Retaining Walls - How to Avoid Costly Mistakes and DIY your landscaping Walls with Great results!

DIY - How to Build and install your next Retaining wall. Retaining Wall Failures can be avoided with simple Construction Techniques.
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[@boomowthathurt]

"Sir, please stop screaming about drainage aggregate. This is a Walmart."

[@asdf12347109]

I had to skip these parts, it was so awkward

[@Pilot545]

Wow! I’ve been watching other “professionals” on KZbin building retaining walls and almost invariably they use a vertical fabric barrier. I’m an engineer (NOT a builder haha) but the explanations you have given about why NOT to use fabric and why to use geogrid are spot on! Appreciate you carrying the banner and getting the word out.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hey thanks Michael!!

[@Cam_M87]

I like this video but just to be different you should walk around your job site explaining how to do your grocery shopping.

[@LindsAyWithAttitude]

Lmao

[@DesertJacks]

Lol

[@TylorBennett]

Good one haha

[@iandanger883]

Underrated

[@giantbluewhale]

this must be what having ADHD is like

[@CoastConcreteCorp]

One of my builders wanted to do a stacking block wall. He asked me for a price and his bricklayer. The bricklayer undercut me by thousands, just a couple of problems. No geogrid, drainage aggregate, or footing (just plopped it one an inch of sand). The potential buyer of the House said, “I think the wall is falling”. Yep, just 25 days and it was falling over. He called me and asked me to rebuild it. 9 years later it’s still standing.

[@jesush.vazquez6851]

It is incredible how many companies make those mistakes or recommending terrace walls and are raking in (stealing) money from customers that refuse to pay for an engineered wall. Another top video by Stan!!!

[@crpth1]

I do believe many of those contractors don't have a clue what they are doing. Terrace walls are good as anything else. As long as they are done properly and several times it's a perfect way of landscaping a property.

[@webera]

Thank you for all your videos. I recently built my retaining wall based on your videos. 1. Got it engineered 2. Town approval. 3. Geogrid 4. Used a good drainage aggregate up to 3 ft far behind the wall. Most landscapers didn’t want to do these. I went with one who agreed for all of these.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats awesome to hear, thanks so much and happy it worked out !!

[@ritawix8217]

Ur videos are a Godsend.. As a single Mom I am a DIY-er (totally worth it tho since I went from an apt to house for my kids) I really appreciate ur taking the time to explain WHY u have to do something a certain way (I always need the backstory - lol) Ur instructions are clear & concise and u dont make it seem like we need to be Architectural Physicists just to do a home project. Love ur whole vibe ... dont know how HGTV hasnt snapped u up! (PS dont forget 'the little people' when they do!)

[@aaronm.3398]

After watching your videos on the retaining walls it blows my mind seeing folks building retaining walls never using the agragot behind the blocks and also not using the pinned blocks either. I'm excited to add this service to my tool belt thank you Stan. I'm gonna start with building one at my house to get some solid experience.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats a great place to practice!

[@djseberger5974]

Pinned blocks make no difference. The installer and engineer are what matters. There is zero strength factored into the engineering due to pins. How ever versa-lok does have slightly better block to grid connection than most other units. I'd have to go look, but keystone is also a pinned system, but doesn't get the grid connection that versa-lok does. The pins are plastic or fiber glass. I can break versa-lok pins with my hands.

[@dethmaul]

Aggregate :)

[@TomBammann]

This video validates my decision to bail out of what seemed like a dream family home purchase but an inspector highlighted serious retaining wall issues. I am glad I bailed after seeing all these issues. Thanks for sharing it!

[@rustynail3159]

I love how they have that dream pipe laying in the mud ....because that's really going to help. Great videos man keep them rolling

[@MLJenkins]

Absolutely awesome advice. Living in WV it is common to see failures of improperly installed retaining walls, as well as basement walls, due to the hills. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Matt!

[@southerndirt9589]

I would like to see a step by step on how to properly build a wall

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have a video out on that already.

[@shadaksharicr]

What's the name..?

[@QuentinNeill]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnqyg2Opa9SHqrM

[@jeremyb66]

Thank you for the video. I run a bobcat as a side job and I only do what the owners want. I don't do the kind of work you do. But I use the info from your videos to tell the owners that what they want may not work over time

[@kuzmicheff]

I like that you always put physics at the core of every project. Thanks for great content!

