DIY Retaining Wall

Check out my retaining wall I built in my backyard. Keep in mind I live in a very dry climate with very rocky soil. Also make sure you do your research before you start. I didn't need draining or a permit but you might, etc.
I have a longer more in-depth video here: • DIY Gravity Retaining ...
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[@nickisneat3154]

Y’all talking about putting drain pipe behind the wall shows how little you know about proper drainage and how these walls are designed to release hydrostatic pressure. The world would be a smarter place if 90% of you weren’t allowed on the internet.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Thank you!!! Ugh 😩 how do I pin this comment 😁

[@delyle101]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor yeah their Designed for minor seepage not hydrostatic pressure. Also the drainage is not for seepage its to stop pressure build up behind the wall.

[@ScotteM]

​@@delyle101doesn't look like moisture is an issue in her climate

[@jackiewilliams7039]

Why so mean?

[@makmar4484]

​@EternalHarvestDecor lol don't listen to dummies that never did it before , I do it professionally, and we always put a drain along the back just to be safe

[@dustinsees1045]

I would recommend if you ever have to do a retaining wall again to use some sort of adhesive for the cinder blocks, I’ve worked at a landscaping company for a few years and we do it for extra security especially when it comes to those upper level blocks

[@stevep5408]

Well done maam! Good to see a woman just dig in and do some hard work, believe in herself and her abilities.

[@jimratliff2753]

Those blocks are good for like three or four levels higher where they're not structural. You need a concrete footing plus rebar for reinforcement If you truly want to hold those static loads and hydraulic loads from moving.

[@jameswege8079]

Sub the rebar and concrete. Totally unnecessary for this project. Geogrid every 2 or 3 layers with your backfill. Water flows freely, and can penetrate the ground where you would've put concrete.

[@johnunsicker7440]

NO you don't you need a deeper footer and to pack the base it.

[@Felix-kd8tn]

I'm really torn between "good to do diy" and "there's a reason this is expensive"

[@hardog22]

It’s called geo grid

[@ViresEtDecus]

Wrong. Blocks like that are NOT designed for footings or rebar. That block is probably engineered by to go up to 4’ high before I’m needs geogrid reinforcement. After that it can basically go as high as you want with properly installed grid. Her larger problem is it didn’t look like her base was deep enough or compacted enough. I hope I’m wrong though!

[@saminatorx20]

As an engineer. I recommend you tell the engineer you're gonna do it yourself and they buy them a pizza and they will check that your design. Every wall / condition is different.. Retaining walls are serious, and walls that fall over can certainly do serious damage/injury to people and property. Also to all those recommending drainage behind the wall: that wall with open joints will allow the water to leak through. So no hydrostatic pressures.

[@triovals]

Great lady, not just saved $ , but you gain all the knowledge to do some things new. Keep it up and you will know more DIYs.😊

[@rocketsmom1]

I made the same wall. I did not put drain pipes in. No problems. Still doing great after 20 years.

[@user-pk5ek1uz8o]

The wall itself is porous..

[@nickmiller5489]

Expert retaining wall builders have entered the chat.😂 Honestly the only thing I have to say is when chipping the rock use some kind of eye protection. I hit a rock with a hammer when I was a kid and it shot into my eye and cut my retina. You only have two.

[@TheCamelot0405]

How did it cut your retina? I think you mean cornea. The retina is inside the eyeball the cornea is outside the eyeball. 😊

[@mtblover]

Well done! I know how you feel. I did the same 3 weeks ago. That first layer almost killed me.......slept like a baby every night. So glad it's up and level. All worth the initial leveling process.

[@WhowereEpsteinsclients]

A retaining wall would have a footer going into the ground below grade reinforced by rebar and concrete. Your wall is decorative and will fail and fall over with a couple rains. Home depot gets another one.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Hi Johnny, typically yes they have a concrete footer. I decided to go with a gravity retaining wall and used crushed stone as a footer. I did put the first two courses below grade as we backfilled when we started another project on the property. we have had it for over a year and several rains and so far so good! Thanks for watching!

[@rincerepeat]

Great work, Amazing;))

[@KekeeBlack]

Girl you are crazy for actually pulling this off and following through! I’d be scared of my back getting injured. I work on my truck and love DIY but this is the kind of thing I’d be HIGHLY reluctant to take on physically. Inspiring.

[@jamescraven5001]

Respect to you for giving it ago not a easy job at all but you put your mind to it and done it well done. Don't worry what people say cos most of them wouldn't even try. But you bid and it works

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Things costing too much these days

[@dougs6962]

I would like to know how this holds up for the next two years.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

It’s been over a year at this point so far so good.

