How to build a retaining wall on a slope

How to build a retaining wall on a slope - This customer's backyard has a pretty steep hill so we installed a retaining wall to give them a level portion. We built a 3' retaining wall with geogrid reinforcement. The wall we built has curved corners and steps built into the wall. We also built a paver patio with a fire pit.
Paver patio time lapse - • 600 sq ft Paver patio ...
Buried Concrete Surprise - • Excavator Digging & Fi...
Music: www.bensound.com

[@craigschulz1852]

Nice wall. ALLEN BLOCK IN SANDSTONE. NICE COLOR. I worked at a cement plant in Edmonton, Alberta Canada & we made those blocks & other blocks in the Allen Block collection. Ran a forklift & had to stack the pallets in the yard for the Yard guys to load trucks with. I did my whole yard with seconds( blocks that had defects that could be seen. Hell, I did not care. It was free. Saved me $ thousands. I have AB Courtyard along my driveway & AB Jumbos in Rocky Mountain Blend around my house. Took about 12 pickup loads & loading & unloading by myself. Thought I was going to bust the springs on the truck. Build good muscles working with that stone. Take care & God bless!

[@jcchan08]

I appreciate the use of a proper structural retaining wall block. This looks like AB classics. Should last many years with no issues.

[@Beregorn88]

Are they, thought, or they just resemble one? I can't see any interlocking feature, nor they were cemented, or had vertical bars holding them in place: what would prevent them to slide away at the first heavy rain?

[@jcchan08]

@@Beregorn88 these are filled with clean gravel which “interlocks” them together. You can drive a piece of rebar or rod if you would like but it’s not required. Allan block walls are meant to flex for freeze thaw cycles.

[@ryanihrig7409]

Now this is a properly built retaining wall. You have a new follower in me.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@cwill114]

I was waiting to see if you guys put in the Geogrid. Nice work. That wall will last. This is the difference of you get what you pay for.

[@redfrk]

Great video! I think this is the best video I've seen on how to build a retaining wall correctly.

[@gamercer6589]

Looks amazing! You are truly the best at what you do. Thank you for another very informative video.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Eric_In_SF]

Actually, it’s hard to say if they’re the best because they’ve never competed in the retaining wall national championships. Until then Fred is the best.

[@bigleeroytruckenstien4480]

You and Stone Cold do some excellent work

[@valtavares2805]

All looks good from here !!!! Great job fella's!!

[@rootvalue]

Great craftsmanship, attention to proper practice, and handsome execution. Thanks for sharing.

[@richardgshields]

Finally someone puts in some geogrid!

[@josephmckay9046]

Awesome job. Love the tunes too.

[@MillCityJam]

great job - love the stairs!!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@josephwall9161]

Wow , that looks so nice and it looks like it will last as long as the house. The homeowners have a functional a pretty back yard now! Great work !

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@tristardiggin]

Very nice work! Wow, a lot of labor involved in that wall vs the Redi-Rock.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks, the one downside to the redi rock is it looks like plain concrete. A lot of home owners want something a little nicer. These are Alan Block but like you said it's a lot more labor intensive.

[@rkerby6375]

Absolutely Amazing! Well done!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you I appreciate it!

[@whatsnextgarage]

Looks good, you definitely build them to last!! I'm in! subbed and waiting for more good stuff!

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks for the sub I really appreciate it! More to come

[@tex24]

Love watching a master tradesman work! Is there a follow-up video to this one?

[@tracymankey9314]

Man what a beautiful job

[@user-cb2zk9dd8n]

Beautiful job

[@arturturk5926]

Step one: Buy a 40,000 excavator

[@Izaiahrich4ever]

Rent one, bobcat e42 excavator 350$ daily / 1100$ weekly .

