My retaining wall 5 years later + Q&A

My tutorial on how to build a retaining wall: • How to Build a Retaini...
My recommended adhesive for retaining walls: amzn.to/2YvlgpE
- Contents of this video ---------------------------
01:15 - Update - retaining wall after six years
01:58 - Why didn't I install a drainpipe?
02:30 - When do you need Geogrid for retaining walls?
02:44 - Is the fence on the side acting as a retaining wall?
02:59 - Do you remove the lip from the first row of blocks?
03:21 - Can you build a wall taller than three feet with these blocks?
03:33 - Which adhesive is best for retaining wall blocks?
03:43 - Why do you only glue the top layer of blocks?
In this video, I show the status of the retaining wall I built in a previous tutorial six years after construction.
Then, I answer common questions that I received in the original how to build a retaining wall video.
--About my KZbin Channel ---------------------
Here on KZbin, my goal is to create concise, high-quality DIY tutorial videos that show you everything you need to know (and nothing you don't) to start any project with confidence.
--Related Videos -----------------------------
How to build a retaining wall (step-by-step): • How to Build a Retaini...
How to build a flagstone patio: • How To Install A Flags...
--Related Links --------------------------------
My website on how to start a handyman business: www.HandymanStartup.com
Facebook: / handymanstartup
Twitter: / handymanstartup

[@StayHandy]

I'm available for questions via video chat. Click here to schedule a call: www.tazet.com/handyman

[@kansasgardener5844]

As a construction worker most of my life (Brick Mason) I give you two 👍👍. You obviously did your homework and the wall turned out excellent. I'm glad you did this video to silence the naysayers. Great job!

[@StayHandy]

Thanks for that!

[@prohow]

Thank you for the follow-up, Dan! Your first video was extremely thorough and detailed, this one puts the icing on the cake.

[@lebronjordan802]

I used your technique when I rebuilt my retaining wall in my backyard 2 years ago and I love looking at it everyday because my hard work really pays off🙂! Thank you!

[@StayHandy]

Awesome! Are you quoting Matt Fraser?

[@EternalHarvestDecor]

Hey Dan!! Thank you so much for your video on the wall. I am currently doing a wall just like this because of all the great info in your video. I did post it on Tiktok though and had thousands of comments saying the same things you were getting in your comments. I love that you did an update and everything is doing so well. I may just link your review for them all haha. Love this video! Thanks!

[@nylesgregory2120]

God Bless your soul man. Loved watching both your Vids on that back breaking work. All solid and relevant points. Never listen to the Hater's Man.The World is loaded with them. Your finished product turned out stellar and after all the plants grew in and the wall retained it's original shape without movement after years of expasion and contraction is Judge and Jury enough. Learned a lot. Thanks for posting.

[@tomcosta47]

I remember when you built the wall' 6 year's ago time dose fly, good job

[@StayHandy]

It sure does! Thanks for sticking around as a subscriber to watch this video!

[@jeremynguyen2346]

@@StayHandy what kind of power tools do you like 👍

[@jeanlanz2344]

Thank you for the follow-up. Impressive that the wall held up so well.

[@StayHandy]

You bet!

[@Dcw-rp6ib]

I had that video saved because when my old retaining wall fails I was going to build it. good video.

[@jimbachleda2073]

great follow-up vid. I just did a wall similar to this one on my rental property, mostly by myself, was a ton of work but I have a subcompact tractor that helped a lot!

[@kimberlyh6978]

Thank you for the follow-up. You obviously know what you are doing and did a great job!

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jennalucia1758]

Wow, perfect timing! We are having a retaining wall built right now and I just watched the video where you built it!

[@StayHandy]

That's awesome!

[@anthonyruggiero9143]

Power to the ‘stache !! Thanks for the video, it was helpful!

[@Magesandrogue]

Love ur video, clear and concise. I just built a retaining wall using ur method. Now a flagstone patio as well. Wishing u great success. Cheers.