[@nubsrevenge9726]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor I do this for a living And I can appreciate your effort. However there is a reason that you go to a doctor for major surgery. This is a major surgery for your have a great one hope this helped keep up the good effort and work

[@michellelowetransactioncoo2538]

You’ll notice these blocks being used for some major construction in various regions, I mean major.

[@mandoreforger6999]

It will be fine. My only reco is landscape fabric to prevent soil seepage and erosion and weed control. I have seen walls like this sprout a jungle (as in the first wall I did😂). I eventually replaced it for style reasons (new patio) and used fabric with new blocks…no jungle!

[@Pilgrimm21]

It doesn't!

[@dannylewis5680]

Great job. Personal satisfaction and pride are priceless. So glad you did it yourself and not give in to the arrogant contractors. Brace yourself for their trash talking and telling you everything you did is wrong.

[@jamesbitler7753]

Lots of HARD WORK! Hats off to you. Good luck with it. Mother nature is TOUGH!

[@jesusramos3969]

That wall will last you a long time you got plenty of drain rock in there and those blocks are very heavy, for anyone saying it will move on her it won’t. Great way to save move while still doing it right. 👍🏽

[@sarahleaird4138]

You need a drain behind the wall or water will push the wall out.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

The blocks are precast with weep holes and we used crushed rock as drainage

[@sirnordeng430]

Better hope the weeps don’t clog overtime then I guess.

[@getdowndemon1097]

Lmao ... no you dont.

[@markw5805]

In your climate that may be perfectly fine. In climates with real amounts of rainfall you would need a drain pipe.

[@trinidadlimon3156]

She filled in the back with rock

[@abrahamvazquez4704]

I love this comment section. I learn a lot when people argue in how to do certain projects better. My grandfather was an old school mason, and for retaining walls he would have a drainage system to ensure water build up would escape. His footings would be 2 feet deep for retaining walls that reach 4 ft or less. I learned also you don't need a footing, gravel alone would do fine.

[@Oldvolks44]

It may not be the right way but I commend you for taking on such a huge project. I messed my back up really bad moving all the dirt, drainage rock and retaining blocks in my backyard. Out of shape for sure. That’s a young persons game and you did it. Good on you. 👍👍👍

[@iambobby3537]

With so much how to information out there, you made the right call to do it yourself. Nice work!!

[@HinesKM]

Except she made several critical mistakes. With no offense meant this is a very poor example of a retaining wall build that may cause the house to have differential settlement which will lead to structural issues, but I like her can do attitude. If she consults soil engineering books or simply consults a structural engineer the can information that can be more trusted. You get what you pay for and in this case she went with free information from KZbin as apposed to paying an engineer to draw her a set of plans. Knowing which information you can trust is a skill that more people should learn. She can still go back and repair some of her mistakes, though it would be very labor intensive.

[@ivancenteno151]

Looks nice but bad news. It will sink because foundation is week. You saved some money at the moment, but will spend a lot more in a near future.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

I will just fix it if I need to, but so far it’s outlasted several “professional “ walls in my area so 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ivancenteno151]

@@EternalHarvestDecor I recommend you adding a drainage hose behind pavers so water stays away from foundation. You did great work👍🏻

[@Clovethelightrespectthepower]

Geomesh and drainage was forgotten, also the most important details. You said you researched this? Still proud of you

[@D_and_L]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor If your not in an area with harsh winters. Water will drain fine the way you install it.

[@Josh.1234]

Yeah, should have rented a plate tamper and used finer crusher run gravel as your base. It shouldn't shift or sink when you stand on it.

[@badbrig]

Don't know you from Adam... but DELIGHTED to say... I'm *REALLY* proud of you. More power to you!!!

[@oneangrygoy]

You said the magic word. Research. The destroyer of ignorance. Good job young lady.

[@timd46]

You absolutely do not need drain pipe on this dry stacked wall. Do however make sure you wrap your backfilled stone in felt type landscape fabric. This will help keep the soil from infiltrating your clean stone.

[@frisbeephil]

People like this is exactly why there are building codes. This is going to fail, hopefully not catastrophically.

[@ladyhawk6709]

Using T Bars on the bottom row will make it much stronger & will last longer.

[@Mikyda3]

Good for you for taking charge of your finances, doing research, taking time to do it right, and great job on the wall.

[@D1rtyharold]

You need a substantially stronger base for that wall. 😊 18 in of concrete probably with drainage pipe to keep water away ftom the house

[@johnunsicker7440]

You don't need a concrete footer who are you people.

[@Briguycook12]

No need for concrete gravel and gravel dust to make it perfectly level

[@scottocs12]

Another idiot that has no clue what he's saying.