[@michaelgutierrez6293]

A video about railroad ties would be great

[@rickj1983]

I'm glad you work nationwide because if I need a retaining wall, you're the man to do it.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome!

[@deanmeyer1815]

Love your videos, you actually use engineering and common sense. You can't cut corners and still do the job properly.

[@verleejenkins]

Thank you so much for your great vids to help us struggling diyers! And when we can afford to hire, we know what to look for, too. God bless

[@lifeisgood070]

I think you could've gone in even more detail here. Would love to see more of this. About to re-landscape a lot of my yard in TN for better drainage.

[@jacobbruck2260]

Stan this video is a fine example of everything I like about your channel. so much joy.

[@dsimondublin]

This guy is sooooo good! I truly appreciate the videos you put on KZbin. I'm curious, what do you not do in lawn/landscape? I've seen a ton of you're videos and have not once been disappointed.

[@cw2lido]

Makes me wish I was back home in Mahtomedi Minnesota! Love your Challenger but more than anything I love seeing the retaining wall failures and how people who have no idea what they are doing are installing them! Let's make that retaining wall water proof! Drainage, we need no stinking drainage!

[@Dirtmonkey]

LOL-Yes!!

[@PaiviProject]

Hello. So we are aging couple who decided do a major life change. We will downside big time and one day be living in a coach bus conversion. We want to build it just the way we need it to be. Before all this can even start, we will need to build a driveway on a not even yard. It's gonna need to be big and strong to hold the heavy bus. It needs to be some areas about 2-4 feel tall. Omg ! You gave great tips. So much to think about. Massive operations ahead over here and we must do as much as we can by ourselves. I am so excited ! I live for this kind of excitement !! I know nothing !! aaaahh omg.

[@wagnes05]

Welcome to WV! I recognize the nasty slip in Vienna, WV, I live not too far from there. What a mess it is! I've been watching your videos for a while and I'm planning a retaining wall for my own property. I really appreciate the advise you share, it's extremely helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@ladyboywonder9139]

This video was fantastic and I learned so much! Which I haven’t learned from other videos so far I am trying to build one on my own in my own garden I am not a professional. 100% novice! I have collected Fieldstone and I am intending to build a retaining wall which should be about 2 feet tall . Maybe somebody would be generous enough to tell me; I believe I will go about 10 inches into the ground, with just a continuation of wall(more fieldstone) and put it together with sand and cement. So far what I know is to make sure that there is a gentle slope upward(A little thicker on the bottom) and considering the height I’ll make it thick enough I don’t believe it’s necessary for me to use any piping behind it and I don’t have any “ aggregate” (is that a fancy word for gravel?) I’m doing this on a shoestring budget(!!!) Any tips ?

[@sebastianmireles2759]

I'm not sure if youre aware of the terms "waterproof" and "water resistant". Those leaf blowers are water resistant

[@superturbocharged]

Wish he through his recording device in there with them

[@mikewright902]

Right 👉. But he said weather proof ✌. He probably knows. He's pretty smart when it comes to building walls.... I mean 😁

[@elsagrace3893]

superturbocharged STFU, I love this guy. Awesome videos. What’s your problem?

[@k-dinho9247]

@@superturbocharged *threw not through

[@marioyamasaki1925]

@@elsagrace3893 ok Elsa from Disney 😂 take your meds already!

[@alexshmalex]

I discovered this in my research before building my first retaining wall at home. Thank you for injecting some humour into a pretty dry subject! I'm already looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@nickenslandscapingexcavating]

Another great video as always 👍🏼 The walmart cashier looked at you like you were crazy lol

[@Dirtmonkey]

I saw That- I had to keep it in the video-It was to funny.

[@elsagrace3893]

Wasn’t that his daughter?

[@Bitternov]

"Free Draining"! Great expression. It's why rock walls are so good. (basalt, granite-etc). They draining so well. ...Often I see little, tiny weep holes at the bottom of tall, impervious concrete walls...The tiny, little weep holes are supposed to do all the work. Yeah, right.