[@calziz]

Step one- Get a 10.00 shovel and put it to work!😊

[@JaHui513]

😂

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

You forgot the 55k skid steer and that ex is about $60k new

[@boomersD9CAT]

An 80 series would be perfect for these projects…Bobcat E85( 19K lbs with thumb) Komatsu PC88(19 lbs with thumb) Any of the *MIDI* series machines are great for tight spaces without giving up too much lifting/breakout force capabilities.

[@BJ-sg6uk]

Great work! I appreciate you taking time to do the video. Thank you

[@tipsreviews7476]

Over building never fails. 😊

[@TheUglyHooker]

Man that looks great

[@timdantzii]

That's gorgeous, bro!!

[@RichBshine1972]

Beautiful work just trying to get some ideas for my sloped yard looks amazing

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@jessicarohr2197]

Great job! ❤️

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!! 😊

[@alexwilson9311]

Just found your channel great content and the wall looks fantastic 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@norbertcardenas1876]

Great job - very impressive

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@vinhgolf]

Very nice and great video . I have a question on the 4” water drain, where do you place on the other end ? I see it drain down the hill

[@alsaku33]

My dude in red hitting 95% compaction for sure 😂💪🏼 Nice video sir!

[@srmcontracting]

You always have to put the big guy on the compactor! Thanks for watching

[@angelbahena9723]

Nice job man is professional 👏

[@deanbonilla8807]

Peace Family, "Magnificent build." Respect

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@mynamedoesnotmatter737]

Nice work guys. Looks like that’ll last for a good 50yrs barring anything catastrophic.

[@srmcontracting]

Yes it will, Thank you

[@hamidullaha.saahir9144]

Your crew does great and artistic work, and where does the water that is being drained off by the drainage pipes coming from.

[@AllAccessConstruction]

💯💯💯 Good job

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@hildaldo]

Appreciate the video, very detailed. Just wanted to ask any reason why you didn't use a fabric to seperate the soil? Also wouldn't it be beneficial to use geogrid in the base?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, We never use filter fabric behind walls in our area. Our soil is mainly clay, that will clog the fabric and end up putting pressure on the wall. The only time engineers recommend fabric behind the wall is if the soil is very sandy. You can put geogrid in the base but it's not necessary, just make sure you have good compaction.

[@jptravelus4221]

Looks great! Very nice. Do you have a video on the patio?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I did a time lapse of the patio. Let me know what you think kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6epl5mnhNlpo6c

[@pawarv7900]

In one of your Retaining wall vedio, which is 4 feet tall, you have provided some slop ( approx 30 degree) in front of wall( leveled area). Here I don’t see. Does it mean the taller wall require some slope or it depends upon surcharge ?

[@Tangaroa1dollarway]

Very good job, can I ask where to get that top block cutting machine please, that is very useful.

[@cvzphotography]

This is great work. I wish you were in my area. I'd hire you.

[@alejandro6turrubiartes672]

Beautiful

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@peacocklandscaping7002]

Awesome 👍😎

[@michaelc.3812]

First time viewer and I liked your work. Just subscribed, and look forward to more good stuff.

[@J87169]

awesome work just curious as to how that tree will do with those roots being cut out?

[@srmcontracting]

Luckily the tree is still holding up. The home owner knew there was a possibility the tree could die. Thanks for watching

[@arneltambasen692]

also, the hollow portion of the blocks must be filled with cement mortar to create adhesion for each block further strengthening each block with the rebars of course.

[@johnwilliams1091]

No. This wall is intended to let the water flow through. What you’re suggesting defeats the design and structural needs of the wall.

[@benhead77]

So no concrete fill is needed? How do the blocks stay in place, with the weight of the rock filler and gets stronger as time and water goes by?

[@queenhaley2666]

I wish you were in my area. That's exactly what I need.

[@srmcontracting]

Best of luck finding someone

[@Sean-410]

That’s some hard ass work but buddy packing that gravel looks jacked af lol. Looks great!

[@alethahardy2714]

I LOVE IT! Do mine next!?!?