[@StayHandy]

Thanks, you too!

[@gal3599]

I watched your wall video at least 10 times leading up to, and during my wall build. Mine is only 2.5 ft above ground though, but it turned out great. Thanks for the help!

[@StayHandy]

That is awesome!

[@Rick_Retired]

I now need a very long, 2' tall (max) retaining wall in sandy soil. After bombarding myself with videos and learning all the terms and basics I came back to your construction video and labelled it the BEST for me to refer to. Now I just found this 6 year update and am astounded at how beautiful it looks and has held up, and how practical you were in the choices that you made for your construction needs. Key word: drainage. I'm in Florida, so in with affordable good looking, good natural through draining, glued, lipped 12"x8"x4" big box store blocks with compacted base and gravel as you did; and out with the drainpipe, and geogrid I had considered. I am however still planning on using geotextile under my base course to prevent gravel loss from settling into underlying sand. Dan, I am wide open to any suggestions you may have or cautions as well. Your work stands on its own as proof that a durable retaining wall does not always take a second home mortgage to afford.

[@StayHandy]

Thanks Rick! Glad you found it useful. I think your best bet is to visit a local block supplier and try to find someone knowledgeable that can give you recommendations for that area. It's free, and you'll usually gain at least one helpful insight that will provide peace of mind at a minimum.

[@jamelbow5248]

I built a wall using your video. Thank you Dan!

[@gyurka777]

Great job. I learned something I needed

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@masonfoster9448]

Love the stache man

[@andreyarzhayev2566]

Thank you, buddy! Good job!

[@murraymurray3741]

The steps look wicked great job

[@StayHandy]

Thank you!

[@ackack612]

WOW! It really does look great with plantings that are maturing.

[@StayHandy]

It does!

[@micreh1]

great idea to have a follow up video. I'm going to make mine exactly like yours.

[@ToutCQJM]

I watched the original video a couple of years ago. The wall looks just as beautiful today.

[@StayHandy]

Thanks for sticking around!

[@richardkawucha1232]

Thank you for the geogrid info. Don't forget about proper compaction of the soil, behind the wall.

[@TheSouprGrrl]

He spoke about that in the original video when he built the wall.

[@ufoster]

Thank you so much. This was majorly helpful

[@rero6212]

You're awesome dude and your video's are great. Please keep them coming.

[@StayHandy]

Will do, thanks.

[@HN-fh8di]

Such a beautiful job ! So informative thank you much for your valuable time

[@StayHandy]

You are so welcome!

[@cmorr72]

wow. that was excellent. you make it look so easy. thank you for the info.

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@southswellsd]

Great stuff ! Thanks Mucho, Man !

[@okstever]

Well done.

[@keithrayeski6417]

Well Dan Perry, THIS video…got you another subscriber. Your gentlemanly (I’d say Christian but the algorithm might block me), approach to your detractors, was a blessing!! I’m building ( yes, I am 😊) 30 inch high wall for my wife’s patio and I’ll be using your video as a guide. 👊🏻👍🏻

[@StayHandy]

Awesome!

[@Abstracted_]

Great job!

[@GrassworksLandscapePros]

Hi brother. Don’t even worry about Those people who don’t appreciate you valuable time to do this tutorial As a landscaper I agree. Is a hard work. Especially. Laying down the first row also here in Bay Area. We’re using 3/4 red lava rock. For drainage. It will absorb water better. And. Much lighter to work with. Keep up the good work 🤝

[@redesign-hunter2853]

Great video. Easy to understand and listen to

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tennis2469]

i watched your video and followed your steps buidling my 3ft retaining wall, and its been a year now. It still looks great, not a single movement.

[@StayHandy]

Glad to hear it!

[@GdnationNY]

I love this guy

[@Four_Eyes]

this is my favorite wall

[@pjsmith6954]

awesome work, thanks for the follow up!