[@bobawful3198]

Helpful , thank you. About to use railroad ties for a wall. Drainage/aggregation and deadman’s anchor are important.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Bob

[@kitty84043]

we just had to fire our contractor because they were redoing our driveway, and when they took out boulders and cement they dropped it over on to the retaining wall, cracked our foundation rocks and cracked the rock on the other retainment wall. they took half of the money and after over a month we fired them. Now we are getting a structural engineer to come look at it, and we have no driveway, rock in the road, and I'm a mess. I love your channel and wish you could come out and look at our project!

[@alimatrixzz]

im from mauritius island. have to rebuild a retaining wall.I hope to find professionals for this job. im opting for natural stone retaining wall which is cheaper but i also have concrete made talus in mind. u are doing a great job. keep it up.

[@johnpyle8027]

I didn't put anything behind my staggered retaining wall. Laying on about 6" of gravel 12" long 4" high blocks. Granted it is pinned by half the thickness of a block to my driveway that is not going anywhere and I used the block adhesive. There are sooo many variables with anything. My wall is over 10 years and hasn't moved an inch. I'm just a retired brick mason so I don't know about these things...

[@cpflaumer]

"Water resistant" and "waterproof" two different things. You are trying to proof if they are waterproof, which obviously, they are not.

[@lawrenceporter3723]

Hey great video, quick question I know to do clean stone behind the wall for drainage, but can I do 2A (modified) in trench ? it obviously wouldnt drain as well

[@CLoveIN123]

The Office, that was the perfect insert. Love'n the vids, thanks!

[@pavelgreenfield1254]

Hi Stan, thank you for your videos! Is it ok to the filter fabric behind a gabion wall to keep it from filling up with soil? Thanks!

[@760Kid]

I installed a 2' keystone wall about 4 years ago and it is looking as good as the day I finished. If you fallow the proper methods of drainage and installation they hold up just fine is So Cal.

[@lightspeedbriefs6896]

At last someone who knows how it is and shoots straight. I dig that.

[@guylandgraf6366]

Thanks man! Super helpful while I get estimates on my 3’x40’ old flagstone wall that’s bulged and fallen in WI. So as much 3/4” aggregate as possible and NO drain tile anywhere behind wall?

[@Dicofol1]

Good stuff as always. Do you know of any good method or of any type of fabric to block tree roots from clogging a french drain ?

[@adsinouterspace]

Great common sense info for proper retaining wall installation. I'm surprised just how sloppy so many companies are these days. Those walls you showed on this video were such a disaster I couldn't help but Lmao! Thanks for sharing! Btw, keep in mind that those blowers you submerged fully underwater, the companies claim are "weather/water resistant" NOT "water proof", there is a big difference between using your blower in pouring rain or taking your blower swimming in your local YMCA pool. Ha ha!

[@Firefun-jg3dl]

if you recommend not to use the fabric behind the wall, what would you recommend instead? just cover the aggregate with soil and thats it? Love your videos, learning from them, trying to build my own 2f tall retaining wall lasting longer then few years :-)

[@jjo1718]

Like a guy who prides himself on his work!

[@MrHolyshiter]

I'm building one now and am watching your videos. You're a funny dude and very helpful too. Thanks for the info

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome! Thank you Stevan !

[@charlesjuett7445]

We use filter fabric on retaining walls over the gaps in the panels. The purpose is to retain sediment as the soil drains. Our walls are engineered so filter fabric use is really up to the engineer.

[@machinegunfunkoo7dirtyjers532]

Walmart shopping while talking to a camera, as you shop, about retaining walls... you mr Stanley are very funny

[@ericweber8858]

How do you keep sediment from clogging your aggregate over time? Also, how do you finish your landscaping at the top when you have 2’ Of aggregate. Thanks you for your help

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Very informative and I must say quite entertaining video!

[@justuswintemute7400]

Sad thing is everyone thinks they can landscape. Landscaping should be a trade. It's like any trade, it's an art. Not easy but very rewarding.

[@kevingreen1658]

Is there any way I could send you a picture I need to know the best way to build a small retaining wall next to a walk way

[@JROB82]

This video just gave me alot of information about how to correctly construct a beautiful retaining wall

[@Dirtmonkey]

Great to hear! Thanks !

[@rossbonfanti2398]

Great video (all of yours are) just wondering thoughts on weeping tile? Necessary for all walls even if there's proper aggregate? (or will it just naturally weep if properly done?) Does the size of the wall matter? Is it ok to weep it out the front of the wall if need be?

