How to Build a Small Retaining Wall in One Day by Yourself | Cheap Basic Retaining Wall

This small block retaining wall was built by me in one day. I have never built a concrete retaining wall before, but I was able to do this with no prior experience and you can too! I used landscape blocks you can find at any hardware store.
This is meant to be a basic retaining wall - I didn't use any fancy materials or unexpected processes to get the project done. Follow the steps in the video and you can get a small retaining wall made quickly! If you have questions let me know and I'll be happy to help.
Handyman Startup video I used for inspiration: • How to Build a Retaini...
#RetainingWall #SmallRetainingWall #BasicRetainingWall #RetainingWallBasics

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

I've gotten a couple questions on where to get materials, so here you go! (Affiliate Links) Paver Base: homedepot.sjv.io/eL6Ag Retaining Wall Block: homedepot.sjv.io/GMvZE Drainage Rock: homedepot.sjv.io/JMxmQ

[@abgarcia117]

Thanks for the video,,well explained,,please make more vids!! Awesome work

[@giogotti2371]

you are so beautiful.I wanna marry you lol

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

@@giogotti2371 gee thanks, but I already have a wonderful husband 😊

[@AnthonyPearson4JesusofNazareth]

I was exactly wondering that

[@lindahohimer9195]

You go girl

[@2miscme]

Thank you. I have watched 1 million of these videos and yours is the only one that took time to actually explain that step up.

[@annhernbeck1188]

I built a retaining wall! You were my inspo and I did all the steps you said, I just also added river rock with the paver sand per what someone had commented! Thank you so much for your help!!

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

Awesome! Glad I helped.

[@YoRayBurger]

This was amazing! I'm about 75% into digging out my trench for a retaining wall, and I'm exhausted from. I realized that I wasn't necessarily digging evenly, so I came on youtube to find a video on leveling the ground. Your 2x6 trick was a good idea, I have one so I will backfill a bit in the spots that are overdug, and use it to level it out. I also haven't seen river rock but that is a great idea and I definitely will add that. Thanks for this thorough video

[@BB-rm9fl]

That story about your van made my day lol!

[@beachybear38]

So glad I came upon your video! I.m recently separated from my husband, bought a new house on a high elevation, and have so much to learn with regard to this project. But I’m a go-getter who has always said I could do anything as long I’m taught how to do it. Darling daughter, 18, will be my partner in building our retaining wall. Thanks for the confidence you exude! 👍

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

For large retaining walls, a lot of what I did here just won't hold up. Please be sure to do your research if you are working with high elevation ground. :)

[@A4rings110]

How did your retaining wall work out?

[@James-bv4nu]

Another key to success is the tamp down the fill really well before laying down the first row. I was told that eventually the project would sink down about a half inch. On my first project, I built it about 1/4 inch above the concrete slab next to it. Eventually it sank down 1/4 inch below the concrete; so it did sink a half inch. On my next project, I built it half an inch over, and eventually it became level with the concrete. But it did take years to sink down.

[@opalpearl3051]

I was about to give up on my project until I saw your video. It all makes sense now. Thanks for explaining the process clearly. I think I am going to have the blocks delivered.

[@nicoleboyer8915]

LOL! I was astonished the whole time that you weren’t wearing gloves! But awesome job! I’m an older female and do a lot of heavy type work but I haven’t done a retaining wall since my mid 40’s so I’ve forgotten exactly how to do it. Thanks for posting and inspiring me to do it! I can only hope mine turns out as good as yours did!

[@FactsMattersUSA]

Nice job, the only problem I see is, over time this will settle lower than your top edge. In most cases we use gravel first then layered with sand before installing your first row to avoid the drop. But again, nice job.

[@25-8]

Do you mean sand on top of the gravel then set the first block row? Please help.

[@cristianburachek6877]

​@@25-8 yes, use crushed gravel as your base layer, and compact it with a tamper. Then use paver base or sand on top of the gravel.

[@25-8]

@@cristianburachek6877 I am just learning this, I'm using small concrete edging limestone blocks from home Depot to a small flower bed job for a customer and only bought paver base but haven't installed anything yet. Can I just use it for that? It's a small bed just about 6x8 feet, no land sinking signs of the front property.. just getting some reference for a next project, she already paid for the material and labor but the rain stopped me this week.

[@braindojo4128]

that's what I was thinking....gravel under first layer so water flows under.

