How NOT to Build a retaining wall. RED FLAGS, common mistakes, bad designs pt1

[@kurtdietrich5421]

As a civil engineer, I've been designing these types of retaining walls for over 30 years. It's nice to see someone do it correctly for a change.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome Kurt, thank you !

[@kurtdietrich5421]

No problem. I mean it. Great videos.

[@gmaster716]

I disagree!!! That is geo fabric behind wall ...not filter fabric....filter fabric is how to prevent your wall from having dirt stains running down the face. .especially a white retaining wall..look out when u get a heavy rain not going to be good.. We have been installing these walls since 99 and install for supply store displays

[@joeebanks646]

@@gmaster716 ruh roh, dont think he will agree after watching the first 5 mins

[@gmaster716]

@@joeebanks646 im not sure what you mean?? I am right the wall was installed wrong

[@thomsautomotive4442]

I'm 75,000 into a backyard prefab shop build with a concrete pad and I've been screwed 6 ways from Sunday. It's been a year and a half and all I have is dirt I can't drive on and a unpermitted concrete pad. These videos are helping me alot as im doing everything myself. I'm building a stem wall, gonna repour my pad with correct footers and do my own asphalt driveway

[@markroberts362]

Retired Concrete Contractor in Calif with 15 yrs in operating engineers union just want to compliment u on ur videos , watched a few and find the honest and the average person can process the information and I wish this video stuff was around when I was bidding jobs. Way better than polariod instant pics HA HA HA

[@Dirtmonkey]

I really appreciate the comments Mark, thank you !

[@zacharymurray5725]

i’m 21 just took the leap of faith to work for myself full time, just purchased my first excavator and boy do I gotta say your videos have helped me out tremendously.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right on happy to help brother! God Bless & go get em 👊

[@nickpiscopo5]

How are you doing 2 years later?

[@altruism8637]

You are not giving superfluous information, you are giving wisdom in your field. Something I could spend years trying to find outside of taking college courses on this. Thanks and do continue to do more. This was amazing, you should now do one on how TO build a retaining wall.

[@richardbenson4750]

I love the detailed information as it's why I watch a 20 minute plus video on how to "stack bricks" while other similar videos are closer to three minutes.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks- I try to make it interesting. appreciate that!

[@rhino2484]

So your KZbin certified Richard

[@rustyscrapper]

I learned something from the video. Don't put fabric behind the wall. I built a retaining wall years ago using cement blocks and type S mortar as if it was a foundation wall. No drainage whatsoever. Mortared the bottom course onto a concrete pad. Back filled it with shitty gravel and dirt mixed, no geo grid. Built it solid like a rock. So solid it had zero give whatsoever. First winter when the wall blew it shot blocks 50 feet across the patio. It was lucky some didn't crash right into the house.

[@erwalls9156]

Go take a class from the NC

[@charlesmiller5078]

Ive never built a retaining wall, but its great to know how to do it right. Yes this camera man is alot better, go ahead and give him a healthy raise.

[@andrewmartinek9135]

Your statement does not make any sense. If you don't know how to build a retaining wall, and don't have any knowledge in it then how do you know he is doing it right? I am not trying to pick a fight with you, just curious. If you look at my statement above, I am making an argument that you can use some sort of draining fabric behind a retaining wall, and it hold up just fine if it is done right. To back up this argument I copied a KZbin video on how it should be done, and if done correctly then said fabric could be applied. I know the guy in the video did it correctly because of previous videos, and my personal experience in construction coupled with my knowledge. Anyway just my 2 cents. Have a great day!

[@charlesmiller5078]

You have to put your trust somewhere, I trust he knows what hes doing. Plus he pays me to say that :) I do see what your saying tho. But in the end I can be bought :) Dont worry I dont ever plan on building one ( thankfully ). In Fla, the only people that need retaining walls would be the super rich that live on the water,. which is way out of my league. Thanks for your comment Andrew.