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

I'm in the process of rebuilding a dry fit wall that was built 40+ years ago. They did everything wrong but no worries I've got this. Nothing like beautiful New England stone walls. This is field stone.

[@PaulGadgetz]

Hilarious! With the split frames out grocery shopping!!!🤣

[@TheShalomstead]

Thanks for the video. We just bought a new home and it’s located on top of a hill. My wife and I are planning on leveling out a parking space for our camper trailer off the driveway, which is on a slope. I’m trying to do as much research as possible to get it done correctly the first time and have it last as long as we own the property. Would you recommend cutting into the slope or building a wall at the bottom and backfilling? Which method is the strongest?

[@interspeciesfamily8043]

Totally informative and useful, thank you very much for your video. However, if I DO need to build terraced 36° to 38°, incline walls on a 1400m/4600ft in length area, right up on the incline, wouldn't your advice still stand, for each consecutive tarrace wall? Am on the mountainside of Cochem-Cond, on the Mosel River, in Germany at the mo'.

[@TheRealFOSFOR]

HahAHAha.. that part when talking at the cash register... cracked me up!

[@jwsmite]

I appreciate experts like you, this will help me and thousands like me for years. Many thanks

[@mrs.b.3142]

What are your recommendations for the replacement retaining wall once an in-ground pool has been put in the backyard area? Red clay soil is common to the Metro Atlanta area.

[@jamesemerson7333]

Should you put landscaping fabric between the soil and gravel back fill?

[@gmartin03]

How do I build a set of versalok stairs up against a retaining wall that's supposed to be stepped back but vertical against the stairs....? I'm trying to figure this out for future proofing my backyard

[@TheReaL35]

As a West Virginian and a shopper of walmart, i endorse this video

[@creativelandscapedesigns9493]

Stan, when you apply the Geo-grid do you place it directly between the blocks as well? Or only behind the wall? And are you using Uni-Axial grids?

[@alpacino187]

Thank you so much, I have learned alot from you, I love you man.

[@TwistedEngines]

I learn so much from you man . THANK YOU.

[@daxrrylk8716]

Any videos or advice for building and armour stone shore wall would be greatly appreciated. Can’t always relay on local contractors to do the right thing!

[@Eveningkiss]

What about a Gabion wall? I have a creek in my yard that had a WOOD retaining wall fail and we are looking at doing a gabion wall to allow better weeping (since there is still water coming through the soil) keeping in mind i am in a WET climate.

[@rustynail3159]

5:45 is Ultimate !!!. Absolutely hilarious reaction from that chick !

[@MagnumVideos]

I have no idea how the wall behind our new house was built. Kind of worries me at this point. You have really informative videos. Keep it up.

[@RJ-nx6pp]

Good Video. Thanks for Sharing!!. I used Timbers to build them, have proper drainage pipe at bottom, gravel fill, fabric to hold the soil. It has been more than 6 yrs now. But I see it is starting to tip over, it has moved slightly moved outwards at the top(like the one that is shown at end? How can I fix this?.. I think there is too much hydro static pressure getting built up? Hope I don’t have to tear the whole thing down..

[@idontthinkso666]

i wanteed to build a small wall, so i started googling retaining walls and found this channel. But this guy cracks me up! My wall is done but i still watch his videos. I don't know why! He is funny and atypical for the usual bonehead stone guy. He is smart but downplays it.

[@zacharymulford4172]

Do you use filter fabric at all, like between the the drainage aggregate and soil to keep the soil from migrating into the rock, clogging it up over time? Or does the 18+ inches of aggregate keep the soil far enough from the wall that no fabric is needed?

[@pawarv7900]

Great Video. Very helpful Sir !! I have to build 5.5 feet tall retaining wall. I took quotes from 2-3 contractors. All of them says, they would be using Allon Block classic block.(8x12x18). Each is 75lb. Is that good and enough size block? Please advice. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@Vizneezee100]

Wish you weren't playing so much and just focused on the wall more. This video is useless to someone who doesn't know how to do a wall step by step.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Check out our newest videos. Super in depth information

[@michaelstout776]

Not all of his videos have to be instructional. It's all right to have videos that are 75% entertainment and 25% instruction. Nobody in their right mind is going to watch this and think "oh, I know how to build a retaining wall now, let me just go and do it in my backyard." Fun is allowed and not everything in life has to be technical all the damn time.

