How to build a retaining wall up hill

How to build a retaining wall up hill - This customer's front yard had a small failing retaining wall and the grade was a steep slope. We built a taller retaining wall with Techo-Bloc semma and graded the slope. The wall has several step ups to match the grade.

[@mattcowdisease1346]

these type of things blow my mind. 200 years people wouldn't comprehend that we can just watch engineering like this while eating our donuts in the morning. Great work.

[@kushpaladin]

great, now i have to go out and buy donuts because you reminded me i haven't had any in a while

[@jerryriley1645]

😅😅😅😅😅😅​@@kushpaladin

[@Andrewlang90]

Even crazier is they don’t know what donuts were either lol

[@TajeniV]

@@Andrewlang90facts😂 Our ancestors would be like “the hell is a donut”😂😂

[@legioner9]

200 years ago people also wouldn't comprehend why the people from today are so stupid either. Plus many other things which are f****d up today.

[@redrufus444]

Shout out to who ever did the paving., this is a outstanding job all around..!!

[@AllAccessConstruction]

Man, we've done thousands of square feet of these block walls don't miss them at all..😂😂 That being said you guys did an excellent job...💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks I appreciate that! I've seen your some of your videos, its great content. Looks like you do a lot of large scale projects.

[@mtt5979]

Hey nice job , How tall can you go with this blocks ?

[@paulkerrigan9857]

This is beautiful. Very impressive. I only found this video because I saw a truly awful wall built by incompetents on Reddit and wanted to find out how to build it correctly. You guys did a fantastic job!

[@Hollywood5453]

1. Quality work fellas 2. Just added lots of value 3. Night and day diff 4. 4’ would have been an eyesore …. Retaining walls can be such a great addition as clearly shown here

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@debbievogt9881]

Let's face it, the 3 foot wall gives the yard the correct pitch away from the house. Great job guys and thanks for taking us through the steps involved

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@gordd7348]

Very nice job. The only thing you missed was adding a drain cap on the pipe coming out from the wall to prevent debris and animals from entering the pipe. It also gives it a nice finished look.

[@insertphrasehere15]

Yeah... honestly, that drain pipe is the biggest fail in my opinion. Should have been further over to the corner, so as to drain onto the edge of the driveway and out into the street gutter. Even better would be to run it under the sidewalk to the street. When it rains all the water from that lawn is going straight out of that pipe. Who wants to walk across that sidewalk with a deluge of water pouring out of that drain? It's all going to end up pouring across the grass on the other side.

[@cryptopoops]

@@insertphrasehere15My thoughts exactly

[@jules9094]

@@insertphrasehere15*improvement opportunity 😂

[@craigschaffer828]

Love that wall and the re-grade of the yard!

[@danieldennis6313]

It's always a blessing to work on solid ground, like your Delaware River area. Down in New Orleans area, where the earth more fluid or isn't so solid, we usually pile down anchors at minumum a couple feet, especially on the ends and cornersand make sure everything stay put overthe years.

[@zhli4238]

That's just beautiful. You even put French drain pipes in. Now neighbor needs the same built.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@PrograError]

IMO the owner could have asked if they wanted to join in would have cut a little cost to share the build

[@WoodyWoodworker]

If everyone would do construction work like this in the US, there would be much less problems. Great work.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you and I agree!

[@travr6]

But how on earth can this get done without illegal slave labor? This is a job Americans can't do.

[@mortifer2630]

@@travr6Hello, I am from Germany. I wonder why an American would make such a claim? Are you serious or is that sarcasm?

[@travr6]

@ Sarcasm. Democrats leftists liberals in America say this all the time. Democrats say we can't deport illegals who invade the country because who will do these jobs? Democrats in America are EXTREMELY racist. They are the party of Slavery, KKK, and Jim Crow in America.

[@josejatar94]

Hi. Its recommended to use geotextile sheet fabric to separe the gravel from the ground material. That guarantees a clean gravel all over the time.

[@jlmiami1]

That is amazing to watch, they make so easy to understand the advance techniques they're using. Thanks a lot guys.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks for watching!

[@JustaKarenDiscoveredTheIntrnet]

Looks Great..ballpark what does a job like this cost.....may need save up and do something like this

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, it can very by your region, access, and supplier. But roughly 10-12k

[@JosePatricioArevalo]

Absolutely an amazing job, I can't give you 5 stars because it would be unfair you deserve 100. Great work

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@adb1950]

The house looks so much better and its a much better use of the space. Great job.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@MrBill99]

great job! my only suggestion would be to use solid abs or schedule C perforated pipe which moves water much better an doesn't get crushed.