[@DamasKriss]

@@charlesmiller5078 try putting that much trust in Jesus :P

[@mae2759]

Very much appreciate the extreme detail!! I really like hearing the "how" and the "why" you build these walls and the "traps" of some of the bad decisions people make. The more detail the better. This will help me when I eventually put my own retaining wall in my back yard. I would say, when making these videos, pretend we are all new guys on your staff - give us the knowledge and techniques you'd expect your staff members to have. Thank you for your videos.

[@derreck950]

This is possibly the best video on KZbin. Actually in depth about how and why, and why not, with a couple of jokes, but 99% just proper information. Absolutely awesome. Thank you!

[@1ronhall]

May I say “my man”???? You’ve taught me a lot about retaining wall construction and I hope to continue to learn from you by watching more of your videos. I want a patio and also need a retaining wall designed and built ....... so thank you for this content. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

[@Therealabrahamjoseph]

Stan, I personally love it when you go in depth on real stuff like this. As a comparably new business owner, learning from guys who have years of experience is awesome.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Abraham , hope your business is going well

[@matthewmyers787]

Yes! I LOVE knowing why, not just how. That's what makes you unique.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Matthew!

[@rachaels8976]

I love the detailed information. As a single, female, middle-aged home owner, the projects around the house end up being done by me. I don't have people to help so I need to fully understand upfront, what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. That way, I can plan realistically on how long something is going to take, what needs to be on site for day one and what can come later/second weekend I'm working on it. The other part is the detail helps me identify when I'm out of my depth in terms of labor, time constraints or ability. If I am having to pay for the pros to come in, I want to know what I should expect to see them doing and what they shouldn't be doing. No one likes paying out twice for a project so it's got to be done right from the get go.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Rachael and I'm happy that the vids help you out!

[@michaeless658]

Maybe get a condo

[@ortizle1]

I'm having a retaining wall installed around our new pool. I had such a horrible experience with the pool company now I have concerns with any company they recommend. I am so happy to have found this video. I want some knowledge of what to look for when this company comes out. Thank you. This video has been God sent. Love your beautiful black fox.

[@George.Coleman]

As a master in construction, building 45,000 retaining walls in my life of 230 years, it's good to see someone finally do this properly

[@mastersergeantski243]

I'm very detail-oriented and respect how thorough you were in the "how and why" of the project. Very informative and will definitely watch more of your videos!

[@Dirtmonkey]

I appreciate that Paul, thank you !!

[@backroadtherapy218]

Love this style of video because you dont just explain the steps as you are doing them. You explain the knowledge behind your choices and options that you can only gain by experience. I learned so much more than expected and appreciate it.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I appreciate that, thank you Robert !

[@RenJosLop]

I love how the eyelash discussion totally backfired haha Too many KZbin videos try to be perfect. This was a funny way of showing good camaraderie. Good stuff guys. And great information. Thanks for the video!

[@1999Valkyrie]

BEST education on retaining walls in my entire life!! Do I like these instructional videos? YES!

[@TULARECOUNTYNsV]

As a young 36 year old Handyman I fully appreciate your videos they have helped me out on jobs that I didn't know every detail on how to do %100 properly just had an idea until watching you explain n detail what to not do so yeah the more information you can provide the better !! Thank you ....

[@Pilot545]

I’m just a DIYer but appreciate your explanation and real-world examples. Def learned a lot even for small retaining walls at home. Much more involved than just throwing some blocks down.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Michael, glad that the videos have helped you out a little !

[@sparksfly77]

In my experience with cinder block. The rock you speak of isn't the only thing holding up the stability of the wall. It's a footer with rebar that goes to the top. Every 4th cell. Then pumped with 3000psi and quarter inch aggregate or pea gravel.Walls are still standing and looking good.

[@FadingSwordsman]

Yeah -- there's a fundamental difference in cinder block (cantilever) retaining walls, and "retaining wall block" (segmental) retaining walls. You don't core fill segmental retaining wall -- that would turn them into cantilever walls, with no cantilever footer. I think most people would be able to guess what happens when a cantilever retaining wall has no lever helping it resist the material it's retaining.

