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Modern landscaping features beautiful retaining wall design ideas. These structures are often designed when the terrain is sloped and soil has to be restrained. With the help of retaining walls, landscape architects make sure that soil is bound between the levels of a hillside and create spectacular and picturesque views.

Hardly anyone could give an answer to the question what is more important in the modern retaining wall design ideas the form or the function. Based on the prime purpose of these walls, we could say it is function, but this does not mean that form must be neglected. These walls are carefully engineered and have become a practical element in the landscape. Experts classify garden walls in different categories.

The first category includes walls that have a decorative function and are used as an architectural and artistic element. They can be built on a flat site or sites with a small slope as an element of landscape design.

Retaining walls which are used to hold the soil on the slopes of the terrain is the second category. They are widely used for terracing natural slopes in order to increase the useful area for the placement of elements of gardening and landscaping. Functionality is a prime concern over design and appearance.

Retaining walls with mixed functions are used as strengthening, but should have an attractive appearance. Such a structure must have high strength to withstand the pressure from the ground and to please the eye with an aesthetic design.

If your site has a complex terrain with a large difference in altitude, the layout of the garden will require the installation of horizontal surfaces for planting. The most non-rational approach in this situation is the leveling of the plot surface with the help of purchasing and importing new soil. Using decorative retaining walls, you can, without extra investment, make an original garden design and visually divide it into functional areas. Such a wall will be an ornament of the garden and it can be combined with the architectural style of the house, a fence, a spectacular rock garden or a waterfall. Decorative retaining walls do not need a concrete foundation. They are created on a crushed stone cushion with thickness of 20 30 cm.

In terms of structure retaining walls types are:

Gravity walls

Cantilever walls

Counterfort walls

Tieback walls

Drilled pier walls

Soldier pile walls

Retaining walls can be classified by different characteristics height, depth, stability, by the method of erection, freestanding or connected with adjoining structures. Of course, another major characteristic is the material used for the erection of the wall. We shall look at some of the most popular materials and their pros and cons.

Retaining wall design ideas can be simple or complex boulder walls, stone walls, wood, concrete, etc. can be used as materials. The choice of these materials will depend on the amount of work to be done for the wall construction.

Bricks are a common material for the construction of retaining walls. However, bricks should be used only when the wall will not bear heavy loads or as an element of design. Brick walls are not a suitable choice for water reservoirs or places with high humidity as bricks are not resistant to moisture damage and high humidity destroy the masonry. The height of the structure should not exceed one and a half meters. Particular attention should be paid to the thickness of the brick wall. Nowadays bricks are not widely used as construction material for retaining walls because of the high cost and low durability.

Natural stone is one of the most popular materials for constructing retaining walls. Natural stone is very effective, sturdy and durable but is also an expensive material. There are several types of stones which are used for the construction limestone, sandstone, granite, slate, boulder, river pebbles. The choice offered by nature is very rich, but it is better to look for natural stone which is typical for the area. When building natural stone retaining walls you can use a dry masonry or cement. Dry masonry means that instead of using cement, the slots are filled with soil into which plants are planted. Boulder retaining walls are one of the varieties which has a great visual appeal in addition to the functionality and durability.

Concrete is perhaps the most popular and reliable material for the construction of retaining walls. With proper calculation and reinforcement, the monolithic design will withstand any loads. It allows the construction of more complex shapes like semicircles but the main disadvantage of concrete retaining walls is the need of facing. Concrete constructions require decoration with a decorative stone, brick, tile or other materials as the walls do not look very presentable. When using concrete, homeowners can opt for pre-cast concrete blocks, which are especially designed for retaining wall construction. Another option is to choose concrete planters which also come in different colors and add decorative value to the supporting structure.

Cinder blocks are another cost effective material which is widely used as a material for retaining walls. They are made of cement and various types of aggregates and the low cost and good durability and lightweight make them a popular option among homeowners.

Wood is another material which can be used for building a retaining wall. This is an attractive option for many homeowners who work on a budget or prefer a DIY project. It is necessary to dig a shallow trench, compact the soil and fill it with gravel but any man will cope with such work especially if he has one or two assistants. What is important to know about wooden retaining walls is that the material needs adequate processing and the logs or planks should be treated and impregnated with special water-repellent compounds, which will prevent their decay and improve their durability and resistance to elements.

