| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
Short Moss Rock Retaining Walls
Somebody called ? , thanks for the plug Harvey.
I guess the first thing to make painfully clear is that retaining walls are (or should be) like icebergs, only a small portion is actually visible. If that's not the case then the retaining wall will lean, shift, and eventaully tumble over.
You don't say so, but it sounds like you have an 8' change in grade that actually runs in two directions. It slopes down along the house wall to the walk-out, plus it slopes down to match grade going AWAY from the house. If this is the case the job will be a lot easier since you will have a 'ramp' to drive up to get to each wall, that being the terrace for the next wall.
While large random boulders (BFR's) can be used to build a wall they present several problems; placing them, ensuring they are well supported to prtevent future movement, filling the gaps between them, and finishing the top edge. Especially in a case where it next to your house you will want a way to bring turf right up to the edge, and still be able to easily maintain (cut) it. Likewise at the bottom, you will want to be able to cut right up to the lower edge. Irregular surfaces do look nice, but their a bugger to maintain.
As for the physical aspects of it, a 2-3' BFR is a heavy object, if it's a granitic type rock they could easily be 2,000+ pounds each. They are best placed with either a sling on a crane or a big excavator with a thumb, the latter being the easiest and fastest.
It's a pretty big job for the average DIY'er but far from impossible. It can be reduced a big by keeping some slope above and below and just build two 3' walls using up the other 2' in slopes. This will also look more natural.
As I stated above with the 'iceberg' comment, the prep. and footings are critical. A BFR that big needs at least a two base of large (1"+) crushed stone, well compacted, beneath it to keep it from moving. Drainage behind is equally important, water cannot be allow to filter out through the wall, it will cause erosion and de-stabilize the wall.
If the wall's are not going to be very long I would highly recommend using a precast concrete product. The time (and money) you will save building the walls should more than make up for the cost of purchasing the procuct. Precast would be a VERY easy DIY project, especially given the equipment you already have. You would only need to rent couple of small items to do a first class job.
Have a look at the site below, they have probably the best wall system there is (and not just because it was created by a friend of mine Tony Risi), it is VERY easy to install and extremely durable. Go to 'Products', 'Garden Walls' and then browse the options available. The 'Do-It-Yourself' section shows the basics of how it is done and there are some other neat resources on that site also.
Best of luck.
Link:  
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 77094 Filter by Poster: 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
()
Picture of the Day DennisCTB
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|