[@Solar2go]

Great info! I will definitely watch and learn from these. Please make more. However, I tend to view all of your vids, absorbing the info like a giant sponge. You have a gift of presenting what could normally be dull and boring information in a fun and entertaining manner. Thanks for all of the time and hard work you put into creating these for us.

[@Tom-q8h8d]

I love to learn the technical reasons why we do things the right way. It's the difference between building something that lasts a long time, and something that does not. Also, if we know the technical reasons, we can apply the same reasoning in other situations and know what needs to done without just knowing it because it's step 3, or 4, or whatever. It's the chef who knows why every ingredient is in her sauce, not just because the recipe says so. For example, I like the way you tied both walls together with the same layer of geogrid. It's because you understand how that will work to improve your product. Really enjoyed the in-depth explanations for those reasons. I'm a GC in Denver and don't do many landscaping projects, but have one in front of me. Thanks for the help.

[@snkolson]

I just found this channel by random surfing. I wanted to let you know the way in which you explain things is tremendously important and to not change a thing. Regardless of your background the knowledge and reasoning behind doing something matters and is very powerful in the right hands. More DIY or informative channels could learn a thing or two by watching how your channel is constructed for the viewer. I can also tell by the way you talk to the audience, and treat your employees, you are a very humble man. Keep up the good content you just gained another subscriber.

[@ravenmatthew5311]

The boss that is always getting in the way of his team doing their jobs 😂just kidding, you are clearly a great contractor and great boss. Love your vids

[@sweetie8041]

Just found this almost a year later. Thanks in advance for saving me thousands of dollars of trouble and heartache. Thank you! Looking forward to watching all the other vids, too.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you and hope it helps you out!

[@a0lxwzz]

It took me a minute, but I live about a mile from the apt. building in this video. I remember when these guys were working on it. You all did an excellent job! It was a great improvement and still looks good.

[@brendanmckenna4799]

I have a major hardscape project to do this summer, involving retaining walls with elevation changes, steps and driveway. This is the best video on retaining walls I have seen, bar none.

[@53KJB]

This is the BEST retaining wall build and I was literally dumbfounded in the latest methods to keeping the wall where you put it. Thank you for this tutorial and I WILL be looking for more.

[@Dirtmonkey]

More to come, thanks !!

[@jdub4802]

Hell to the yessss. I don’t watch your videos for my health lol. I absolutely love the level of information and professionalism in your videos. More than the know how is the why. If I understand the why I can more so understand the how to. Thank you for taking the time to make your videos.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks so much J Dub, really appreciate you watching !

[@kokoyhawaii]

So glad I watched your vid, I was about to use fabric behind my wall like all the other amateurs on youtube are professing. Appreciate it bro!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad you watched too, thank you and hope your wall turns out awesome!

[@MrPhil00001]

I was about to make half of these mistakes. This video probably saved me $5000

[@paulseale]

And I was about to make the other half, and maybe many more

[@rokkinjohann]

My DIY retaining wall ideas just got an upgrade because of the educational aspect of this video. I won't be building a monument to failure now!!!

[@homeblt]

One more thing… I saw a video, where a well-known DYI guy used fabric inside the wall. I thought about it, but then remembered that you said no fabric should ever be required…I went with you. After seeing this video, I’m glad I did! LOL

[@makespace8483]

Your explanations are just the way I like them: complete. Keep ‘em coming!

[@gabesgarage3131]

I appreciate the thorough explanation of the entire process. I watch all these vids to do the things the CORRECT way for my home. Thanks alot Stan.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I really appreciate that and thank you for all the support!

[@LifeisGoodtyGod]

*"the only time you need fabric is if your going to be building underwater"* Me: hahahahahahaha good one *"which I've done"* Me: oh

[@brandonmckinney2648]

I know this is a old video. However you just explained to me how to properly build a retaining wall. With the reason why not because I said so. Been working landscape for 15 years and now I understand why geo grid is used. Amazing videos.