[@paullambert7110]

Stone dust is better

[@HotdawgMusicStuff]

Very good job!!

[@r.a.753]

Thank you; Before I found this, I had to sift through dozens of insufferably long videos made by know-it-all dudes who never got to the point. Now I will FINALLY go build my wall.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

Haha, well at least you're knowledgeable after watching all that!

[@elevatedinspiration8550]

Yes. I could not have said it better.

[@ytgrabber]

Me too lol

[@A4rings110]

Yea those "know it all dudes" have so many pesky steps to make the wall last a long time!

[@imsotrash239]

I’ve been wanting to do a retainer wall for years and the home and garden box that I have on retainer walls are so complicated. I completely understand them now that I’ve watched your video! Thank you so much I think instead of building a deck on the side of my house I can just raise some of the land go to retaining wall, and fill that in. And then down the road I can build a deck there if I really want one. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

You're welcome! Be sure to look into drainage if you need it and if your wall is higher than 2 ft, you might need fabric to hold back earth between the wall layers as well. I'm super glad my video was helpful for you, but if your wall is larger than mine you probably should do some additional research!

[@imsotrash239]

Welcome to the Woods yup, it all makes sense now!! Thanks so much

[@tcaver]

Wooooow. Wish this was longer as I enjoyed watching it ☺️💕😍. Im a woman that does my own renovations and I love seeing your vid. Represent 🙌🏾👏🏾.

[@shizzydeep6867]

You've inspired me to build my own wall.

[@drenea6334]

Definitely would have worn gloves. Super impressed you taught yourself to build a retaining wall! I'm sure that there are going to be trolls out there who will say you could have done this or that differently, but it's inspiring to other women nevertheless. Thanks for the video.

[@B.Riley-Russaw]

I took on the challenge of building the same type retaining wall and this video really paved the way!! I always down for challenges and I accepted it head first with the slightest clue, the ending results made me proud of myself!! Great video and tutorials 🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@michellesimonson5548]

I can’t believe you did this all in one day! That’s amazing and gives me confidence I can do it myself

[@cmb52]

You make this look so do-able! I have a 16' long x 2' high project to do. At 71 yesrs old with a very bad back, its going to take me a month!

[@captiancronic443]

Good job girl I'm building a wall to and Mexico is not paying for it. You gave me renewed inspiration I'm going to stop messing around and finish. So hard to keep level

[@sivacrom]

Building a retaining wall is to my DIY Mastery what confronting Vader is to Luke Skywalker becoming a Jedi. I don’t want to do it. But that slope on the side and front of my property is going to need to be dealt with. Having someone else do it will be way too expensive. Perhaps this summer I can finally face this. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Lola_Santoro]

This is great! I have a bunch of pavers/brick supplies for a small wall and patio base. I've been waiting for someone to help (just to make it go quicker), but this video makes me want to just go ahead and do it all myself.

[@christinefey4244]

Sound like me I have all the brick and no one to help until today

[@julios19100]

Loved how you got straight to it and not lolligagged

[@trevorregay9283]

wow...not bad.....I guess until you do something like this, it seems a daunting task......thanx for sharing!

[@brandsthatcreatelitter1648]

Daunting is an understatement, I’m scared %#^*less of anything involving groundwork or construction. Logically I know it is quite simple, but it still seems impossible😭😭🤣❤️

[@redyeti7371]

Huge assist to planning my project! You do beautiful work!

[@paulbrown9415]

The wall looks great too.

[@hfarthingt]

Teehee

[@djamelk8348]

Bieatuful work!!!

[@ShnSns]

Thank you for this video. Out of all the ones I watched yours helped me the most.

[@vitix5906]

Thank You....all i needed were the basics on 'How To' and this video delivered! :)

[@billionairelifestyle4114]

Thank you this was the best direct video so far. Thank you for the instruction.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@brucecrane9605]

Very nice, I learned a lot. I'm inspired to get started on my project. Thanks

[@losingwill8402]

I used pavestone base topped off with 1in of sand for a paver base on a 3 block high wall, similar to what you did here worked out good for me.

[@escalade8759]

Nice job! Pretty simple also. Gloves are always a must.