[@fenderbender7165]

deer just chilling in the background lol

[@HouseToWhat]

great footing as a foundation, that is how u build retaining wall footing.

[@johnboyd4953]

Looks very nice. Whats the approximate quote for a job like this?

[@josealfredo6338]

Hi looks amazing job Thanks for sharing this kind of videos with us I have a Curious how much is the cost for that job Just example doesn't have to be exactly priced

[@srmcontracting]

Ballpark for a retaining wall like this is $20k. Your region and site accessibility play a big factor in pricing. Thanks for watching!

[@grumpus1403]

Nice video. How long did it take for this project and do you stay booked up throughout the year? This kind of project looks like it may take some time.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, yes I'm always busy year round. We also did the paver patio, fire pit, and small stepping wall. It took about 3 1/2 weeks me and 1 guy. Thanks for watching!

[@bram2437]

Very nice work. Did the slope of the hill prevent you from going out farther?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you very much, the slope got pretty drastic after the wall. Moving it out 5 more feet would have more then doubled the cost of the project. Plus the customer didn't want to lose the tree if they didn't have too.

[@CairnCreek]

Good stuff buddy.

[@srmcontracting]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@herson1022]

👏🏻👏🏻 amagazing

[@tomre2769]

Looks nice. Wondering, why no concrete in the stones, instead of gravel? Just thinking concrete would hold more?

[@hmg8915]

Stone drains water..

[@pawarv7900]

Nice work !! I like the stairs. The lights behind wall, Solar or Home light ?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, they are low voltage lights. They tie into a transformer which plugs into a electrical outlet near the deck.

[@alan30189]

Great job! That’s a hell on a lot of rock! 🥵

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you! It sure was

[@vikingrobot4179]

I need to do something similar for a carport. One end of the carport will be on a poured driveway but the other end extends past the driveway and down a dirt berm. I’m wondering what I need to do to secure and build up some block so that the carport is level with the driveway from the dirt drop off. It’s not a big drop really. I was thinking of getting some railroad ties and dead manning them into the berm and just building it up with ties as needed then filling the rest in with dirt and a gravel top coat. Any thoughts?

[@yogoombah2356]

SWEET!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@justinmichael007]

Questions about that big tree root you cut during the digging phase. With that tree being on a slope, could cutting a root of that size kill the tree, potentially knocking it over in a storm? Its so close to the wall im afraid it might pull up the soil and destroy the wall too. Would it have been better to leave a gap in 1 block on the base layer to leave space for the tree root? Just fill and level the gap in the blocks with stone over top and around the root? Or would that make the wall deform as the root grew bigger over time. Reason i ask is because i have an old drystacked flagstone retaining wall on a slope, also supporting a flagstone patio. Its probably 50 years old, and is in need of repair. There are massive trees right up against the retaining wall, and im going to have to dig near them, but im also concerned with killing the trees. Not sure if i should just slap some morter inbetween the dry stack to help it hold awhile longer, or just rebuild completely and dig.

[@jnblawnandlandscapellc]

That tree is definitely dead. Just running heavy equipment within the tree drip line can potentially kill the tree.

[@eddie2819]

Great job! When you build the steps do you place them on top of other blocks and glue them together or do you put each step on a bed of gravel?

[@srmcontracting]

The way this wall was designed the first step was one of the courses of the wall and the other three sat on the compacted stone base. Thanks for watching!

[@chopboss]

You ever consider in investing in a tilt rotator?

[@codyfisher7943]

How many centrifugal pound compactor is that ? Thanks. You do badass work!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you very much, The compactor is a wacker 2540 and it's about 5600 lbs of centrifugal force.

[@patrickhannaATL]

What type of cinder block did you use please?! Love your videos - beautiful work. Thank you!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, it's Allan Block

[@realpatiosoutdoor8466]

Looks good

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@chargermopar]

Looks like the older homes were built on more level ground. You never see slopes like that here in south Florida. retaining walls are rare too as many areas the ground is coral rock and is its own retaining wall if you cut the grade.

