TOOLS NEEDED                                  MATERIAL                                 

                                                 Shovel                                                     Compatible Fill

                                                Tamp                                                       Wall Product

                                                Level                                                        Stone or Garden Blocks

                                               Wheelbarrow

                                                Hammer

                                                Chisel       

• Calculate the length and height of the wall

• Multiply the two to get the face square footage of material needed.

• Depending on the soil, excavate 4” to 8” deep, 12” wide and the length of your wall.

• Place 2” to 4” of compactable fill for the base

• Gravel base must be tamped (compacted) every 2 inches

• Place 1” of sinter stone on top of compacted DGA for leveling.

• Lay the first course of stone with the bottoms of the stones just below ground level.

• Use the level to span as many stones as possible to get an accurate reading.

• Once the first course of stone is level the next courses can be placed staggering all joints.

• Recess the wall ½” – ¾” per course.

• The hammer and chisel can be used to break stones to fit tightly together.

• Line the inside (back) of the wall with landscape fabric.

• Backfill the wall with one inch river gravel or crushed 1” limestone to provide strength and drainage.

                                                                                Tips

·        In order to keep the courses of the wall level, span as many stones as possible, at least 3 or 4.

·        If a 4’ level is not available, use a piece of 2 X 4 – 4’ to 6’ long & place the smaller level on the 2 X 4.

·        After 2 or 3 courses are in place, go out from the wall to get a perspective on how it looks from a distance, checking for straight level courses.

·        If the wall is being installed on a grade start at the lowest elevation (tallest point of the wall) and take courses across until they fade out.

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