Wooden retaining walls after are durable enough and decorative. They can be made from a bar or logs that have been cut into the desired size, laid horizontally or dug vertically into the ground, as well as from bamboo, fence or simply solid, sometimes even uncorrupted or sawn tree trunks. The upper ends are with antiseptic, and buried in the ground is best treated with hot engine oil, creosote, tar or bitumen. After this, the wooden retaining structures will reliably serve for many years.

Nowadays, retaining walls made of gabions are especially popular. Gabions are modules with a rectangular shape and various sizes. Filled with river or quarry stones the baskets (containers) are aligned with a grid network. The construction of a gabion retaining wall is very easy and if the wall is small you will not need foundation. Gabions are efficient and environmentally friendly and in terms of appearance homeowners can fill the baskets with anything they choose from cobblestone, pebbles and boulders to any other material.

Whether small or large, wooden or concrete, such walls can be seen in many places. Modern landscape architects create stunning designs, using high quality materials and different styles so quite often a retaining wall becomes the focal point of the landscape design. There are wonderful examples of creative gardeningwhich blend engineering with natural elements and offer innovative solutions and visions.

When the home is located in areas with difficult terrain it is essential to strengthen the slopes. Retaining walls are the obvious choice for such sloping plots and allow you to eliminate the problem with soil erosion. In addition they are a powerful element in landscape design which allows landscape architects to make the best of different level heights in the garden. Gorgeous flower beds that are located on higher ground levels look particularly beautiful. Look at some inspiring landscape designs featuring beautiful walls.

Beautiful landscape with concrete retaining walls

Modern landscape multilevel design

Landscape in industrial style

Traditional landscape design idea

Landscape design using natural stone

Magnificent landscaping with stone blocks

Stylish and elegant landscape design

Chic landscape idea with wooden deck and benches

Spectacular vertical garden wall

Rustic style landscape design

The rest is here:
90 retaining wall design ideas for creative landscaping

Retaining Wall Cost

An average brick retaining wall that is 30 feet long and 4 feet high, without any built-in steps or extra reinforcements, is typically around $4,220. The average homeowner will pay $35 per square foot and spend between $2,450 and $6,650 to build a retaining wall.

A retaining wall holds back soil in order to prevent any changes to its structure. Without the wall, the soil could erode or slide. A retaining wall can also:

The average homeowner will pay $35/sq. ft. to build a retaining wall.

When it comes to building your retaining wall and choosing your preferred building materials, you have multiple options. The taller the wall, the more money youll have to invest in its foundation. Usually a wall above 4 will require engineering. Costs below are for wall material alone. On average you can multiply the material cost by 5 to get the installed price.

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Pros - Cinder block is lighter than concrete and made of stone or sand aggregate and coal cinders. Its very strong; durable; low maintenance; quick to install; impervious to rot, insects and fire; and its versatility allows for it to be used to build curved structures.

Cons - Cinder block is laid in trenches and not secured into the ground. For safety and stability reasons, they should not be used to erect a wall structure higher than 4 feet tall. Because of the bare-bones appearance of cinder block, the wall will still need some form of visual enhancementwith a stucco or veneer finish on the exposed surfaces.

Modular Or interlocking concrete blocks - $6$9/sq. ft. Retaining Wall Caps - $440$640 pallet or $54 to $69/face ft.

Pros - Modular concrete blocks like Versa-Lok are designed to connect together in a way not dissimilar to toy bricks. They are available in a wider range of sizes, color choices, and finishes, with a natural stone look, and they can be built into curves. Their locking mechanisms sometimes employ the use of pins, giving the resulting wall more structural integrity and the ability to go higher.

Cons Coatings on block walls can crack in freeze-thaw cycles. Without footings, youre limited to a wall under 4 tall.

Pros - Does not need a finish added in every installation. Color can be added to the mix before pouring into molds. Concrete stamping can make the walls look like natural stone for a lower upfront cost than a retaining wall made from natural stone. Structurally sound for high walls.

Cons They can crack in freeze-thaw cycles, and its difficult to align them perfectly when building unless you use the right form, which can take a long time to build.

Pros - A natural look in garden settings. Can be stained to match the yards tree colors. Wood is a material that is in ready supply and probably the most affordable retaining wall material. Can be built up to 4 tall or 56 with treated railroad ties and/or reinforcing steel rods. Pressure-treated Douglas fir is the best wood for avoiding rot. Quite easy to install.

