Building a TALL engineered retaining wall on a steep slope #2

We build an 11 foot tall RETAINING wall to turn a steep drop off into a flat back yard.

[@adamnatanblut8707]

Stan this is really cool how you are showing how everything goes to gather for building walls.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Im sharing how we do it and there is more to 2 come on this one.

[@wirenut003]

The Quality remains long before the price is forgotten. Great work being done on that customers backyard right their.

[@Dirtmonkey]

much appreciated🙏

[@iwuvmycolts]

Stan, I am really enjoying this series. Thanks for the upload!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad to hear it!

[@jasonwooden9061]

Thank you Stan, I have been waiting for this series. Keep up the wall and paver videos!

[@Dirtmonkey]

This week will be the last 2 on the wall and then next week is pavers before we wrap this up.

[@xander9194]

Weather feeling nice in New Jersey, nights and early dawn is kinda cold (60’s), glad to see more videos, great to watch when I’m not working, mowing peoples lawns I’m 13 and saving for a computer

[@xander9194]

I over reply 😆

[@Dirtmonkey]

Sounds like you are ambitious. That will take you far.

[@russell-c2655]

Hey, Stanley. Excellent video, man. Looking forward to the rest. Superb!!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hey, thanks!

[@themintlord4744]

I got to drive a brand new kubota SVL 75-2 today and I can now say with confidence that machine was a good choice! I loved it!

[@thebeans804]

All of you work so hard! Kudos to the team! Great video...can't wait for the next one! Thank you!😊🙏

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you so much! tomorrow will be a bonus video on this project and then on Friday is the grand wrap up.

[@Upracefan]

Great work guys! Cheap no good, good no cheap!

[@Dirtmonkey]

You got that right!

[@BirdDogLandscapes]

Just finished watching your last upload , I’m a day behind it appears ! This feels like a free 2 in 1 video !

[@Dirtmonkey]

tomorrow will be part 3 and friday is part 4 the wrap up.

[@johnhamilton9229]

Stan, you dedication and attention to detail is why I enjoy watching your videos. Your team makes it look enjoyable and the outcome always impressive. Ok ready for part three.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Wow, thank you

[@johnhamilton9229]

@@Dirtmonkey your are good man. Wish you the best of success.

[@collincarter1564]

No part 3?

[@m3pwrofm3]

I have been working on building a firepit in the back yard with a 7' slope since May paying close attention to your videos for help. I am at the point on running wiring for lights and putting wall caps on the walls and for the steps. (Wish there was a way to send a pic) but only having 2 hours one day, 1 hour the next it's been humbling experience not having and power tools except a standard 2inch hand saw to cut 6 inch block -_-. A lot of troubleshooting and sitting back scratching my head on things but the foundation of the wall is solid and I can't thank you all enough for the content you put out to help out folks like us. Also I got the worst tennis elbow hammering away at blocks so powering through that I can understand the gimpy T-Rex arm haha!

[@gary368]

Was nice to see Sam and his grease gun again, he is the Clint Eastwood of your channel.😃

[@Dirtmonkey]

yep- but I have a lot of great team members that I plan on trying to get equal camera time to.

[@jeffrickey8114]

Stan I did a Wall using Big box store blocks 83 foot Long 12 feet tall with steps in the center and two conners coming back into hillside could not have done with such success with out your help so thanks for the help

[@Dirtmonkey]

wow- that sis a massive undertaking. Kudos for tackling such a big project on your own. It can be intimidating.

[@freddapelter8332]

I love the start to finish project videos Stan!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad to hear it!

[@stevebrough304]

I was laughing at 10:55 Stan, when you said: "What you're going to see next is going to seem awkward or off". Immediately after saying this you popped on full screen. Don't be so hard on yourself Stan lol Great video. Thanks!

[@rogerr1296]

New viewer.... I really like the passion and energy you have for your work. The kind of contractor I wish we had more of around my area.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Welcome aboard! and thank you very much.

[@onebridge7231]

Me before watching this series: I can easily design and build a block retaining wall. Me after watching this series: I can easily call a professional to design and build a block retaining wall.

[@Dirtmonkey]

😂👍

[@Raging_Boomer]

Anyone who has done this work understands exactly how difficult this job is. As always Stan your crew does great work!

[@dominicfarzetta]

Great video Man do I love the whistle of concrete saws lol

[@Dirtmonkey]

me to!

[@troggaming6609]

Watching this video I got a ad of you showing a blade

[@alexcavallo5481]

Just got here and already know its gonna be a good one!!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Welcome aboard Alex!

[@aarrondilello1205]

That Retaining wall looks fresh hope you guys have a good day 💯💪👊🔥

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Aaron You too! Stay safe👊😃

[@timmymalone5444]

Stan, you have one hell of a crew. Those guys are the best 😜

[@Dirtmonkey]

I am super blessed to have a great team for sure.