[@lifewithjesse_la]

This

[@cozm0859]

I landscaped during the summers in college. It’s hard but very rewarding work! I always liked the before and after pictures of a week long job! Nice work guys!

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks !

[@fintan3563]

Beautiful work! Professional job! 🏆🏆🏆 PS - It would be great if the neighbor hired you to continue the wall on his side.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@mike82y]

how much does a project like this cost? just a rough idea

[@LukasEragon]

+1 to this question

[@mike1968442]

I would estimate around 10 thousand

[@mistyriennett5902]

10 grand

[@Shawn-wt4kh]

I feel like these yards are always difficult to landscape in a way that appeals to me, personally. But you guys did a solid, professional job as always, and it looks great.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@abhis568]

This show case wall will break after a few months or after rain

[@dylanskrzypek5397]

@@abhis568 Source?

[@shannonfrey7242]

@@abhis568you keep saying that yet my hubby and brother did a crappy job quickly umm 10 years ago and it’s still standing but I’m getting ready to do adjournment and fixing so if it’s going to fall please explain how or 🤐

[@squidikka]

@@abhis568 You were literally shown the before with random bricks just placed that managed to stay up just fine and you think this much better constructed wall will fall apart? Hilariously dumb take.

[@kevin10144]

look into a Milwaukee 2641-21CT electric caulk gun, they are sweet save the wrists haha. We use them in the shop for windshields but it would work for you guys. Very nice work man.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I'll check that out

[@joemartin4751]

Fantastic result. Greetings from the UK!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dcwshoreline5416]

nice project! Always appreciate you explaining how you do these projects. Learning lots from you Sean

[@srmcontracting]

Awesome, thank you!

[@rosew.w9513]

Wow! You guys did an excellent job! Impressive! ❤❤❤

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you so much!

[@pancakeninja445]

Awesome quality work look fantastic!! Adds so much value to the property and street appeal.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you! I agree it made a big difference.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

how do you mow it though - what if you fall over the wall

[@robertm5969]

​@@nofurtherwest3474can put in mulch and decorative plants near the edge

[@newbinhell3043]

​@@nofurtherwest3474it's much easier to mow now. It's such a small area to mow, that a push mower wouldn't be a problem. So you really shouldn't be worried about falling off of it.

[@SloMo2723]

Wow, Most helpful for me. I'm getting ready to do a wall myself and this was very educational to watch. You guys are masters of your trade!

[@srmcontracting]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@blakebodaciousFTW]

I’m so glad the customers paid y’all to take the yard down a little it looks so much nicer. Hell of a job y’all did great job.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks 👍

[@joancoleman1228]

Nice work! I need a retaining wall rebuilt so it’s good to know what I should be watching for when I get bids.

[@markorkarenhanes1354]

Nice work gentlemen. It's hard to find skilled craftsmen in this day and age.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I appreciate it

[@jfssparky]

That looked so clean when you got finished and saved your customer money. Well done. 👊

[@rnvrnv354]

Yeah, the wood should go! I am suprised that the next door neighbor didn't join in on the project for a few dollars while they watched your magnificent engineering take place!

[@rich_man_rollin]

I don’t know a lot about construction but I’m pretty confident these gentleman did this correctly

[@mattmcrae1458]

My stepdad told me - If you want a flat yard, buy a home with a flat yard. One of the most expensive things you could ever do is have a yard leveled.

[@antoniobaskerville6823]

Yes i truly agree

[@GeorgeLaurent-tb7ti]

Buy a shovel.

[@GeorgeLaurent-tb7ti]

It'll take about 4-5 weeks of heavy shoveling. Rent a compactor, tiller buy sum seed and top soil if you need to mix it in. 800-1200 bux in total.

[@devon9075]

That is not even remotely true. Moving dirt is cheap. Compare to an outdoor kitchen or a swimming pool

[@stevenwaller3295]

Rent a skid steer your self.. Pretty cheap.. Honestly anyone can run a skid steer.

[@nasha952]

Wow. Great job man. Came out really good. That homes value just went up ⬆️ 💴 thank for sharing your work man and in the process revealing some of your tricks. God bless you brother.

[@jasonbreding7905]

Just amazing !! I wish you could come to Des Moines and do this exact same project at our home !

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks!

[@iowawoman78]

Same!