Cons - Will require maintenance to get the longest life out of it, since it is prone to damage from water and pests like termites. The soil pressure behind it and rot will eventually cause it to fail, but you can slow the process down by placing waterproof sheeting between the soil and the wood fence. With adequate drainage and effective wood treatment, along with the right ongoing pest control treatments, the life of your wood retainer wall can only reach past 20 years, in most cases.

Pros - Stone veneeror faux stone, as it is also knowncan be applied to a range of wall structures for a more attractive finish. Typically available in thicknesses around of an inch, real stone is cut from larger slabs. Manufactured stone products are made in molds with added color dyes and surface finishes to complete the look of natural stone. Surface resistant to rot and pests. These can be added to a strong core.

Cons Design should be done by a professional or it can look out of place. Might not do well in freeze-thaw conditions without deep footings.

Pros - Expected to last 100 years or longer. Often only requires minimal onsite adjustments to stack properly. Brings a natural look to your wall, and you can reinforce a drywall look by only mortaring the back half of the stone blocks. Raise planting beds behind the wall for faster root drainage.

Cons - Homeowner may elect to drywallstagger the boulder sizes to take a departure from a more planned lookalthough finding/hiring someone to do this could be a challenge and it will be costlier. Transportation and onsite placement can be costly due to their weight. Drainage and water flow control strategy required.

Pros A unique look of a rock- or glass-filled cage. Does not require any type of professional installation. A great way to recycle unwanted wall materials like chunks of old concrete.

Cons Sedimentation. Not great in small spaces because of the need for a wide base. Wire casket might rust. The price of $20$352 is for the gabion basket, and support posts are also required.

Pros - Gives a warm, inviting, and structured garden feel. Constructed from readily available clay and shale, brick is very durable and drains well. It either makes up the whole wall enclosing an inner space of grout or concrete (cavity wall), or its built around a solid core or CMU block (block core wall) with whole, half, or thin brick.

Cons - The range of available colors is limited. Due to its weight and soil conditions in the installation location, extra precautions may be required in the construction of the foundation.

Pros - A popular choice for many designers. An alloy with copper and chromium in the steel, this composition leads to the development of a rusted mix of red, brown, and orange after a few years of exposure. No need for any future painting or maintenance. Can hold back earth without any great thickness of steel. Performs well in a completely vertical installation.

Cons - Not recommended for walls more than 4 or 5 feet tall.

Pros - Involves ramming earth into a form to give it structure and boosting it with internal rebar, wood, or even bamboo. Damp materials including silt, gravel, sand, and clay are poured into wood forms and are then tamped down in layers until wall is complete. Carving or mold impressions are often done once formed. Another method is to build rammed earth blocks into a wall.

Cons - Labor is the significant cost factor for rammed earth because of the time it takes to produce the finished product onsite. Premanufactured rammed earth blocks are less expensive because the work has already been done, and they just need to be stacked onsite.

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Particular types of walls require a particular type of installation, with some needing an engineers help.

The most popular option, railroad ties (these look like fence posts) dont require the use of a lot of tools or additional materials. An easy and affordable installation. They are treated to prevent breakdown, but the chemicals used can seep into surrounding soil so they are not recommended for food gardens. Many homeowners are capable of completing the project as a DIY project.

Requires a bigger range of tools and experience to install. Interlocking blocks help to create a straight and stable wall. It is not prone to rot or decay and wont require much maintenance.

Criblock is a type of gravity retaining wall that constructs cells from materials like plastic frames, precast concrete, or timber. It lacks steel reinforcement. The cell structure is designed to facilitate drainage through wall openings so as to ease hydrostatic pressure behind the wall. The drainage outlets can be conveniently placed over built-in flower or vegetable beds.

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For this work, your contractors hourly rate will vary depending on the level of difficulty involved in the work. Prices below are for independent workers rather than contracting firm prices, which can be double.

You can usually get a better price bid on projects during the winter months when contractors are not as busy. Also, wall material sellers give larger discounts in the late fall/winter season.

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A very simple way of estimating your wall installation cost is to multiply the cost of your wall material by 5, although this brings you only to a starting point in price. Essentially, your wall will consist of two main measurements to make your estimationthe width and the height of the wall.

A good rule of thumb is to add around 10 % to the number for the height of the wall. That is to accommodate installing at least 10 % of the wall below the surface to add more stability to the structure.

