Sedimentary flat stones such as ashlar and flagstone are among the easiest to use when building a wall of this type.
Building a retaining wall with natural stone.
For this 18 inch high wall the footing should be at least 18 inches wide.
You can build a stone wall with natural fieldstone that you have on your property provided the stones are flat enough for stacking.
Prepare the footing photo by russell kaye.
Once built you ll have a rock solid retaining wall without all the heavy mortar lines.
This tutorial is designed for beginners interested in building stone retaining walls using a dry stack method but it also works for retaining block and flagstone walls.
Flat or cut stones are much easier to work with than fieldstone and will make a sturdier wall.
For dry stack walls the base should be as wide as the wall is tall.
Ask a stone yard to help determine how much material you ll need and have it delivered as close to the site as possible.
Dig a trench that s below the frost line and 2 feet wider than.
Stone retaining wall tips.
How to build a rock wall 1.
Homeowners may build their own retaining walls from natural stone without using mortar and adhesives and with careful attention to detail.
Excavate to a depth of 6 inches along the entire base of the stone retaining wall using the string marker as a guide.
If you have to buy stone choose a flat stone such as flagstone or a cut stone like ashlar.
To build a natural dry stone retaining wall prepare the site.
Other materials that could be used for such a project include landscape timbers railroad ties and cinder blocks.
Tame a slope with a terrace of loose stone retaining walls.
Plan for good drainage proper width height ratio and distance between tiers.
Use a hand or power tamper to level the base.
A retaining wall s effect on the natural flow of water could impact your neighbors so some communities require homeowners to obtain a permit before construction commences.