[@srmcontracting]

It's a mix where im at, some areas are flat farm land and others are neighborhoods built on a mountian. What part of FL are you from? I used to live in Ft lauderdale when I was in middle school. I still have family in Palm Bay.

[@chargermopar]

@@srmcontracting Key Largo and Miami. Mostly coral rock here.

[@vinhgolf]

@@srmcontracting I am in Cape Coral and if you’re in the area , maybe you can do one for me .

[@ManishPatel-ij7cd]

Nice work! What was the cost of this whole project with material and labor?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, ballpark for a retaining wall like this is $20k. Your region and site accessibility play a big factor in pricing. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffbarron5500]

My daughter has a retaining wall 75' across, made of 8x16x8 concrete bricks, 6 courses high. With a 1' x 12"x75' concrete pad under the build. (Sd.,Ca.) . I came from phx and this would of been 3' x 12" x 75' and phx is flat, present wall contains (in my dreams) 18' with a 12' rise behind it. scary!

[@jmario1783]

Nice beautiful

[@Cinepobrefilmfestival]

09:30. smart move to add soil over fabric

[@maryadebisi1003]

Amazing work! How much does this cost on the average. Need to do this for our mew House. Thanks for the info

[@lancewilliams3279]

So, what is the technical names for the types of gravel you used for the base and then the "clean" you used behind the wall?

[@srmcontracting]

The clean stone is 3/4" stone with no fine material mixed in. Some areas call it 57 stone. The base is 3/4" modified, which is 3/4" stone down to stone dust. Thanks for watching

[@wickedbird1538]

😮😮25 years ago, I built a 4 foot wall with no knowledge, hand tools, and a 4 wheeler to pull rocks from the land. I wonder if it is still standing. Wish U tube had been around back then. Lol.

[@guillermomorales4417]

Yeah all good, the problem as homeowner i can't budgeting 40k to get my backyard done , at some point i need it DIY with a helper

[@sergalvisc]

The work is pretty awesome. However, it would be better to have dug deeper so the drain would be deeper. It looks good...

[@Eric_In_SF]

I was really curious to see what you guys were gonna do it the mystery drain but you edited it out.

[@eddielopez6796]

Instead of a paver patio, could you do concrete? would the retaining wall be able to support the cement?

[@srmcontracting]

Absolutely, as long as your wall is built to support a surcharge it will be fine. The wall we built here could support a concrete patio with no problem. Now if the customer wanted to park a car on the concrete then we would have needed to extend the geogrid further (per engineered design). If your ever not sure it's best to have a civil engineer design the wall.

[@stevekrantz5709]

I'm wondering what a job like this cost. I have a similar job that needs to be done

[@jaredyoung5353]

Bravo

[@davidhoover8877]

Somebody actually respomds to their comments. . nice work.

[@jamesbuege6911]

That wall looks amazing dude. Im about to build one myself. 25' sloping at one end. The block im using is Clifton beveled edge, fairly similar to the ones you're using in the video. The wall will be about 50" tall at its highest point.. about 7.5 courses high, first course below ground. The blocks are 17 x 8. Question is, with this style block, should I use adhesive on each course or do you only glue the cap? Also, I plan to run geogrid after 2nd course and 4th course.. does that sound reasonable? Im putting a poured stamped patio at the top when done. Thank you

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you I appreciate it! These blocks don't get glued, only the caps. You can double check with the manufacture to be sure but most actual retaining walls are designed to have some flex. I would put the geogrid every 2 courses (rows 2,4,6). Also depending on the slope you may need to bury another row. Best of luck, let me know if you have any more questions.