If the top row is to be completed using a different block, then you just need the number of columns since there is only one row.

To add a buffer for error, bad blocks, and any damage from accidents on site, it might be prudent to add another 10 % to the total number being ordered. If not used, they can be left onsite for any repairs or returned to the vendor.

Wall width x at least 6 (for the depth into the ground) x wall depth = gravel needed.

Some installers prefer to mix sand and gravel, and the average cost is $4$6 per 0.5 cubic foot bag. Sand is around $4.50 for 50lbs

Depending on the typical climate for your location, your retaining wall should have around 12 of gravel right behind the entire width and height of your wall to facilitate proper drainage. Multiply the width and height of your retaining wall by 12 to give the total cubic feet of backfill gravel that will need to be ordered. $4$6 per 0.5 cubic foot bag

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There are a wide variety of factors that will influence the cost of replacing an existing retaining wall including the following:

Each possible type of work is followed by average price:

Before any retaining wall is replaced, it may be necessary to hire a Geotech engineer to come and take soil samples, and even drill cores to get down to the bedrock for samples. Extra cost may be incurred if any power, water, or gas lines were installed in the earth being held back by the current wall.

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Repairing a retaining wall can cost as much as replacing the wall would, depending on the reason for the repair. Replacing a few bricks could cost in the region of $200, but if your wall has poor construction or has shifted, then repairing it can cost a lot more.

DIY or low-quality construction

Wall fails

Load exceeds design

Full or partial destruction

Inadequate drainage

Wall bulging

Inadequate footing implemented

Failure or signs of future failure

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Of each type of retaining wall, there will be a range of installation costs because some are simple while others require engineering and the use of more expensive materials.

This type of retaining wall is much thicker and leverages its extreme weight. Its also designed to take advantage of geometry to perform its task. Concrete gravity walls can be used for installations requiring a wall of up to 9 feet tall, and should be between 50 % 60 % the thickness of the wall height.

For extra strength, reinforced masonry and reinforced concrete walls are spread on foundations and are held firm because of their weight and the internal reinforcement bars.

Built using soil reinforcements or geotextiles that are laid in layers within a precise granular fill. Under certain conditions, these are used instead of reinforced concrete as a cost measure, or because the conditions on site necessitate their use, or as an improvement to an existing installation.

Anchored earth, gabion, tailed gabion

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Retaining walls can protect a building foundation and stop it from shifting or falling when there is a steep incline in your yard space. They can also improve irrigation to landscaping on higher slopes. They can add attractive design features to your landscaping, adding some punctuation around flowerbeds and allowing for certain areas to be featured.

Before you build a retaining wall, youll more than likely need to hire an engineer, due to the complexities that can arise from the local soil properties, pressure, and gravity. A smaller wall in a garden can be straightforward enough for your contractor, but taller walls of the same design offer less support, and any one of a range of different designs or materials may be more suitable. Over time gravity combined with enough rainfall and an inadequate drainage system could contribute to the failure of the wall and the collapse of the soil behind it.

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Even building a small wall thats under 2 feet tall without the right equipment is time consuming. You have to dig a horizontal trench, and its also difficult to get it level. Without having an analysis done on the soil and understanding drainage and the impact on the future wall from any nearby structures, you could easily be constructing the wrong type of retaining wall. Because of potential complications from building the wrong foundation, to all the science and engineering that goes into the construction of an effective and safe retaining wall, it is something best left to professionals, especially if you plan on building a high wall.

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There is a wide range of different possible solutions for a retaining wall, but below are the fundamental elements to build a 3-foot-tall retaining wall using blocks and tops and a gravel base, on top of which you will lay the blocks.

Estimate how many blocks and cubic feet of gravel base to order for the foundation. Think about what to do with the dirt that will be removed, and if it will be used to compact the earth behind the wall. Make sure you have, or can get access to, a range of tools including a rake, shovel, spade, pick ax, bubble levels, hand tamper, rubber mallet, hammer and mason chisel, glue, stakes, and some twine.

Dig the trench for the foundation and also dig out the soil from where the retaining wall is going to be installed. For this example:

On the rear of where the wall is going, cut 6 back from where the rear of the bricks will be to allow a barrier of inch rough rock drain gravel to facilitate drainage. Also, the floor of the base trench should have a slope on it to prevent water pooling and saturating the ground under the base.