[@RH-qd2nm]

An 18” concrete footing for a 3-block high wall? 😂 #contractorSales 👎🏼

[@timd46]

You do not need concrete under a dry stack wall. Also, requirements vary depending on location and frost. A wall in Texas will need less base than a wall in North Dakota. Your strength comes from your first row being buried below grade sitting on top of a crusher base like 3/4 minus that is compacted. The crusher base will allow water to move through without compromising the wall.

[@havoc35]

Fuck all these people. Doing projects like this, that you have no experience with, is what being a competent homeowner is all about. If you make a few mistakes then you're more equipped to do it better the next go around. Keep it up.

[@Burgermonster]

You saved a lot of money AND got in great shape! Good going!

[@jamescampbell51]

Damn you go girl digging all that by hand with no power tools or heavy equipment and no help from your Man. Thank God you only needed a wheelbarrow from a neighbor and nothing else.

[@Mad.Man.Marine]

Would have been a good idea to install some of that mesh that goes between the layers back into the dirt to keep the wall locked to the earth. I realize code prob says you don’t need it on a shorter wall. But it’s still really good practice to use it.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

You might be right, that is what I read about code so I didn’t include it but you’re right maybe it would have been better. Idk the crushed stone back fill and weep holes seem to be working ok so far

[@birddog1479]

@@EternalHarvestDecor Definitely should have used some geo grid in between the first layer and then halfway up. To do it properly you would have needed to cut back some of that dirt. Would have been challenging with little experience

[@johnunsicker7440]

@@EternalHarvestDecor The mesh grid is to hold the wall to the ground behind it. The tile is actually to take water away to help prevent frost heaving and drain water away.

[@ViresEtDecus]

@@EternalHarvestDecor you’re probably fine without it on this small of a wall. If you put at least 6” of clean gravel behind the wall then it should be fine.

[@robdavidson993]

Not code but manufacturers specs.

[@TheEvanRoach]

For anyone considering doing the same DONT. This ‘wall’ is extremely under built for what they’re asking it to do. They should have just hired out. One bad storm and the wall will be gone and the house’s foundation will need to be put back together.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

It’s been over a year and several storms, no problems yet

[@TheEvanRoach]

@@EternalHarvestDecor you have time, industry best practices, and poor selection of building materials working against you. It will fail, it’s only a matter of time. Look up the Dirt Monkey if you want to see how real retaining walls that last are built.

[@brianbiddle7590]

Do you know what they are asking it to do? I have installed dozens of these walls and they have stayed in place some are going on 20 years plus.

[@gcharlton7895]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor That is NOT a retaining wall. Those are floating blocks. Any real lateral force will move them like they weren't there.

[@pieseasmyseas]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor keep banging that drum keep banging thar drum...

[@YoutubeisAZZho]

It had to be a tiny pink level. Nobody told you you could use a 4-ft level and level four stones off of each other.

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Omg! I have a 2,4 and 6 and a laser just didn’t have them in the vid. My heaven’s just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it wasn’t used lol

[@rickyvialva8617]

Good job girl 💪💪 👍👍✌️✌️✌️🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@anthonyhejl1466]

Yes a drainage pipe is key to that wall lasting a lot longer then others and another thing that would have been a super big help for future problems is adhesive on each block to the one underneath of it and a dab on each side …

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

I was told not to use adhesive on anything but the top course so that’s what I ended up doing. The lip on the back (I only knocked off the first course to level) holds the rest of the blocks in place. That’s the goal anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@johnunsicker7440]

You don't need adhesive till the cap

[@brianbiddle7590]

Adhesive on the lower blocks is a waste of time. No need and doesn't add any structural support to this type of block.

[@gamerfarms9362]

you do not use adhesive on those main wall blocks only for caps I don't like those blocks because they don't really lock themselves together well

[@dougs6962]

Only glue needed for top row . If you don't know the codes then don't say anything. It's not a code to glue but for top it stop some from moving the top.

[@johnjackson7317]

Good job

[@securethebag1613]

"so i decided to do it myself"meeeeeeee lmao

[@Littleraver16]

Don't forget rebar and pavers cement. Don't want the wall being pushed out.

[@charleshaskins5324]

Drainage and geo grid. Filter fabric so you don’t leech out material Looks good on you

[@slashfromtx2845]

She is a keeper. A woman who tackles such a big project is a keeper!!!

[@michaeldunwoodie7717]

a woman without the knowledge, and the go ahead I can do anything mentality. I s gonna cost a lot of money

[@daveyg4104]

Except it will need to be completely removed and the quote for 15 k is now 25 k .