[@EDBZ28]

Great video. What an amazing improvement for the property. I always wondered how retaining walls were laid...I was always under the assumption you'd have to tie it into the hillside somehow so the wall wouldn't heave and buckle...the barrier of wash stone and drain tile behind the wall must be the secret, in that it keeps it dry behind the wall to aid in frost prevention and or water-logged soil pushing against the wall? Back-breaking work you guys do...my friend is my age (45) and does this for a living...Idk how he still does it. My back slumped over all day lifting heavy block couldn't take it!

[@williamlloyd3769]

Very nice job, but neighbor should have considered replacing those 6x6 wooden posts with a step down wall as it would have given their house a very clean / classy look compared to having that failing wooden structure.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I agree, we tried to sell them on it but they declined.

[@JustaKarenDiscoveredTheIntrnet]

the wood matches there brown colors and neutral tones of their house

[@roypublic3269]

Had I been the neighbor I would have paid my part to have those RR Ties removed and the wall continued. Nice Wall Nice job.

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks, we tired but they didn't want to go through with it

[@roypublic3269]

@@srmcontracting Thx for the reply. Too bad you're not in Western Wa State. I have a paver/wall garden project I need done. And it's not small.

[@vg4902]

Great work! I don't understand why that property is the only one with such a high front lawn.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, there's a few homes on the street with similar elevation. They think when the older homes were built the builder just piled the dirt up on the other empty lots.

[@WhatAWonderfulNameItIs]

I wondered the same thing!

[@thomassosa2957]

If the developer way like my neighborhood’s developer, then it’s definitely the “extra fill” piles

[@billyszigety5692]

Mud flood

[@Docstantinople]

That was the style back in the day when that home was built.

[@shannonfrey7242]

Thanks for some more tips and also short cuts, I’m not using our big boy toys. Getting ready to order bricks. Yet thinking even doing 3 foot wall might use geo only because I want to redo steps there that go down in between that and down grade slope lawn which eventually will have shallow wall and a planting area curve to quarter wall down drive way.

[@srmcontracting]

Glad it was helpful! Adding Geogrid is always a good idea

[@linkinprk1981]

looks great, why no filter fabric around the pipe to prevent infiltration from the soil horizontally? you placed it on top to address soil vertically into the clean stone but nothing to stop horizontal and into the pipe?

[@srmcontracting]

This soil is mainly clay, which can clog the fabric and end up putting pressure on the wall.

[@Mr.XYZ6775]

Great work, looks really nice. If I was the neighbor with the 6x6 wood timbers, I would have you continue the stone wall as it drops down and pay for work that's needed.

[@ronnygraves6380]

Beautiful job! Always nice watching competent professionals at work

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@abhis568]

This show case wall will break after a few months or after rain

[@VIKTOR-ck3dx]

​. You missed the drain pipes ? 🙄

[@Stillwater689]

I don’t want to admit this lol* Iv screeded wall base before but for some reason Iv never thought to use a finer bedding material… thank you 😂 it looks great!

[@srmcontracting]

Your welcome, thanks for watching

[@h8sboy584]

I wonder how much a job like this costs, the work looks amazing!

[@-AndyWasson-]

12 to 15 thousand dollars…not cheap….

[@VIKTOR-ck3dx]

Man with skills , that what the world needs ! Respect, great job 👌 .

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@67herby89]

Amazing job guys!! Absolutely beautiful work, Craftsmanship at its best. I know that everyone is wondering what’s the cost on a job like this? By all the details involved in this it’s worth every penny.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, It can very a lot by your region, site access, and product being used. This one is about 10-12k.

[@luiscardenas4150]

I installs paver and the method I used to have a level ground is the same one you did with the pipe. I do plenty of retaining walls as well but never thought of using the same method I use to install pavers to install pavers. I’m going to try it next time I install a retaining wall

[@apdj94]

This looks 100x better and now my landscaper brain is running wild with how they could design that space where the lawn used to be

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@007diego2]

Beautiful, excellent craftsmanship. Only question in regards to retaining walls of this nature is this. I noticed that cement wasn’t used at all (unless I missed something), however if you were dealing with a bigger hill that needs a retaining wall would you then consider the use of cement and rebar in a vertical fashion as well? As additional reinforcement.

[@federiconalos8202]

Very impressive workmanship that is a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Your attention to detail makes the best and most beautiful wall for your customer.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I really appreciate it

[@marnaudgarden]

Amazing transformation 👏🏽 well done. Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing this video 💚🌿

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you! Will do!

[@mattkeller2466]

totally blown away by the finished product. that's truly impressive. lots of hacks on youtube etc but this has all the marks of a really professional job.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@truthserum5202]

Nice looking retaining wall and the regrading was huge. Well done.