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-bs7dz3hi6w]

Again bro u killed it. Thank u and u proved them wrong!

[@StayHandy]

Thanks!

[@jamesanguschandler24]

Thanks for the very clear explanations. I am considering building a retaining wall and looking for all the information I can find. And FWIW, love the mustache.

[@StayHandy]

Haha, thanks!

[@grea8hall88]

Great video, it was very helpful. Thank you.

[@StayHandy]

You’re welcome!

[@cakrespo]

Each one know how much work takes to make a project, and how much do learn with it, and always will have peoples that will say that they could make this better that you

[@cvinthe2255]

What mustache? Kudos on the awesome wall project. It's durable, beautiful, and well-made. Your videos are informative, helpful and to the point. Remember, Mr. Perry, the more successful you are, the more haters you'll have, so keep posting!

[@StayHandy]

Good point.

[@vicosee4439]

Great video thanks for the follow up

[@StayHandy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eaglelawncare5884]

Thats great Job thank you

[@ertreeservice9558]

Good job

[@clintvadnais7071]

Nice to see the mustache is growing in! LOL Good video! :-)

[@tylera5010]

Thanks!

[@user-nv1pm3kp2i]

Amazing thank you

[@Air2381]

I’ve used this method many times and works great!! Thank you

[@billmaggiore5038]

I love your two videos. Another good video would be to explain when and how to repair one of these retaining walls if it starts to fail. I have a retaining wall like this that I did not build and it looks like it is starting to lean from the top just a little bit.

[@lHurtYourFeeIings]

Oh damn. Your video inspired me to build my own.

[@StayHandy]

Perfect!

[@lHurtYourFeeIings]

@@StayHandy I actually built TWO walls in my yard all because of your video. I figured if this guy can do it himself I am no less capable. Thank you so much my wife think I am assume (I think).

[@Duhamal]

Hi, I have just found your channel and have been looking to build a wall in my yard. I was hoping to find in the notes an estimate or the accurate number of blocks you used. I realize this will vary for everyone but it just so happens I am looking to build a very similarly sized wall. Thanks

[@luzvillalobos6976]

Great videos, thank you, what are of the county are you in?

[@bennyraskin]

People can be mean to men with moustaches. Loved your videos.

[@StayHandy]

Haha, thanks!

[@alexsubanovic]

Great video thank you for sharing….and goodby haters. They were wrong and you Dan were right.

[@StayHandy]

Thanks!

[@solowundesignsbysamdavis9043]

That’s cool AF.

[@StayHandy]

Thanks!

[@gailcutler6300]

gorgeous

[@wawkb5125]

I came from the first video but I fw how you recommended to start the business I'm trying to build mine

[@StayHandy]

Did you visit my website and handymanstartup.com?

[@flash32productions]

Go Darnell!

[@StayHandy]

Thanks, buddy. haha

[@Chrissy809]

Great job!!! So this is pitched up. I have the opposite problem. My slope is dropping down. So frustrated with this :(

[@lukedel00sh83]

We mirrored your design for the steps on one end of our new retaining wall (thanks for all the help!). First two rows go straight out from the wall while 3rd row angles out and 4th row angles deeper. This makes the steps. Question: any suggestions to reinforce the front of the 3rd and 4th rows? Lots of gravel behind and under but nothing in front so they aren’t very stable and don’t feel comfortable using them as steps. Noticed you also don’t have reinforcement in front of yours but maybe you don’t use them as steps

[@abelmartins9366]

Quais as medidas de um desses blocos? Existe algum molde para poder fabricar o bloco em casa? Obrigado

[@tphan1205]

Great Video Dan! Can I use this method doing 3 tiers? Thinking about go 3' high, 5' flat then 3' high , so on... thanks!

[@StayHandy]

Yes, especially if you give yourself 5’ in between.

[@pyroblaze13]

thank u

[@craighenzel8259]

You need the top caps. Definitely the icing on the cake.