[@rodneythetall8877]

Great job young lady!

[@jeffreysmall5259]

You got it 👍. Great job 👏 impressive 👏

[@dalestraw2258]

You shouldve got the blocks with the holes for the fibreglass pegs to keep them from moving

[@gregsatterly9412]

After the 4th row you need to use geo grid. Also you need crushed limestone as a base with a minimum of 4 inches compacted. As other have said you need drainage behind the wall.

[@Boru06]

Didn't even own a wheelbarrow but managed to build a wall with zero experience. Well done! You're giving your kids unbelievable lifeskills here too 👍

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Thanks! That’s a kind comment I appreciate that

[@sheilawalker4512]

A new business you have started!😊

[@bernardorodriguez6427]

I read the comments...you needed to go at least 4 feet deep ,with concrete foundation and worked your way up the same way at least 8inches thick...that is not going to hold under pressure

[@Ryan-ii9rx]

Your footer doesn’t need to be 4’ deep and doesn’t necessarily need to be concrete either. Concrete is a good option, but tamped crushed rock and or m10 is fine if compacted properly for a smaller wall

[@johnunsicker7440]

Who put a concrete foot in for a retraining you guys are nuts. Non of the landscaper or hardscape guys do this. You are just being nuts. You dig out and put stone in the bottom and compact it. Then use mesh grid to tie back to wall.

[@didgejamman]

4’ deep. Tf…🤯

[@allanfarr]

Not necessarily. Depends on what part of the country. Ground appears to be dry with lot of rock in it.

[@scottward2366]

No.. just no...

[@cutratecontractor1000]

Here come the settlers 😂

[@jesusguzman4723]

Im glad i found this video the night before doing the same peoject, with the same rocks. Just 3 layers tall and 16 feet long. I just hope the base doesn't give me hard time.

[@davidelliott5843]

It would be worth drilling into the retained ground behind the wall to insert long rock ties aka rock bolts. They stabilise the ground so it’s less likely to slide when you do get rain.

[@amandacarter3659]

It looks good. Love it girl. Doing great❤

[@michellewilliams8878]

You are Amazing! Inspiring 👏👏👏👏

[@maryquigley3271]

You are my hero and I wish we were neighbors so we could show up the other moms with our Beast mode projects together I love it!!!

[@seabreezeblank1513]

There should been rocks in around all the bricks too in order to keep it in the same place and if you buy the gravel minus it's got enough dust and ground rock in it that once it rains on it a few times it's almost like concrete holding those blocks together

[@brandonrussell1331]

Needed to come pack it with a jumping. Jack and definitely put drains behind that wall Good job on the string line though. Better than most people

[@gstringalation]

I didn’t see any compacting either….but…didn’t want to be a kill joy….even though I do those for a living….

[@pathallquist3156]

I think she's counting on the weight of the brick and the 'lip' in the back of each brick to keep them in place where she wedged them. Even adding the proper adhesive to secure bottoms to tops-and sides together-would have reinforced it. She said she lives in a very dry climate, so that will help. It looks very nice and you have a right to be proud of yourself. ❤

[@davidhanson4371]

Weep holes need to be installed at bottom row. Kevlar fabric 48” wide between every three courses horizontally back into the compacted and filled area behind the wall. Blocks need to be pinned.

[@QueensStandUp]

That looks pretty good.

[@Nikolasto77]

How much did it cost doing it yourself?

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Hmm I think it was 4-5K

[@designdoctor247]

​@@EternalHarvestDecor awesomeness!!!

[@whisperingoutdoors]

Well , looked like you was doin a good job!

[@linkwinmathego5109]

Good job, sister 👏 👍

[@jrojano1007me]

Nice work !!! Very impressive

[@CHEPETERON1]

You forgot the six foot plastic mesh that goes between every row , that’s anchored to the ground then back fill with 57 stone at least four feet from wall and your four inch perforated piping with a filter sock that will serve as a French drain for your water to drain correctly, the only glue that’s added is at the end of last row in caps of the wall they don’t have wait to hold him down so you glue them to make sure they don’t move 😊

[@jennifersandahl4603]

I am very impressed. We built a wall with those same blocks and I couldn’t even lift them. They are heavy!

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

They are crazy heavy, I definitely got stronger as time went by

[@noreenpurple8617]

GREAT JOB!!!🎉👍🏻💪🏻❤️❤️

[@samantharg4380]

U go girl I do alot myself at my home to save money.

[@petercorpus4477]

👊👊👊👍👍👍got to give it to You !!!! Nice job 👍

[@tp3u]

Compression pins are amazing try them next time

[@rogerpilkenton4519]

What is a compression ring? How is it used?

