanks
Amazing. All it took was 1 video to realize I am not gonna even try to do this lol. Great video btw.
Great job!
That looks like Kamloops in the background.
Dan, you did an amazing job on this retaining wall. The very attractive design and your How-To idea was possibly the best I have ever seen. Kudos! You have a new subscriber and I am forwarding to friends and family.
Real question: where can I find blocks with a lip? Your link takes to home depot in US and that model is not available.(This item is not available in any stores within 100 miles of 30308.) I live in Canada and checked Home depot, Rona and Lowes and nobody sells blocks with a lip. I think I do need the lipped blocks as my current wall, built with logs and held by a wood fence is tilting badly due to pressure from the weight. If I use these non lipped blocks they will be even weaker and get pushed over. How can I build a wall with plain blocks??
You don’t have a string set up for the straight run and I also notice that you didn’t level the blocks to a particular level, you seemed to just left each block to themselves not to the rest of the wall? Is that correct?
..I would add geotextile to hold back the earth at the rear wall to keep gravel clean over the time.
You are not using cement to bond the blocks, so they are just laid loosely on top of one another, is this going to be adequate to hold back the earth behind?
What did you fill the cells with? Good video otherwise, thanks!
Is there anything I need to know when butting up the front of the retaining wall to a concrete pad?
1) Can you explain type 2 gravel (paver base) is it different than the 3/4 crushed that is used for the back fill??
2) Can I add sand to make it type 2??
3) Do you knock off bottom back ledge on bottom row??
very useful and efficient