[@glennwolfe1663]

👍👍👍👍👍 video, Thanks Stan🤗

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you enjoyed it Glenn.

[@haydenuk02]

Looking great so far can’t wait to see the next one. Amazing work and thanks for sharing this with us take care

[@Dirtmonkey]

another vid just came out tonight if you want to see more progress.

[@haydenuk02]

@@Dirtmonkey I go will go watch that now. Thanks

[@josephrottina1901]

You guys do some awesome work Stan great video brother.👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks 👍

[@mikez4132]

I use an edging spike to mark the block instead of a pencil or marker. The scrape stays even when wet. No pencil led or china marker wax or sharpie tips wearing off, washing away or getting dusted.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats smart and you can always get a spike from just about anywhere

[@randywilson7039]

LETTTTS GOOOO BABBYY!!!! Been wait for part 2

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool! Part 3 is tomorrow as a bonus vid and the wrap up is on Friday.

[@CZAnthonyX]

hope you had a great day! I did to! This wall is amazing to watch be built! Hope no one got hurt while it was being built! keep up the great work!

[@Dirtmonkey]

No one got hurt becasue of the wall but bothBlaine and Alex got injured on other things during this project. You will see that tomorrow during the bonus vid.

[@1ronhall]

Thanks Stan! Appreciate the video.

[@AHinde]

Thanks for another great video!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for tuning in Anthony.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Baker's dozen is always good policy.

[@Dirtmonkey]

well said

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

@@Dirtmonkey Thank you.

[@charleso5347]

Another great video!!

[@SmittyAccess]

Norther tools sells that tool as well

[@Dirtmonkey]

Nice! Thank you!

[@brandonpugh649]

Always great videos and editing man. 🔥👏😎

[@Dirtmonkey]

Appreciate it!

[@marktieman7022]

Well Stan , I have ever done a patio and it’s 60’x20’ and it was a pain. Butt I kept on and used lime for the bed instead of sand. Because that is what landscapers in my area recommended. St. Louis area. Thanks for all the tips click and drop worked great! To bad I can not send a pic on this chat.

[@bernhard8540]

Haha I was about to say to Sam tractor supply sells one of those grease joint rejuvenator that clears the grease fittings but then you said he has one haha they work amazing for stubborn grease zerks

[@MrHomeland]

Impressive wall and equally as Impressive job site. The vid is full of good info and shows your guys know their stuff as well as you. God bless my friend.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Much appreciated!

[@treemonkey_ma1718]

Definitely worth getting a electric grease gun! I also have a milwaukee unit and if it failed, I'd get another 1 that day. I picked up that grease fitting tool from NAPA back in the day but I've noticed a few local AG suppliers that have them on the shelf

[@Dirtmonkey]

Those ejector tools are nice!

[@natepuckett4355]

Tractor supply sells the grease zurks injectors. Just got one last month.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Ah- very cool!

[@WastedMoment]

With all those Western Digital My Books, you should look into buying a NAS like a synology or something. You have a lot of footage, can't imagine how many more my books you have laying around vs the 2 I see on your desk lol.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I like to keep them seprate in case one fries out.

[@WastedMoment]

@@Dirtmonkey Thats the best thing about NAS units, you have different RAID configurations for data redundancy. You can lose a drive, hell even two, and once you replace those failed drives they can rebuild the RAID while still having access to your data. NAS drives are better like seagate ironwolfs or WD Red units, they last longer than the mybook. I would recommend watching network chucks video on NAS units, or Linus Tech Tips. As an IT guy myself, i couldn't recommend a NAS unit than anything else for you. I'd recommend a real NAS over a synology but synologys software and user capability is beyond amazing even for people who really don't know what they're doing.

[@robertrabhudsonhornet5869]

I do the same things I over build what ever I am building I over do it just Incas I need to add on to it later down the road. Thanks for the video

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on. Thats the smart way to do it

[@pyro323]

Dammit, you beat me to it Stan! I was just gonna say "that's what she said!" 🤣

[@Dirtmonkey]

😂

[@thomasyerbey337]

Great video Stan I really enjoyed this video 🇺🇲

[@ipod24gaming79]

Good Evening Stan, How's the day going. Nice weather today, hby? Lime sparking water today.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Gorgeous out. But thats coming to an end soon enough. Winter is heading our way fast. Im drinking Vanilla Coke zero still. Ive got a couple cans left

[@ipod24gaming79]

@@Dirtmonkey Yup snow season is on it way. Enjoy that coke zero.

[@AndrewShafer]

I second the cordless grease gun, I got the Dewalt kit and I love it! Such a time saver, especially with things like track tensioners that take a lot of grease

[@albertbuikema4451]

Another nice option with versaloc is that you can make them double sided as a "fence" that's built together with the wall.