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Because of the severity of both legal and financial issues you could face in the event of a retaining wall failure, finding an experienced professional for your retaining wall is very important. Apart from the inconvenience, you may also find yourself with damage to your home or a neighbors home. Use the criteria below to look up specialists here on HomeGuide to create your shortlist of contractors to request bids from, and make your final selection from there. Add contractors to your list who have as many of the following characteristics as possible when creating your shortlist:

Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted Retaining Wall Builders:

Get free estimates

Excerpt from:
2019 Retaining Wall Cost | Concrete, Stone, Wood & Block Prices

Retaining walls are used to create a transition from one level of ground to another. By cutting into a slope and allowing for level ground both above and below the wall, retaining walls increase the amount of flat, usable ground in a yard. Building a retaining wall is suitable for DIYers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall (in most areas). Anything taller should be handled by professionals.

The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry-stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing, like mortared walls do. Dry-stack walls also drain well, allowing water to pass through the wall itself. This helps reduce hydrostatic pressure imposed by wet soil behind the wall, which is the most common cause of retaining wall failure. Backfilling the wall with rock promotes drainage through the wall and prevents soil from pushing through the cracks in the wall's stones.

Check with your city's building authority for applicable building code rules and zoning laws governing retaining walls. Most areas require an engineer's stamp for walls over 3 feet, but some draw the line at 30 inches. Also, your city may require a permit and inspections for retaining walls of any height, even if you do the work yourself. Be sure to check before you build.

Before breaking ground on your project, call 8-1-1, the national "Call Before You Dig" hotline, to have all underground utility lines marked on your property. This is a free service that can take a few days, so call well in advance of starting your project.

Total Time: 2 days per 10 linear feet of wall (at 3 feet high)

Material Cost: Between $8 and $12 per square foot of wall face

Equipment/Tools

Materials

Organize the Stones

Organize the wall stones roughly by size and shape, making different piles as needed. You will use the largest, flattest stones for the base of the wall, and reserve the widest, smoothest, and best-looking stones for the capstones at the top of the wall. Keep in mind that odd sizes and shapes can be mixed in with more regular stones to maintain overall consistency, and you can knock off peaks and other formations with a brick chisel and maul, as needed, to make them fit during construction.

Set Up a Level Line

Use wood stakes and a mason's line to mark the location of the front face of the base of the wall. The string also represents the front of the trench for the wall base. The width (front to back) of the trench should be at least one-half the total wall height. For example, if the wall is 30 inches tall, the trench should be at least 15 inches wide. Place a line level on the string, then pull the string taut from one end, and level the line before tying it off to the stake.

Excavate the Area

Excavate the area, starting from the string and moving back toward the slope. Dig down 12 inches into the ground to create a flat, level trench for the gravel base and first course of block, which will be below grade. Dig into the slope as needed to create a 6- to 12-inch-wide space between the backside of the wall and the slope, for drainage rock. Measure down from the level line to make sure the excavation is level as you go.

Add Landscape Fabric

Cover the excavated area with strips of landscape fabric (not plastic) laid perpendicular to the front of the wall and extending a few feet onto the upper-level ground. Overlap adjacent strips of fabric by 6 inches. Cut the strips to length with a utility knife.

Build the Wall Base

Fill the trench with 5 inches of compactible gravel. Rake the gravel so it is flat and level, then tamp it thoroughly with a hand tamp or a rented power tamper. Add a 1-inch layer of coarse sand over the gravel. Smooth the sand with a short 2x4 board so it is flat and level.

Lay the First Course

Set large, flat stones along the front edge of the trench to build the first course. Add or remove sand beneath each stone, as needed, so the tops of the stones are flush with one another. Use a 4-foot carpenter's level set across multiple stones to make sure the stones are level as you work.

Lay the Second Course

Place the next course of stones on top of the first, offsetting (or "staggering") the joints between stones with those in the first course, similar to the 1-over-2 pattern of bricklaying. This adds strength to the wall. Also, set the front faces of the stones about 1/2 inch back (toward the slope) from the front of the first course. This creates a slight stair-step pattern, called batter, that helps the wall resist forces imposed by the slope. As you place each stone, check that there is as little wobble as possible. You can use small, flat rocks as shims to prevent wobbling.

Begin Back-Filling the Wall

Fill the space between the wall and the slope with drainage gravel. Rake the gravel flat and level, and tamp it thoroughly with the hand tamp. Back-fill only up to the highest course on the wall.

