Build A Backyard Retaining Wall Using Paving Stones

Building a retaining wall can add a great deal of value and character to your backyard. Common uses for retaining walls are to prevent flooding, to build a raised garden bed for flowers, vegetables, or other plants, and to hold up a small hillside so that you can install pathways in your garden.

For the best results with your retaining wall, consider using paving stones, which are easy to use and will give your wall a professional look. A professional, like T M Landscaping, can help you with this endeavor. This article will go over the details of how to build a retaining wall using paving stones for your home.

Planning and layout

To begin, you'll need to plan the space that you wish to install your wall. To do this, measure the length of your wall and the desired height. You'll need enough paving stones to account for the entire area of your wall.

The first step is to then dig a trench to start building. Dig your trench about six inches deep and roughly a foot wide to allow the blocks enough space to fit. Use a tamper to flatten out the trench, making it level and then lay out a thin layer of gravel or paver base for your blocks to sit on top of. You'll also want to use your tamper to level out the gravel before laying your blocks.

Installing the stones

You'll find that paving stones usually come with a locking flange on the under side that allow the separate stones to fit together snugly. However, for the first row, you'll want to remove the flange to allow the stones to sit level. You can do this by simply knocking them off using a metal chisel and a hammer. Lay out the first row of stones in the trench and continue on to the next row. 

For the next row you'll want to stagger the joints. This means that you'll have to cut some of your paving stones in half using a circular saw fitted with a stone cutting blade. Lay down the cut stone on the next row and follow it up with regular stones. This will stagger the joints in your wall and give the final product strength. Continue with this method until your wall reaches the desired height. 

For the last row of stones you'll need to apply a concrete adhesive to the under side of each stone to stop the top level from falling or slipping. Allow this adhesive to dry and your wall is finished.