[@allanfarr]

I have no idea what that is. I’ll do a search and find outs. Thanks 👍

[@user-gh2go4zq4k]

I'm impressed with your ability. I don't know about drainage etc. but there seems 2b more than one school of thought. Hope it works out, good job. Girl power! 😊

[@christophertinnes5529]

Good job girl!

[@guyincognito1423]

Looks good! Some people will put a piece of fabric between the soil and stone, but I doubt you'll ever have a problem.

[@brandysmitg4016]

You did a excellent job! So proud of you😉

[@robroykuziw]

No no. Do more research.

[@gergemall]

Great job. Wonderful you are learning that you can diy. Looks of great tutorials

[@MarceloAlexandre3D]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@homeimprovementexperts722]

CUDOS those are 75 lb. Diamond blocks. Heavy labor, props

[@Mr.G_7785]

You need a solid concrete foundation and some pipes for drainage. Overall,nice work.👍

[@joma0408]

What are you smoking? You don’t put concrete foundations for this

[@josephmcnulty6922]

Awesome job 👏

[@robowilly51]

Good for you! Hope everything worked out.

[@Hhhhhjbb9090]

Back breaking work but you did great. Hard work and accuracy will see this wall fine for many years to come. Be proud of it.

[@Dosofcrypto]

Sorry but hire a professional it’s going to fall forward in 4 years you watch 😊

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Nothing to be sorry about, there are lots of different types of retaining walls. This is called a gravity retaining wall, if you look that up you may better understand my goal. I may not last and I may have to fix a section but since there is no mortar that’s super easy to do. 🙌🏼 so far so good

[@derfskittlers6125]

Nicely done and satisfying know you did a good job.

[@vanessaaranda1820]

Add picture of when u got finish and show another one after 5 years at least to see if it last a long period of time

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

I for sure will, I have the full project video up now and it’s been a year so there are updates on a bunch of my socials. I’ll show it at the end of the summer again as well

[@tezzyd5643]

Good job. Very impressive!!

[@moneymaddoks]

Very proud of you.

[@dannewtonful]

Good job er'body!

[@traffic8829]

Stacking the blocks feels so good after all the digging and leveling the starter course🤘

[@541beausham]

RIGHT ON!!! I do this stuff for a living! And I’ll be the first one to tell you good job! Not only does it looks good (and legit!) but I could tell by what you where saying that you did the proper research on how to build that wall because you tamped the ground ok’ish (the ground can always be harder🤷🏻‍♂️) and you knew how to set the first row and how important it is to set it correctly because the rest of the wall depends on it!

[@mikethomas2801]

Next time use 1/4 minus for the base material as it levels and compacts better

[@Heseesyou]

Getter done.. now that you have done it.. what would you charge someone else to have you do it?????

[@bigluisjayrogan]

Probably 20k lol

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Nothing so far, maybe ask me in another year lol. It’s holding up super well and I like the look

[@oxymontana4307]

I've always said women in construction is a win/win. great job you got it down. the 1st row and preparation was the important part and you nailed it.

[@aussierednecksinger28]

You do more in one video than ive done in my life. 😮😅😊

[@jagsr5168]

That's a real woman right there

[@craigstephen1978]

Looks like a good idea and you're doing a good job.. you think your walls going to be heavy enough to hold that back..

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

there are lots of different types of retaining walls. This is called a gravity retaining wall, if you look that up you may better understand my goal. I may not last and I may have to fix a section but since there is no mortar that’s super easy to do. 🙌🏼 so far so good

[@woodwardoutdoors7742]

I would’ve went about this a little differently. But if it’s working then it’s working I guess. I would imagine it would need to be a convex shape so that the pressure from the dirt inside only make the wall tighter and tighter. But like I said if it’s working it’s working and hats off to you for taking on your own DIY. Most people wouldn’t have don’t this on their own.

[@richardwalton7782]

a wall that high should of been versa lock blocks or keystone blocks and had drainage and geogrid but not knocking her work it is a job to do them walls i have done many of them

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Thanks, that was something I considered. I ended up going with this gravity wall and they do have a locking system in the back. the drainage was crushed stone behind and I didnt do geogrid because I read it wasnt needed until the wall was higher than 4' but if I have to fix it I may add it then. Its what I could do with what I had and my skill set and I am pretty happy with it.

[@lususlove]

Great job, looking good so far :)

[@dougruckman8393]

Beautiful. Hopefully you used landscaping paver adhesive. Long term hold. Just a heads up

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Thanks for the tip! I did! 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@jingerjar1365]

I'm impressed!

[@Cander509]

Outstanding work! Good for you!