[@lilazeepnatuurlijk706]

O gosh, they are marketing different kinds of things for retaining walls, telling you can not live without that much stone, that you no way can build a retaining wall. Thanks for the video, my confidence came back

[@sharonpardue9563]

I am so impressed. I need a retaining wall and was wondering if I could do it. You have given me inspiration, ideas and instructions on where to start. I am so excited and yes I will need to wear gloves. Thanks so much.

[@MsLillyc]

You did an awesome job and the honesty was well welcomed

[@endlesswaltz9051]

You made that look way to damn easy!! Job well done!!🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@dang9803]

Super job with the wall. Looks great. Love the energy you put into in. Adorable person with a great personality too!

[@mianaomipost9885]

Super impressed ‼️💯Great job, chica!! Girl Power 🔥🔥🔥

[@bagpipes978]

Great job!! I'm going to build a patio wall around two sides of my patio and your video really helped me! Thank you very much!

[@asantemungu9820]

Thank You very much. It's simple and job well done! THIS is exactly just what I was looking for. I feel well equipped with your knowledge to do my project , ie building a reatining wall. Many thanks, again. ❤.

[@michaelsylvester7272]

Hi Melissa, I’m very impressed with this retaining wall. Came out fantastic !!

[@jimjimmyjames59]

This was good! I have a similar project/situation to tackle with my driveway. Thanks for the video and the link.

[@LettyMatamoros]

Nice! I have so many of these to build it's crazy! But I'm motivated and encouraged by you video. Thx❤

[@tanyaruttenberg1085]

This is exactly what I needed. I'm inspired!

[@yilinli9525]

Thank you this is inspiring. I have more confidence in myself for sure now lol

[@RonaldSalas24]

I just started digging up my front yard for this and your video helped me so much!

[@melosouna204]

How many bricks did you buy please

[@vdubskiee5356]

looks beautiful, came out mint

[@iceclimber2001]

This was a great help for me. Thank you. It was very clear, well-edited, and easy to understand. Mine appears to be coming out well.

[@tabithasherie3279]

Nice job! I've done a few of these by myself as well, but the tamper will save your back.

[@richardpugh8201]

Nice job! You aren't afraid to learn and work!

[@juliakent2560]

You are amazing! I decided to let my hubby do it after watching this video haha

[@lifeishard1211]

nice work. i like how you used an extra 2x6 as a tamper, that gives me a good idea on doing mine.

[@billwood1372]

She's amazing on so many levels!

[@Express-U]

Nice Job! Im planing to build one with pavers step! 👏🏼👏🏼

[@tavia3006]

Thank you, what you did is exactly what I want to do, and finally, I got to see how it's done! Great job!

[@DomsRusticGarageMore]

Nice job when I did mine a week ago I hired 2 guys that do this for A living to help

[@BobsWoodStuff]

Nice video. Straight to the point, and if felt like all the information was important info, no fluff.

[@hannahswann747]

Great job from a fellow female DIY builder 👍💥🌸

[@JL-gz1rk]

Your video helped me build my wall 2 years ago still holding strong today, by the way you have some really nice teeth. Very pointy fangs very cool.

[@insertnamehere9154]

Great job. Looks amazing. FYI - A mechanic told me, u can mess up a cars suspension, shocks and struts by carrying too much weight at one time.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

I believe it! I knew it was bad for my van to do that but we really are on the last leg with that vehicle so I abuse it pretty badly.

[@margofitzgerald5395]

Proud of you, you did great 👍. Thank you for this awesome video. I'm going to try this.

[@elisepaisley]

Your explanation was very clear and I might be able to do this based on your video. Thanks!

[@James-bv4nu]

That's very encouraging; if you can do a diy retaining wall, all by your self, then I have faith that my wife can too! =)

[@chudgo081793]

For being your first wall is great. The second row should got the same foundation, I understand that root problem, but they still need a proper foundation. Hopefully those roots don't damage the wall in the future. It end up looking great.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

I did add two inches of the paver base under the second row that went overtop the tree roots. Is that the foundation you mean?

[@scottpeters1142]

I watched the video you linked in the description. You seemed to have missed some things. Firstly the advised to use a base gravel. The material you used is intended for paver stone patios, not retaining walls. Secondly you used a river stone for your backfill rather than gravel fill. The problem with this is that it doesn't allow the water to drain from behind the retaining wall, causing the ground to swell and push out on your wall. It doesn't seem like they covered this, but you shouldn't go over live tree roots since they move and grow. This would allow the roots to push and move your wall

[@fortheearth]

Thanks for posting this great demonstration!