[@Loonypapa]

I did a full set of engineering calcs and drawings on a wall just like this in North Jersey (maybe 20 feet longer on each leg), but 3-4 courses taller. Couple layers of Mirafi 3XT. Lighting and grading plan. Also at the top of the driveway we went inward towards the front door and created winder stairs (walk up driveway to garage, turn right up one step to a landing, turn right again up 4 steps to a landing, turn left up 5 steps to top). Other side of the driveway was a similar wall, with 8 steps heading back and up at the left corner. Recessed lighting. Came out nice.

[@daddybourbon]

Any thoughts on absence of deadmen wall anchors? With your calcs, and higher courses, did you need them?

[@Loonypapa]

@@daddybourbon Are you talking about a timber retaining wall? The wall I was referring to was a stacking unit wall.

[@ihatejoefitz]

how do these walls calc out without a footing or tie backs? passive pressure pushing out. what resists that force?

[@Loonypapa]

@@ihatejoefitz These are reinforced SRW (segmental retaining wall) systems, where the blocks work in combination with the geogrid (which reinforces the soil right behind the wall) to create a sufficient mass to resist the uphill soil pressures. The geogrid breaks up the uphill friction angle, which turns the reinforced soil mass into a part of the retaining system. One thing to note, do not skimp on the width or strength of the geogrid. The width has to actually be calculated out. Don't just think "oh three feet will do." Winging it will not work with large walls.

[@ihatejoefitz]

​​@@Loonypapathanks for the reply! I looked up SRWs and rewatching the video they didn't install any geogrid. he says at the end if the wall were taller he would've used it. I'm sure it'll be fine but I am used to designing retaining walls for commercial properties and this wall would need probably a 3 foot wide footing to meet code.

[@paulabennett3069]

The home has great curb appeal now; great work!

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks!

[@tex24]

Well done! That came out really nice. Question on the drainage pipe outlet. With the pipe just being cut off at the wall perimeter and runoff water probably hitting the gap between the wall and the sidewalk, aren't you just moving the water from the inside of the wall to the outside? Wouldn't you want to get the runoff water to hit the sidewalk?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, the amount of water that will come out of that pipe will be very minimal. The gap between the wall and sidewalk is filled with modified so it won't allow much water to absorb there either.

[@michaeldelcastillo6062]

Can tell you take pride in your work! Looks great

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@dougsweldingfabrication953]

Looks awesome !!! What keeps the weight of the dirt from pushing out the wall?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, the weight of the blocks. Plus the keys and adhesive that holds the blocks together. Between the wall blocks and the stone there's about 60,000 lbs of material there.

[@chuckbisbee7520]

Some jurisdictions do not allow walls above a certain height, like 3' possibly, they need to be recessed with a second wall start, so a 4' wall height would not be possible and then only with some form of fencing to prevent accidental falls. Nice job though that you did.

[@incyphe]

What a premium job. Amazing. Wish more folks like you are in the business all over the country.

[@bcatbb2896]

Wow that looks amazing, what a transformation The value of that property just jumped by atleast 40k if sold on the market

[@tomiossi8092]

Beautiful. I got same issue this homeowner has. What a pain to mow. Notwithstanding its unattractiveness. NICE WORK

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@droson8712]

I live in an area with lots of raised houses like this and live in one myself and I think they have a special charm and level of privacy

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

Looks great. How did you get the mini-ex up onto the lawn??

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks, luckily they were cool with their neighbors so I was able to track up from their yard.

[@MikeDIY]

Great question. Was wondering the same thing.

[@Dannyboy-82]

You guys do beautiful work 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@josephrottina1901]

Turned out awesome brother.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks 👍

[@ebombaci77]

Overall a lovely job but may I ask, why didn't you use any rebar inside the cinder blocks every few feet to provide further strenght to it?

[@samuelhenry9959]

Looking good for the house and neighborhood 😊

[@MRosati5000]

I live right behind that little green house right on the river. Good job . I like the music.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, it's a small world!

[@TN_David_Vols]

Project turned out great. I wish you were in my area. It’s hard to find quality contractors.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, good luck with your project.

[@walterross2581]

Great job, it make my happy to see skilled individuals and their finished product.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you very much!

[@InOrlando]

Looks great! Is new sod going to go down? lol I want to see that part, too.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, the home owner wanted to tackle the sod himself. Maybe on the next one.

[@Pepper_brooks]

Excellent job guys! Good work On digging and dumping strait into the tipper trailer Wish we had the tipper trailers that size here End result was great

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, Cheers!