[@thereefaholic]

One of your more entertaining videos.

[@seanmccabe5433]

Can you do a video of building a retaining wall holding a hill step by step and how to reinforce it

[@yowmemperor]

^ What this guy said

[@Dirtmonkey]

I think I can do that!

[@LordBLB]

I'm getting ready to do this for the first time myself. A video like that would help me and my friends greatly. You're the man, Stan!

[@licketysplick2164]

do it, full on!!

[@DangerRanger89]

Hire an engineer to spec your wall requirements please... every situation is different and has different requirements

[@lovetheprophets]

Do you recommend the Unilock u-Cara Wall system for retaining walls and steps?

[@charleyandteddy]

The lower part of my (terraced) retaining wall just fell six months after I bought the house. It looked new but after watching the video I see now they made every mistake you mentioned. 😭

[@FarmerBenny]

What are your thoughts on gabion wall systems (steel cages filled with rip rap stone)? We build them with no footing and no aggregate behind the wall and they hold up well and handle drainage superbly. They're cheap and can be attractive, once we plant the front face with flowering vines and cover the top with grading and vegetation.

[@RodJetton]

Do you have a video where ou I still or work with the versa-lok mosaic block?

[@benjamins6747]

New to the Retaining wall club, so forgive me if i ask a stupid question but, to combat the overly moist dirt, can i use lyme to dry the dirt out or even mix sand in with the dirt? If there was a shortage of dirt?

[@KVW22]

This is one of the most helpfull channels om youtube

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you!!

[@melaniejane9877]

I have granite foundation stones for a retaining wall and I want to install fabric behind it to help keep the snakes out. Fabric ground cover doesn't retain the moisture in my walkway. Why would it would stop water when it is placed vertically?

[@casycasy5199]

nice job showing what you need behind a wall

[@blessedng5171]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge...

[@jrocha82]

Im the small town i live in, i cant get the solid blocks for use with dowels. All i can get is the 3/4 lip blocks . Ive explained this to the homeowner and they want it done now. Any tips to make the lip system strong as possible? Im using clean rock behind the wall along with geogrid.

[@KDStyle1]

How do i get u to look at a "mess" in Dallas, TX??? I NEED UR HELP!!!

[@pang1oss]

So then what blocks do you recommend? My contractor is recommending belgard diamond pro pin system, it's hollow but 75lbs.

[@raymac2008]

Built my retaining first wall, 5' high at its tallest outside corner, using 4"x8"x12" interlocking blocks (on sale for 79 cents each!!!). The sign said max height was 24". I more than doubled that. 4" tamped gravel base. 1 and a half courses below grade all the way around. 18" of washed 3/4 gravel with two draintiles (one at the base and one halfway up). Two courses of Geo grid glued between courses with PL400. Staked back into the hill with rebar. Built it 10 years ago, and it just started to separate at the radiused corners. One mistake I made was using sleeved draintiles. I think they finally got clogged, and that's why its splitting.

[@s4slade]

Is it possible to build a deck over an existing retaining wall? I'm looking at doing away with the current landscaping setup and build over the railroad ties that are old.

[@leetomlee7265]

So are you saying that there should not be anything but draining rocks behind the wall if we want the wall to stand firm for a long time? If so, how deep below the ground level do you suggest the first course of wall be at?

[@agabri0]

What about concrete poured wall how does that drain and how do you put gio grig in that?

[@k-dinho9247]

Q: how to properly back fill for paving behind retaining wall instead of garden bed? Please help

[@kalebhatch3087]

Thank you keep making vids!!!

[@aarondarling6653]

I want to learn how to do these types of projects. what advice would you give a guy looking to find someone to learn from?

[@steviesantana8796]

good stuff do you go across state lines to do work or do you use contacts.Who can you recommend to do a retaining wall 20 feet tall out of hacienda heights calif 92509 zip

[@123mikeducks]

What do you think of a swimming pool that's used as s retaining wall? Simi above pool that's rated for this purpose .

[@mingwei1988]

Like your videos! Is there a way to check whether a contractor is qualified ? It's hard to predict by seeing their previous work , because those drainage pipe and gravel are mostly underground behind the wall.

[@agood1]

Always make sure they are licensed and bonded with the state contractor licensing