Install More Courses

Lay the third and subsequent courses of stone, using the same techniques, adding 1/2 inch of batter for each course and staggering the joints with the course below. Starting with the third course, install "deadman" stoneslong stones that reach back into the slope to help tie the wall into the earth. Place a deadman every 4 feet or so, and dig into the slope, as needed, so the stone sit level front to back. A wall that is 30 inches or less needs only one course with deadmen, but plan on two courses for a taller wall. Back-fill the wall with gravel as you go.

Complete the Top of the Wall

Fold the landscape fabric over the drainage gravel as you near the top of the wall. You can do this before the last one or two standard courses or before the capstones (the top-most course), depending on how much soil you'd like at the top of the wall (for growing grass). Lay the final course of stones and/or the capstones to complete the top of the wall. If desired, you can glue the capstones to the course below to help keep them in place, using masonry adhesive.

Back-Fill With Soil

Trim the landscape fabric so it is just below the top of the wall. Cover the landscape fabric and back-fill behind the top of the wall with soil, as desired. To grow grass in this area, the soil layer should be at least 6 inches thick.

You can build a stone wall with natural fieldstone that you have on your property, provided the stones are flat enough for stacking. If you have to buy stone, choose a flat stone, such as flagstone, or a cut stone like ashlar. Flat or cut stones are much easier to work with than fieldstone and will make a sturdier wall.

To create a more natural or aged look, plan to add plants in various places in the wall. Rougher stone will automatically have gaps large enough for packing in soil and planting. If you use cut stone, plan for plantable gaps when building the wall. They don't need to be large and should not compromise the wall's integrity. Cascading plants, such as creeping thyme, perennial yellow alyssum,and annual white alyssum, look very attractive spilling down the sides of stone retaining walls. Herbs also work well growing on or near rock walls.

Follow this link:
How to Build a Stone Retaining Wall - thespruce.com

posted on February 23, 2018

How to Build a Retaining Wall DIY garden retaining walls will help make your garden more beautiful and functional. Use concrete interlocking blocks, cinder blocks or poured concrete for the long-lasting DIY rock retaining walls in your garden.

Adding DIY retaining walls can make any landscape stand out. It can also add value to your home.

Create your own DIY garden retaining walls that are both decorative and functional. Choose from reinforced or poured concrete, concrete interlocking blocks or cinder blocks to make your retaining walls last. These DIY retaining walls are also excellent choices for building low garden walls to create outdoor rooms or raised planter beds.

This latest technology involves the use of interlocking blocks without the need for mortar. Segmental block systems are less cumbersome to install than most retaining wall materials, making them ideal for your DIY retaining wall projects.

Highly recommended for short walls no more than 3 feet tall, the idea is to fill the cavity behind the wall with earth to create pressure that will push these blocks forward and hold the joints firmly with the underlying blocks.

Higher walls, however, require greater preparation to withstand tilting and slanting effects. Utilizing reinforcement grids, anchors or steel can strengthen the structure when designing taller retaining walls. Consult or hire a licensed engineer to determine the proper design and installation requirements.

Using poured concrete for your DIY rock retaining walls for your garden can be tedious and challenging; however, it is sturdier than concrete blocks. For the mold, use an exterior grade plywood sheathing measuring at least 3/4-inch thick. Use studs to support the mold and add spacers to maintain proper spacing. Use wires to tie structures for added security against pressure build up.

Two horizontal walls are enough to create a concrete form, provided the structures are at least 30 inches from the center of the area. Larger walls should have separate pours for the footer and the wall, while lower walls will do just fine with simultaneous pouring. For proper drainage, put coarse gravel behind the wall and create weep holes using rows of 2-inch plastic pipes or 3-inch drain tile inserted into the wall.

Pour the mixed concrete to form your horizontal wall, from the end to the center. Position the concrete using a ramp and control the flow by using a splashboard. Remove your spacers as you work along. Form the concrete around the reinforcements after pouring each layer.

Pour each layer as quickly as possible to avoid leaks in between joints. Give ample time to let the concrete hold before inserting anchor bolts and wooden caps. Cure the concrete at least a week before removing the forms. For the finale, pack gravel into space behind the wall and fill the top foot with topsoil.

Of the three, using cinder blocks made of concrete is the cheapest way to create your own DIY retaining walls. Also known as, hollow blocks made of concrete molds, cinder blocks are ideal for creating garden walls of varying heights. Place the first row of cinder blocks inside a 12-inch leveled trench filled with gravel.