[@Nashish20]

This is exactly what we need. So many property owners and opportunity, but most going into it is never fully aware of what they're getting into. If it's your first rental property or building your first house there are a hundred considerations no one is prepared for, and at the end of the day, they're gonna try you tube first to find out what everyone is talking about.

[@elsagrace3893]

Yes, details! I’m not even doing this kind of project but I love to know the physics behind building lasting structures. You do an awesome job of presenting and explaining. It’s interesting from start to finish. Cute little fox.

[@joshuahopper8833]

Greetings from Gainesville Florida. I've been doing Landscaping and hardscaping for the last 3 years and have done most of the projects that you cover. I have also learned a few things from watching your videos. Please keep making them. You're very informative and knowledgeable in all areas of the trade. Well done. God bless.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks so much Joshua, love to hear that you have learned from the videos !

[@dancooney6529]

I love your videos. I'm actually starting my own landscaping business, and you are helping me know the easy mistakes that can be made and how to avoid them. I am learning so many new things. Thank you.🙂

[@sheristrom8269]

I am 1:29 into this video and I am loving it. This is how I do any fix. It may take longer, but it will last. Infinite KUDOS!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you Sheri!

[@josephogle2015]

Stan you would make a great building trades instructor for a school. i went thru building trades for carpentry. i had a great instructor. i went a half a day to high school and a half day to job site and built a house. at the end of the second year if your grades were good you would get your apprentice card and could get hired by people like you after you graduate. i like your videos like this it brings back school memories. im 59yrs old now. my days of working like you are long gone. thanks Stan your a good man!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Joseph, I appreciate the great comments!

[@BenMcDonald]

I've been looking for this level of detail for a while now. Thank you!

[@Dirtmonkey]

You're welcome Ben , thank you !

[@tedspens]

You guys have way too much fun on the job! A big "YES" to more videos, the more information the better. I'll probably never build a retaining wall but I enjoy pointing out other contractors' mistakes. Oh, and is that a fox?

[@RGK147]

Ya it's a fox what's stranger is that they have the same hair

[@tedspens]

@@RGK147 🤣🦊🧔

[@Wis-ti]

Absolutely love the more detailed videos. I work at Menards, and the information you give helps me inform guests on how to do the project properly

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome Thanks Isaac!

[@PNH-sf4jz]

Another fella' here from "down Under" who appreciates detailed information with the reasons for the various choices and variations. Means that the knowledge can be applied that is appropriate for the application. Thank You. Cheers, Peter

[@basilman121]

Hey Stanley, As a geotechnical engineer and former retaining wall designer, I appreciate your videos. Sending them to my friend so he can accept the appropriate bid for retaining wall construction at his house

[@suzisaintjames]

Love the detail nobody else is telling us consumers. Now I know the questions to ask bidders on my next project in order to weed out the wannabes' from the professionals. I can't afford to pay for a do-over. Keep up the good work! With lots of ❤ from sunny 🌅 Arizona 🌵

[@CalmSteve]

Hey Stanley, Nice show, I love how you explain everything so much in details, makes me think of me when I train new employees. I'm a contractor myself and I do mainly painting a remodelling. I just found your channel and I will keep watching! Btw, about your fox, I think she has fleas pretty bad "or dry skin, my bad", you should probably ask a vet what you could use to eradicate. I find frontline works wonders on dogs, I don't know if it would be good for foxes though. No puns intended, just thought I'd share! ;)

[@ChrisFredriksson]

Never done anything similar to what you're doing, but I'm learning so much! You're a real inspiration! Now I need to purchase a house to start building - the right way of course :) Great video!

[@ChrisFredriksson]

Oh and it would have been cool to see the final result of the job as well =) Maybe in an upcoming video?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks Chris!

[@andrewmartinek9135]

No disrespect, but there is a lot to learn before you even think about before even breaking ground to build a house!!! I have done a lot of construction work early on in my life but decided to pursue a different career path. Although now this work is calling me back. Anyway, there was a lot of things to take into consideration before even building a house!! Like way way more then what I even figured. If you want to build a house then start watching this you-tube channel Essential Craftsman, and gain the perspective on what it takes to do so.