[@StayHandy]

Meh.

[@digvijay755]

Not sure why people spread hate.. :( These types of videos will only help someone who is looking to get a similar setting. As always, each landscape is different and when in doubt always consult a professional. I personally, found both of your videos helpful and learned from it. So keep spreading your knowledge and let haters be killed with kindness.. :) Take care Brother!!

[@bradleyvision]

Thanks for the video. How how would you go about building Stone stairs? Can I get away with less gravel? Or maybe even a couple inches of sand instead?

[@StayHandy]

It depends on how large the stones are and how much movement you are OK with.

[@ilovewrestling1000]

i am building a small retaining wall. I will have my base and then pack it down. I am considering pouring dry cement on top of it then laying my base blocks down. What do you think of this? what could be some potential issues?

[@semperudellis]

I’m planning to replace my wood retaining wall currently keeping my front lawn from filling in the ditch. It’s essentially a fence up against dirt, but looks awful. I know you said not to use your design above 3ft, but I’m only going to 3.5ft. I think I’ll go ahead and do it anyway. If it turns out to be slightly higher, I might grade my front yard down a bit more until it’s only at 3ft.

[@StayHandy]

Use Geogrid if you go higher than 3.'

[@M3_86]

Do you remember the dimensions of the block? Wondering i should use 8” or 6” height for a 3’ wall. Thanks

[@rudydokoe6950]

Hello, please I am trying to build a retaining wall in my backyard myself and I have some questions if you have some time to advise me

[@t1tan148]

hi there great video could you please tell me what these retaining wall blocks are called?

[@StayHandy]

I honestly can't remember. there are widely available though.

[@ike6384]

could you do a video on how to do those stairs?

[@StayHandy]

I’ll keep it in mind

[@CFTWFILMS]

I watched your video a dozen times and cross referenced before beginning my 3 ft high wall. Great. As I dug the trench, discovered solid rock formations. As in so big, I’d have to blast to remove it. I was able to hand chip just enough away (took weeks!) to place the first row below soil line. Only had enough time last season to do that row. This season I will complete it. I’m interested in seeing how you precisely did the left side steps. Can you do a segment on just that part? Thanks for the video!

[@StayHandy]

No plans to do a segment on the step, but I'll consider it. Basically you just treat each step like the first row of blocks. Good luck on your wall!

[@gregcrouse8833]

I know this is late, and blowing stuff up I would love to do everytime, but they actually make expanding grout (Expansive Demolition Grout) like crap you can break a large rock up with. drill a hole put it in and it will expand and break it. But you could just, nevermind I almost explained how to make explosives. Good you got it taken care of. The

[@audiodeb5579]

I found a work around and it seems to have worked... took forever! @@gregcrouse8833

[@davidj.gallardo4553]

Hahaha, Dan, I am getting my yard ready to install a retaining wall, and out of the thousands out there, this one and the one from 6 years ago give tons on useful information.... haters will be haters because you addressed everything.... except what size blocks did you use? There's a company who build their warehouse on a hill and using stacking stone on their 60-foot tall walls.... yes, 60 feet

[@StayHandy]

They are 16” wide and 6” tall

[@markrisinger9991]

Did you use a concrete sealant between each stone? Saw something like that around the 1:50 mark.

[@StayHandy]

No concrete sealant.

[@Xx_eeveemocha_xX]

I want to build my retaining wall just like your… only 3ft tall but my slope is higher then your… I can’t build higher then 3ft cause I just cut 3 big pine trees n there still big root underneath….any tips or idea for me ?

[@gattonpc]

Everything depend on the area you build that retaining wall. Is not standard to anything when it comes to building a retaining wall. You can build it with diferent materials not only cement blocks. Stone can be used too.. and even treated wood if is just for a temporary build. But the area you build it.. is the most important factor when it comes for the retaining wall resisting thru time or not...and the way is built.