[@durby24]

I work in a factory but I find this stuff so interesting

[@Dirtmonkey]

Very cool.

[@oldmanSturzl]

Thanks Stan! Unfortunately this series will wrap up about the same time as I wrap up my paver patio project above a retaining wall... At least mine is a 9-18" wall so no special engineering required. Still have 3"+ of compacted base under it though. Don't forget to get that smoke detector back up in your office! 🧐 I'd be happy to help if you want. 👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

good eye!

[@johnhunter273]

Sam has a weird "relationship" with his grease gun! LOL

[@Dirtmonkey]

😂 you noticed.

[@austinnipper278]

Anyone else get a blade commercial from Stan before the video?

[@Dirtmonkey]

LOL- from blades direct?

[@austinnipper278]

@@Dirtmonkey I honestly thought it was part of your video until I saw the “ad”.

[@BettaLandscaping]

I Honestly just love your videos

[@BettaLandscaping]

Never stop

[@Dirtmonkey]

🙏 Thank you sir

[@thesistersbeautysalon]

I need you guys to transform my backyard. Awesome work team.

[@douglasmorton6121]

I like this build series!

[@kylee5510]

Grease joint rejuvenater, I've owned one for 20 years purchased from a Mac tool distributor. And yes they work amazing.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good to know!

[@ApMigz]

Dude cutting the block, we have the same boots! So easy to put on and take off. I use them quarrying

[@Dirtmonkey]

Those are irish setters. OK but not really our first choice. I have the winter boots. Love the lace system.

[@keithparady2594]

Another killer video

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Keith🙏

[@robertvannicolo4435]

Stan how many truck loads of block did you use either In editing you showed the same truck twice or you really used a whole bunch of blocks. The neighbors below the wall must think they moved to China G.W.C.

[@Dirtmonkey]

We had to have at least 5 loads of block come in.

[@34ankiss]

Great video! What did you charge for this whole job, Stan?

[@jasonj9111]

Nice work. Thanks!

[@HalfCutGarage]

lot of contractors could stand to learn a lesson from your videos!!!!

[@joebodway]

I know the guy who dropped off the block! Good freind of mines dad!

[@Dirtmonkey]

small world

[@albertbuikema4451]

Always use the engineering as a bare minimum. If anything happens and you followed the engineering the liability falls on the engineer. It's a great insurance policy

[@sweetkellymay]

Kinda funny, the guy covered with tattoo's doesn't want to get covered in grease..

[@dennis2376]

It makes him look like he has a mass of dirt on his hands, the tats are cool. :)

[@Dirtmonkey]

grease is no fun.

[@trooperandcooperale3057]

If down the track the client wanted to put in a swimming pool, could he in that location?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yes but he needs to hold it away fro the geogrid. that needs to stay in place.

[@endlesssummer3406]

I'm fascinated with retaining walls, guess it's because it's all hills where I live.

[@Dirtmonkey]

makes sense

[@dennis2376]

Rotator cuff injuries suck and are a long term injuries.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeah- your sure right on that

[@msrebuilding5860]

We like to see the work

[@Dirtmonkey]

tomorrow is a bonus vid and Friday is the wrap up so lots of work coming your way.

[@philcollins3643]

hey I have a question Stan, it doesn't protein to walls but excavators more so. When you're parking an excavator usually everyone curls the arms and bucket in, why don't operaters extend everything out so the cylinders aren't exposed. The only reason I can think of is that it would take up a massive amount of space lmao

[@midaswhale7754]

So the operator can grease the machine before they use it again and before the machine is moved.

[@philcollins3643]

@@midaswhale7754 ah okay, that makes sense ,you wouldn't be able to get the top cylinder if it was fully extended, thank you

[@Dirtmonkey]

protecting those cylinders is a good idea for sure though.

[@Ethan-zs3dz]

They sell those injector kits online at Home Depot. But keep up the great content!

[@Dirtmonkey]

I didn't know Home depot had them. thank you!

[@UteTrac]

You already showed us this job! the neighbor called the inspector on you?

[@dennis2376]

Yep and this is the next level of it. :)

[@Dirtmonkey]

no- that was a different but similiar project. that job was only 4 feet tall. this one is 11

[@dennis2376]

@@Dirtmonkey Thank you for the correction.

[@ianunderwood5858]

Love the videos

[@Dirtmonkey]

Your first Comment today Ian. I think you have gotten that before as well.

[@luke_miller]

Great end result. How long did this project take in total?