[@jamesbuege6911]

@@srmcontracting , ok, that's kinda what I thought, just wasn't sure. I will be using the geogrid as well. Talked to a friend about this today and he said the hollow core block just aren't durable enough to withstand a tough climate and such, he's got me all worried now... I have 155 blocks sitting in my driveway with no real way to return them... maybe you could give me some insight on this? Im nervous. I wish I could show you what I'm doing. But the best way i can explain it is, right now i have a deck on the back of the house, I'm tearing that off, building the wall on one end extending from the house out 30', then filling in about 48" to 55" to level the area behind the house, then putting in a patio in place of the old deck. Hope that makes sense. One more concern I have.. these block don't have a septum down the center at all... so to achieve a staggered joint wall I plan to cut and use a half block to start every other row. Can I do that safely being that there isn't any center support once I cut it? Sorry to bother you with this but it's good to have some insight from someone who has experience with this style block. Thanks for your help, I appreciate it greatly.

[@electrolytesplants6057]

Get a block that pins together not the blocks with the lip on the back

[@Luckingsworth]

​@@jamesbuege6911You 100% should not be using a hollow block for such a massive wall. Those are for small garden walls.

[@johnk2126]

So question of a novice. Why do you not use mortar or cement between blocks? Just curious. I'm about to start a little project of my own in the next few months

[@jcchan08]

This looks like Allan Block which is a segmented gravity wall. This wall is meant to heave and flex thru the seasons the mortar or cement would just crack. The spaces between blocks is also meant to help with drainage thru the face of the wall.

[@stephmo371]

Man I wish your team was in my area for work

[@sinankrikor7436]

I liked the work very profissional , what brick you used for that wall ?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, it's Allan Block

[@nancyt4078]

Aren't you supposed to put geotextile between 3/4 and dirt ?

[@atothezeezee]

That was a great tip on the benchmark. I would have screwed that up.

[@juanccaicedo7789]

Very cool video. Thanks for the share! quick question - do you never have enough back pressure on the wall where you need to glue /rebar the blocks? just wondering under what circumstances that should be done? Cheers!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, these retaining wall blocks are meant to be dry stacked and filled with stone only. I believe them being dry stacked only allows for some lateral movement without causing wall failure. Thanks for watching

[@nyhis5533]

@@srmcontracting I have a large project that requires such retainer walls. About 8 feet tall It’s very hard to find a contractor who would do the right job. It’s not my trade so looking to subcontract

[@srmcontracting]

@@nyhis5533 Where is the job located? Also when are you looking to have it completed?

[@nyhis5533]

@@srmcontracting New York. As soon as possible

[@eddvazquez8508]

Honest question. Why don’t using perforated hard pipe instead?

[@srmcontracting]

The flex pipe was more suitable for this install because of the radius corners. Otherwise hard pipe could be used behind a retaining wall as well. Thanks for watching

[@user-ed6rz3cm3h]

Hello! Why do you not use any concrete with fitting. It seems to me, It will safe only 5 years, after that it will be moving.

[@michaelwarnock5845]

What's the cost of a wall like that?

[@vinhgolf]

Wondering how much would it cost for this project ?

[@kimgaxha814]

Srm . Kompany, 💪👏👍,very good job s 👍, thanks youuuu 👍. Me working England seven years, same jobs, thanks,

[@muskies22]

Nice !! Serious question, why not a footer ? Like the content

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, these walls are engineered to have some flex with ground movement which is why we use stone instead of concrete. This is very important in areas that have freeze/thaw cycles. Thanks for watching!

[@paulkeen8057]

In the UK the footings would be field with concrete. Then the blocks layed on top. And that tree would be removed. As the root's would Destroy the brickwork very quickly.

[@samsheffield1160]

Baller!!

[@timothymyers6506]

What retaining wall blocks are you using on this wall?

[@srmcontracting]

These are Allan Block, they are one of the best blocks you can get for the price in my area.

[@LukeLongboneOfficial]

Hell yeah

[@anslogarrick7638]

Is it possible to build this but multiple levels up his yard slip say four times