[@imanahmad771]

Hi, I am doing a garden wall ( L shape) and starting from the foundation of my house. Should I glue the edge of the stones with the foundation in order for the wall to hold better. I am doing it 2 feet high which basically is the height of my foundation.

[@StayHandy]

No, if you build your base well enough it won’t move any noticeable amount. Glue is not going to hold it if it does want to move.

[@robertj.b2494]

good work, no traffic above so no geogrid needed

[@M3_86]

Did you fully bury you first coarse?

[@RedsVolkswagenRepair]

What made you decide to use a rock feature on one end and the staggered block step feature on the other?

[@StayHandy]

The step side is more visible where the other side is where I store my garbage cans.

[@LuisSanchez-cz6op]

Your wall has proved you right. Congratulations. But a question. What is hate? Think about that. Someone who criticizes you hates you? I’m pretty sure if they don’t like your design they won’t use it but so what?

[@this_is_steve]

Instead of knocking off the lip on the first row, can't you just install the first row upside down and backwards? Especially when it is competely buried?

[@khoyazween2108]

I watched your 2 videos. Very informational. You mentioned the cost was about $1k. I am sure the price has gone up since. Can you share the name of the blocks you used? Also, I have about 40 feet of wall I need to build but it slops down about 3-4 feet from right to left. You mentioned the gravel in the trench has to be even and compacted. Any thoughts on how to deal with the slope? Thanks!

[@StayHandy]

Yes the price is higher. I talk about how to manage a slope in the video. I recommend watching it again. To deal with the slope, you step the wall.

[@khoyazween2108]

​@@StayHandy I must have missed the part about the slope. I'll watch it again What about the name of the blocks you used? Thanks

[@YeahNoTellTheTruth]

Ouch, those haters much feel embarrassed. Naa who am I kidding, they will be so indenial that they'll probably convince themselves they never said anything.

[@Peaceful_Life123]

How can I separate blocks I’ve already glued together 5 years ago? I’d like to reuse the blocks. Thanks!

[@StayHandy]

You can try your best to pry them apart, but it probably won't be a clean break.

[@davidh4921]

Did you fill the hollow parts of the block with anything? Or just leave it as is?

[@StayHandy]

No, just leave it.

[@braindojo4128]

what kinda rocks are those?

[@YasinNabi]

wow wonderful channel... I enjoyed watching ! a fellow creator !!!!!!

[@tyler238]

Damn I remember this build lol

[@esepolloe13]

Can u use Decomposed Granite Instead Of Gravel For Retaining Wall Base?

[@StayHandy]

No

[@andycampanella3602]

hey bud on your video how to remove a fence post, here is the best method,, rent a car engine hoist or buy one (good quality) cut the post so a foot of wood is stick ing up from the ground put a larg e eye bolt into top of post attach engine hoist and pull the post straight up out of the hole. easy peasy.

[@aaronkleefisch2037]

What about landscape cloth?Is that necessary?and if so why?

[@StayHandy]

It’s not necessary for my wall. It’s used between the gravel and the dirt to prevent the dirt from clogging the drainage over time.

[@M3_86]

I’ve downloaded it for when I’m ready lol

[@zajnat9747]

Well, someone once said this. “Nobody how good you are or what good you do, someone out there will still resent you”. So take heart. One just cannot please everyone.

[@StayHandy]

You are right about that.

[@esepolloe13]

What kind of blocks did u use? I've seen the same ones but with no triangular gaps in between.

[@StayHandy]

I purchased them from Home Depot, but can’t remember the name.

[@esepolloe13]

Im actually building a retaining wall just like it in my backyard. It will be 61ft x 3ft high... it's tough work! Getting the base leveled out is definitely the hardest part (almost done with this part) lol ....Also How Much Backfill Gravel Did u have to buy?

[@Justinegallows]

What is the name of the blocks you used?

[@StayHandy]

I don’t know. They are likely called different things in different states.