[@cex2407]

Impressive!!!! Thumbs up, looks professionally done

[@anthonyross3957]

Excellent. Good for you. We just started and I learned a couple of things. Thank you

[@quietdaze2989]

Great video, my dad and I are building a small retaining wall and I thought digging would be the hard part... now I see I need more materials and time.

[@free_at_last8141]

Awesome, thanks for making a beginners DIY video for this project type.

[@abram35319]

Very nice work, and you did your homework for the step up. Very inspiring. 😊

[@kenliu808]

You are funny. "It was heavier than I thought..," got me!

[@amandalinder1135]

I know that it seems like retaining walls (especially if they are small) are super easy, but there is so much more to a proper wall than what is shown in this video. The base isn't deep enough, the drainage aggregate behind the wall should be at least 12" behind the wall, these block aren't heavy duty enough to help hold up the concrete pad on top or the load of vehicular traffic.

[@deifor]

Waiting for your instructional video.

[@amandalinder4016]

@@deifor It's coming most likely this fall or winter.

[@paulreyes6194]

Elle et vraiment forte! Très beaux travail 👍

[@rocscee6902]

Nice! I'm going to try this also. 🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@285runt]

I like the finished look, and simple solution.

[@CocoChanelle-1]

Good job and yes gloves 🧤!

[@gearygodfrey3260]

Thanks I have a backyard slope about four feet tall , and it’s an eye sore so I wanna built a retaining wall to block it’s view .thank you for sharing

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

On bigger walls, you might need to do more soil reinforcement with fabric between the block layers and more drainage. Be sure to check with the building supply specialists on the specs of your wall and good luck!! 😊

[@peter9477]

Also check local building codes to see if you need a permit and approval for the wall. Around here anything over 3 feet would need that.

[@charlesscioli5268]

Nice Job! Looks Great!

[@AfricanEmpress01]

Thank you, built one of these with my brother in law in the last 10 years. Left the heavy work to him and he loved it. We may be at it again in the future. P.E.A.C.E

[@MsFarmer567]

“AWESOME “

[@Johnthelittlebuilder]

Looks great! But definitely recommend using landscape fabric and construction adhesive

[@goldentiger1841]

Hmm ... I like that 2 by 8 compacter thats what I learned! Presentable job I like it.

[@rhoclarry]

$32.00 for a tamper at Home Depot. It's worth the money.

[@ccwnoob4393]

That's impressive ... a lot of skill and sweat. I laughed at the end when you smiled and proclaimed, "And that's it!"

[@iqinsanity]

Beautiful results as always

[@JPaterson8942]

Very nice. Our front yard slopes down to the road and is super lumpy. I want to level it; and maybe add a retaining wall to raise it to a consistent height. You make it look easy

[@shayudeshpande1773]

Great job! Appreciate that you didnt make this into a 30 min video!! Short and informative. I am inspired to do this project!

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

So glad to hear!

[@1991chevysilverado23]

Looks great 👏🏼

[@dougcooper5740]

This is exactly what I needed

[@jeffreywilliams9561]

Beautiful!!! The wall looks great too!

[@cindymancini6153]

🤩 WOW it’s so nice! I’m impressed and inspired to build one myself.

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

Thanks! I'm glad to have inspired you!

[@justinphilpott]

Really cool video, great wall and lovely açcent too :)

[@nordyfamily]

Great job, that place has come together so nice. I hope you have a basement to continue remodeling. Keep up the hard work

[@jaimecabot1663]

Great Video , simple explanation of an easy job!

[@dlrsnate5100]

going to use this and apply it to my front yard! hopefully finish by the new year thanks!

[@catherinemurphy873]

Good girl. U did an amazing job 💯. Thanks 👍

[@Mr2greys]

Good video, the only thing I would add is dealing with grade. Usual recommendation is about a 1-2* slope to allow water to flow. That is easily figured by placing something about a halfinch thick on the end of a 4ft level and have that at the lower side. It should show as being level if graded properly

[@rhysbertrand8903]

10mm over a meter is standard grade internationally. But that's for paths and pads, not walls.

[@morenaczarnecki5066]

You did a great job and saved a bunch of money a professional to do the same or not even as nice!

[@WelcometotheWoodsBlog]

Thanks so much Morena!