[@nathanbrodeur]

Stan I bought the Milwaukee M18 leaf blower the one that has the 100 cfm and 160 mph wind speed and I'm using one of my XC 5.0 amp hour batteries from my mid torque impact wrench kit and on my 70 feet w by 110 feet long yard I got my yard done on 3/4 of the battery and I'm sold on the not having to pull a cord to crank a engine over

[@Dirtmonkey]

I love my battery stuff.

[@Rebel7469]

You talked about 7' grid length. I knew who the wall failed at 10', the inspector on site during tear out measured every piece and fined the company over one piece being 6' 11 15\16. I think the inspector was an arse but I guess if it said 7' a1\16 might matter.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have seen that happen and it opens up the company to a lawsuit for not building the wall to spec.

[@quincyvenable2279]

God bless love the videos brotha.

[@RickyShockleyMusic]

This is exactly what I'm looking for at our home here in TN! Do you have anyone in the Nashville are you refer?

[@robertandreoli9764]

Good stuff Stan

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Robert! 2 more coming this week. A bonus vid tomorrow and the finale on Friday.

[@Brandon-ji9re]

You can get that grease zerk cleaner on Amazon

[@Dirtmonkey]

good to know- thank you!

[@kauaifishingtales]

I have a blue point ejector that I got off the snap on man when I was working for a hydraulic shop 7 years ago, works wonders. Not sure if they still sell them but worth the money!

[@nashcobb3056]

here to help

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Nash! appreciate the time you spend watching the vids.

[@chrisspence3216]

I gotta do,this exact same project at my own home but 300 feet long

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats a very big wall.

[@markd6637]

I do too but much smaller still need to rent a skid loader

[@treyvonlanwservice6860]

Great video bro 👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Appreciate it

[@clauswandborg4389]

Hey guys! Howcome you use gravel underneath the blocks? In Denmark we would do like so: 1. Remove all dirt until we get to the claylayers. 2. Use a type of gravel mixed with bigger stones (0-32mm) with sand and clay so that it compacs really nice. Layer thickness around 15cm 3. Concrete wich will be directly underneath the blocks. layer thickness aroudn 15 cm. 4. Blocks. Behind we never use geogritt, I havent seen anything like that before, we put concrete behind the wall. But the geogritt seems very nice!

[@MrHunterseeker]

3:00 any reason why he isn't scribing and breaking those blocks?

[@joshallen3427]

Do you have a engineer full time? Or is it like a outside company you hire that provides a engineer?

[@rockandrattleretreat5830]

Is someone on your team going to be doing the Eggxcavator Challenge?

[@Dirtmonkey]

I have no clue what that is.

[@qqslp]

LOL "thats what she said"

[@Dirtmonkey]

always!

[@danielslawncare]

Things are really coming along aye. I’m doing my spring lawn renovation tomorrow and I can’t wait. Spring is finally here in Australia. What work boots do you wear? I’m slowly saving up for a pair and I’m not sure what ones to get.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I like Jim green boots and I also like keen but the philadelphia model. Both are great boots IMO

[@danielslawncare]

@@Dirtmonkey awesome, I’ll check em out

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

8:20 So what you're saying is you're Customers ask for a 9 foot wall and you automatically design it as if they had asked for a 10 or 11 foot wall... As long as the extra height potential doesn't cost too much in terms of added materials used to build it...I think it's a great idea...

[@markp5506]

They have those kits at Tractor Supply

[@markp5506]

Did I post the link for the fitting rejuvinator?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Tractor supply carriedsthem? Perfect! Thanks for that

[@tylermallory2504]

Being up north do you guys typically have enough moisture in the soil naturally to get proper compaction? Down here in dry as a popcorn fart colorado we almost always have to truck in and add water to our backfill.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Its actually usually pretty wet around here. Subtracting moisture is normally more of a problem than adding it.

[@ianunderwood5858]

Severe thunderstorm coming through my area

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hopefully you are in an area that needs rain?

[@jameskingston9427]

IPA Tools make that grease joint rejuvenator, you can buy a master or professional kit. Ibought one back in2016 from them and works awesome especially with brake oil if I remember correctly?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats what it looked like he was putting into it.

[@brandonm6052]

Your farm stores will have that grease deal, sometimes sold by lumax I believe. Yellow logo with red writing

[@Dirtmonkey]

I found a few places that cary them.

[@msrebuilding5860]

There you go perfect put your GQ face at the bottom of the corner of the screen because we like to see the work all right my man

[@Dirtmonkey]

I don't want to get in the way of the work.

[@johnclifton3910]

Bossman where can I find those red let it pencils you can tell me on the next video I watch all your videos

[@Dirtmonkey]

I don't know where those came from. A lot of times the guys pick up supplies right from Patio town where we get our block at.

[@stephanepelletier7919]

Perfect vidéo 👍👍👍

[@kevinantoine4891]

@5:29 he could've measure from the straight side(his left hand side) and mark the 5 1/4 now its parallel by default