[@myklnelson]

incredibly impressive quick work for just two people. heavy machinery, sure, but still a lot of precision effort here very nice

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you 👍

[@clear_thinker_]

That was a load of work! But the results are fantastic. Well played lads.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@Jesse-ve5oo]

You mind sharing what you get per s.f. for this retaining wall vs a 4ft or higher wall per s.f.? I'm trying to learn how to bid my jobs properly. Hope you can help. Thank you.

[@srmcontracting]

Baseline average numbers are $50 per sq ft for a non geogrid wall. $60 for a geogrid wall. With that said every region is different. If your in a more rural area you can expect those numbers to be lower. Also material costs vary and of course every job is different.

[@ScottyLo]

Great work. Finished product looks really nice. I’m thinking the neighbor probably wishes he had you continue the wall and replaced his old wooden tie wall.

[@falconseyeaerialservicesll8176]

The best part of your wonderful job, is how you come about an inch or so off of both of your inside corners of your top 2 cover stone on the each corner, total of 4, for a great miter cut. Love those miter cut top stones, looks sharp and complete the apparent look of the finished product. Great Job!

[@theimprovementsguy8871]

Looks cool. Drain cloth over the drain pipe would help with potential clogging

[@MrSatajet]

Nice work!

[@srmcontracting]

Thanks!

[@ireneshafer4821]

That was interesting and the wall and driveway look really nice. Good also for the neighborhood. 👍💯😎

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@ChiefsFan62]

Beautiful job! It looks fantastic!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@constructionnew]

You say ❤❤❤

[@xCaptainKlutch97]

I think you guys did a great job. I just think personally you should've excavated a little more to the right of the house to allow the customer to have an extra parking spot. By looking at the curb at the end you kinda dropped the ball by like a foot.. But hey! If the customer was happy then job well done!

[@carlosduque1917]

Beautiful work!

[@aaaaaa67a]

You guys do excellent work The wall looks beautiful. I only have one thing to say drain cover

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@starjared12345]

Best thing to ever happen to that house. Looks great.

[@accepit-it4473]

Awesome work and explained very well keep making videos like this I’ll keep watching!

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you!

[@monkeyfeed908]

I was real skeptical about a 3 ft vs 4 ft wall. mainly bcuz yards with a pronounced slope normally look kindof bad and take much much more work to maintain. However a 4 ft fall is a much worse deal than a 3 ft fall so theres also that. After seeing what u did tho im all on board with the 3 ft wall. the yard looks amazing and slops really gradually and those stones are beautiful

[@steveartinger966]

Great looking outcome. Looks absolutely perfect. Good job

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@Omalley600rr]

Great video! nice job clean work

[@DanteBalenciago3]

Really good job with the leveling looks really good.

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you

[@oneofakindkev5259]

i hope the person next door took a business card so you could finish that wall

[@irvingcobb4395]

Nice work Excellent craftsmanship

[@_DrDrakeRamoray]

Yikes, the hopefully we don't find the gas line comment is crazy. Should have had a service come out and locate it. Suprised that's not standard for digging in whatever state this is located in. Why take a risk in potential damage to the house and neighborhood.

[@srmcontracting]

Locate was done. That's how we new it was there. Notice the yellow paint and flags on the grass

[@MUFFINTOTER]

You did a one call and had it located but didn't bother to ask or check for a depth of cover? Saying "that gas line is hopefully pretty deep" while digging down with a mini excavator is stupid, at best, and dangerous, at worst. Takes 2 mins to get a DOC or probe it for depth. Glad everything turned out safe though.

[@srmcontracting]

@@MUFFINTOTER we hand dug at both ends of our excavation to confirm it was deeper then we needed to dig with the machine. Thanks for your concern and watching!

[@okiegrad2007]

What is a ballpark estimate of what that cost? Really curious because I have something similar I need done.

[@srmcontracting]

There are a few factors that can effect the price, but ballpark $12k.

[@okiegrad2007]

@@srmcontracting thanks! Not as bad as I was expecting. Thank you!

[@edsonsouza618]

Belo projeto!👏👏👏🇧🇷

[@prosperduke]

Great video!!! If I followed the same steps shown here how would I add steps to the wall?

[@srmcontracting]

Thank you, check out this video. This wall has steps kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZXSe3qkitF2jasfeature=shared

[@spartanstu8495]

Does the adhesive remove the need for a deadhead? I feel like that wall will pushed forward and falling down in less than 10 years. Perhaps I just missed them putting an anchor in to keep it all contained...