Apply mortar evenly on the top edges before you apply the next rows of cinder blocks. If you want to create a retaining wall that is tall, use reinforcements such as steels and cement mixture to make the walls sturdier.

Insert the steel reinforcement and pour cement in the hollow part or cavity of the blocks. Apply stucco, tiles or sheets of simulated rocks to cover the cinder blocks and add visual appeal. Leave them bare for a more rustic appeal.

Finish off your DIY garden retaining walls by adding caps on top. Adding caps on top will make low walls function as added seating. Thats a How to build a retaining wall.

Table of Contents:

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DIY Garden Retaining Walls, How to Build a Retaining Wall

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CWC Supply - Window Cleaning Equipment

Horizon Professional Window Cleaningservices are available for residential and commercial clients all over San Diego County. We serviceDowntown San Diego, Balboa Park, Coronado, Imperial Beach, East Village, Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Marina, Golden Hill, Harbor Island, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, Kensington, Bird Rock, Mount Soledad, La Jolla, La Jolla Village, Torrey Pines, Lake Murray, Linda Vista, Logan Heights, Mira Mesa, Miramar, Mission Beach, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Civita, Morena, Allied Gardens, Bankers Hill, Barrio Logan, Bay Ho, Bay Park, Black Mountain Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Carmel Valley, City Heights, Clairemont, College Area, Del Mar Heights, Del Cerro, Normal Heights, North Park, North Clairemont, Ocean Beach, Old Town, Otay Mesa, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peasquitos, San Ysidro, Scripps Ranch, Serra Mesa, Del Mar Mesa, Shelter Island, Sherman Heights, Sorrento Mesa, Sorrento Valley, South Park, Paradise Hills, Tierrasanta, Torrey Hills, University City, University Heights, La Mesa, Mount Helix, Fletcher Hills, Poway, Sabre Springs, 4S Ranch, Chula Vista, Bonita, Spring Valley and more.

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Window Cleaning | San Diego Window Cleaners | High Rise ...

"game consoles and a plethora of smart home lights, security cameras, alarms, deadbolts, and a small army of Alexa-capable devices) all connected by both wired and wireless connections. Yeah, it's all wonderful, when the network holding it all together works consistently.The area behind my workbench looked like a rat's nest with all the NAS boxes, smart hubs, and wall warts plugged in to different power strips and cables running every direction. The NAS boxes and hubs also took up a LOT of space on my workbench and shelves. And to make things worse, some devices were connected to several 'Gigabit' ethernet switches, and some to mere 'Fast Ethernet' switches, that were then connected to other Gigabit ethernet switches. In effect, I paid a lot of money to buy fast equipment that I then slowed down by connecting it to old stuff. In case you hadn't figured it out yet, networks aren't my forte... I was beginning to have problems accessing the internet in certain areas because of conflicts with the new AlticeOne system... (which I got in an attempt to resolve wireless connectivity issues) but Optimum's tech support wasn't much help at all. In fact, I'm sure their configuration of my Altice mini box wireless extenders created many of the problems. In short, everything network-related in my home was a complete mess.Cut back to the PC and printer issue. Because of their location, I was relying on wireless connections to get the offending PC and printer to even talk to each other. But the signal dropped every few minutes and the PC could never locate the printer, which, because it couldn't find the PC either, kept going offline. It was horrible. I figured the best way to fix it was to run two new ethernet cables to provide direct connectivity. I used Thumbtack and was provided the names of several cabling and network companies. I selected a company named, 'Cables First' Why? I have no idea. But I'm glad I did. While we were talking over the details, Chris, the owner, asked me if I had a patch panel for the existing internet cables. Being a relative network neophyte (duh), I asked, "What is a patch panel?" When he explained what was and its usefulness in a network environment, I became fairly excited at the possibilities for improving my network situation beyond what I'd originally planned. Then, before we'd even settled on terms of the original work, Chris tried to get in touch with me about solving a specific network connectivity problem I mentioned having. He had his network engineer on a conference line and they were going to talk me through resolving my immediate problem. I was unavailable at the time he called, but I was impressed with his extra effort to help solve my problems. So I decided to ask Chris to help me straighten out my self-inflicted network problems.We worked together to design a wall mounted rack that would hold all my NAS and hub equipment, and then the true magic began. I was NOT looking forward to undoing the wiring mess that I had created over several years, but Chris said, "Don't touch anything, we'll sort it all out and get it put back together in perfect order..." And the short version of the story is... they did. Now my entire network is humming along perfectly, problems were solved that I didn't even know I had. And Chris and his guys went above and beyond the call to make sure everything was neat, well labeled, and in perfect working order. While we were troubleshooting the wired connection to my Onkyo receiver, the network engineer even helped straighten out the configuration errors I'd inadvertently created, and in the process fixed the sound problem I was having with my Rega Planar 3 turntable. Am I happy? In a word. Extremely."