[@Bootstrahps]

I enjoy the deep dive videos. Seeing you interact with the boys reminds me a lot of the job sites that I work on. It’s hard to get through a day without messing with someone, it makes the day go by faster.

[@alexb6307]

You are single handedly teaching me how to build a retaining wall for my new house. Please keep making these videos on everything you do.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats so awesome, thanks and more vids to come !!

[@graveldoctorofohio4950]

I LOVE Geo-Grid. I particularly love the way I can replace $8 in base stone with $5 in Grid. I seriously think that it's one of the most game changing technological advances since Macadam figured out what the Romans did.

[@HoTsparkco]

Love this thank you! My husband and I are planning on putting alot of sweat equity into the property we plan to buy. Details are amazing! You rock!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you and best of luck with your projects!

[@desireeespinosa3954]

This was extremely informative. Thank you for taking the time to share all of your tips, skills, and experience. Very helpful

[@levibook]

This is awesome. I’m building a 28 inch tall wall and understanding why you don’t need geogrid and tons of drain rock/pipe is great.

[@davidhoover8877]

Explain in detail like you do because even us 50 year olds need a quick refresher. Especially when we don't do it that often.

[@MacalusoWoodworking4777]

Loved the video, as a new business owner in home remodel and landscape, very informative. Have many yrs exp in landscape, but not much in hardscape. Keep them coming

[@Dirtmonkey]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching Joseph !

[@KenParlee]

I love to learn from someone who knows their craft so well and obviously loves their job. I can't stand it when I see contractors taking shortcuts to finish the job on time/budget. I consider it not only cheating the customer but you are cheating your craft as well just to make an extra buck. Any job worth doing is worth doing well and if you don't do it right the first time, you will end up doing it again. Great work. Keep it up! P.S. Can you come do my retaining wall and driveway at my house in Ottawa, Canada? :) I love to see you do a video on how to choose a landscaping contractor... pitfalls, red flags, etc.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing Ken, means a lot! And I'll keep that video in mind 👍

[@cbentley9883]

I love when hardscape is done right keep em coming, I learn something every time you post a video! Who makes those blocks btw they look great!!

[@matthewhysell1938]

Versa block!

[@Halfcocked86]

Your videos have saved me Probally 20k since I bought my house a year ago. Because I just use your videos as a guideline to do projects right. Like my retaining wall. I could have done it years ago as Well but I would have done a lot of things wrong if it weren't for watching all your videos. Thanks keep up the good videos. My next project is a backyard pond for fish and a couple turtles.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks so much Danny and glad to hear that the vids have helped you out. Best of luck on the pond project!!

[@davidcutebirth7536]

Around 25:05 , talking about the block with lip on bottom rear. The first time I used this kind of block, the face and the lip were horrible on 60% of them on the first two skids, had 8 more skids to go so, I called the supplier and complained about it . Luckily the Rep. for the company was there and met me a the job. Long story short, the Rep said, " the lip is just a" locator" and has nothing to do with holding the block in place. Weight of the block holds it in place". I think the lip helps holds the structure together no matter what he says. BTW he did have the crappie blocks picked up and delivered new ones. Thanks for the video., I did learn something

[@Dirtmonkey]

You're welcome David, glad to hear it !

[@davidmossholder6396]

“I call this block.” 😂🤣😂 Great video. Thanks to your team.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you David!

[@lancerobinson8364]

"do you like videos where we get into the details" YES. Yes we do.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for watching Lance!

[@r.j.martin1818]

Yes, and what is that animal?

[@lancerobinson8364]

@@r.j.martin1818 silver fox?

[@randygreen007]

Lance Robinson that’s my guess as well. It has that predatory stare opposed to the docile look of domestication.

[@jimivega]

We love you Dude. Do Boy!!!!