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The 10 Best Wiring Installers Near Me (with Free Estimates)

Receptacles come in different amperage ratings such as 20 amp (left) and 15 amp (right).

Courtesy of Home-Cost

All electrical wiring and devices have an amperage, or amp, rating. This is the maximum amount of electrical current they can safely carry. Most standard household circuits are rated for 15 amps or 20 amps, while large-appliance circuits (such as for electric dryers and ranges) may be rated for 30, 40, 50 amps, or even more.

When installing or replacing wiring or devices, all of the parts you use must have the appropriate amperage rating for the circuit. For example, a 20-amp circuit must have 12-gauge wiring, which is rated for 20 amps. If you install 14-gauge, 15-amp wiring on that circuit, you create a fire hazard because the 20-amp circuit breaker protecting that circuit might not shut off before the 15-amp wiring overheats.

Choosing the Right Amperage

When replacing a switch, light fixture, or outlet receptacle, make sure not to install a device that is rated for more amperage than the circuit carries. This is especially important when replacing receptacles. A receptacle rated for 20-amps has a unique prong shape in which one of the vertical slots has a T shape. This shape allows 20-amp appliances, which have a matching T-shaped prong, to be inserted. Installing such a receptacle on a 15-amp circuit makes it possible to possibly overload the circuit if you plug such a 20-amp appliance into it.

Note, however,that there is no danger to installing 15-amp receptacles in 20-amp circuits since it is perfectly fine when a plug-in device draws less power than the circuit amperage. In fact, it is quite normal for 20-amp general-use circuits to be wired with 15-amp receptacles.

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5 Essential Tips for Safe Electrical Repairs

Peter arrived within one hour of us calling him, and was quick, friendly, and did a great job fixing the issue. See all The Original 718 Sewer & Drain reviews

I called JCA plumbing which was recommended to me by a friend. See all JCA Mechanical reviews

Hub SAVED MY LIFE! Dishwasher started leaking right at the dinner party, Rich came out repaired it quickly! See all Hub Plumbing & Mechanical reviews

I know Roto Rooter charges around $500 for snaking, so I searched Yelp and found Johnny to have very good reviews. See all Johnny Drain's Sewer & Drain Cleaning reviews

Darwin was truly a godsend! I came home tonight to a clogged toilet that wouldn't budge and didn't know what to do. See all Trumpet Emergency Plumbing reviews

I will definitely be calling them again when I need any plumbing or electrical work. See all ASAP Solutions reviews

Sergey comes in, gets right to work, and makes sure everything is in perfect working order before leaving. See all Zabivay reviews

I had an emergency tonight, my main drain was clogged and my ground floor started flooding. See all Dov Sewer and Drain reviews

Jay, the owner, came out himself to deal with my clogged toilet as a result of my son flushing down a bath toy. See all Friedman Irwin & Son reviews

Lawrence and Rashaan came on time and removed the furniture and patched up the minor damage left on the wall. See all Choice Green Handyman Service reviews

John of Peral Plumbing doesn't play this game. See all Peral Piping & Heating Sewer Service reviews

He was very conscientious and thorough, and I'm grateful that Yuda connected his old customers with Jay. See all J V MECH reviews

The last time I had him by I have a laundry list of stuff to be done, including lighting install and plaster work, that he finished in a few hours. See all A1 Construction reviews

My kitchen sink was leaking and I contacted Twinkle and one other plumber to get quotes. See all Twinkle Group reviews

Called Manny this morning for what I thought was a clogged drain, and he was able to come over lunch to fix it. See all Manhattan Sewer Drain reviews

At $1.65 a pop for standard copies, the pricing is the best in the area. I know that's pretty normal for outside of Manhattan, but the competition around here charges way more. See all Brothers Hardware reviews

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Plumbers in New York - Yelp