[@pentagonlandscaping]

Hey Stanley. We've installed a few walls in the 10 years we've been in business. We have ICPI Certification, and Techo-Pro certified (by Techo-Bloc). When we install retaining walls, geogrid is used as you described. However, we install a 'filter fabric' behind the clean stone, so between the clean stone and the reinforced soil. The fabric is used to separate the two mediums, the fabric keeps the soil (if it breaks down) from entering the clean stone and compromised its ability to shed water. Over time without fabric separating the two medium, soil will work its way into the clean stone, causing the sidewalk to sag along the paver and the cap. Over time the soil will totally compromise the clean stone, and the clean stone will loose its ability to shed water. In winter the freeze will push the wall slightly, spring thaw the soil and rock move down and take up the void created by the freeze cycle, further sinking the paver walkway/driveway/etc... the next winter the wall moves again. Rinse, wash, repeat. The same is done for any basework, whether its a driveway, walkway, or roadway. The fabric (different from application to application) is used to separate the basework from the in situ soils. As overtime the stone will migrate into the soils regardless of how compacted they are or how much the soil has been amended.

[@albertbresca5801]

agree with the fabric as I built a retaining wall (that is still standing... and looks good...amazing that !!) but the fabric was white and actually a fabric not black and looking like strips of plastic fibre...

[@believeitlandscapemaintena7636]

He's not against filter fabric separating mediums but using any fabric other than the kind of GeoTextile fabric he showcased against the entire face of the back wall that is backfilled. Especially if the fabric used is that micro screened black kind he pictured in the video because it gets clogged than prevents drainage, as per design. Pantagon Landscaping, are you based out of Alberta Canada? Thanks for the great description of how a retaining wall is constructed with the further detail and emphasis on the soil distinction & separation

[@ColeSpolaric]

I do the same on my home built walls. If water flows right through the fabric then it's good to use. But to separate the soil from the stone used for drainage. Not right behind the block.

[@lmssoccer]

I appreciate this information so much! I am a co-owner of a newly started lawn care business and we have been asked to do a couple of these walls just for garden beds. This will help me do forward with confidence knowing it will last.

[@tonyprosdocimo8713]

Great video. I have a small landscape company in Pennsylvania. Lots of contractors are switching to Allan block because of the light weight and no pins. I agree with you completely on wrong block to use. I have tons of work repairing old/failing walls.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for sharing Tony 👍

[@sergeykazantsev1]

What I'd like to say as a mason : you never build anything with dirt. As soon as you have removed dirt- this is it, you've got the "disturbed soil", don't put it back, throw it away, put crashed rock there or pit run(sand and stones), then compact. Don't build anything on black dirt, dig to brown clay. Do not back fill dirt against back of retaining wall, in winter, when it will saturate with water, the freeze will expand everything like crazy, it will push your blocks outward. Use drainage rocks everywhere, let all drain down. Use geogrid if you will go higher than 4feet. or if you need super stable lower wall. If you have to, go ahead, lay first bottom course on mortar, to make it straight. Compact everything always. Use those dead blow mallets, those are very good, instead of bouncing rubber mallets. Geo grid works like "deadman" for other types of retaining walls and also stabilize the whole mass behind retaining wall, because block tiers actually work also as veneers for the mass behind . Blocks do stabilize, but it should be along with the mass behind them.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for the input Sergey and thanks for watching

[@davec.3198]

I was confused on this as well. In the first example of a failure, did the geotextile fiber against the wall cause the wall to fall or was it the lack of crushed rock? It looks like they just backfilled the wall with soil, which will make it fail every time with out the right aggregate for drainage.

[@michaeless658]

You mean 1st course on reinforced concrete footing, just like homes are built on, then you will save time and be more accurate instead of using a mallet for hours straight...

[@sergeykazantsev1]

@@michaeless658 You can, but you don't have to, it's too expensive and overkill. Just crashed rock will work fine for the footing. But if you're ever gonna do a solid concrete retaining wall, then you have to make a very wide footing, not like for a house of 24-20 inch, but up to 48 inch. I'll tell you as a mason, the first mistake masons often do, when they build not wide enough footing for when they build masonry posts. You can notice that, when next time you see leaning masonry posts there and there. Because in a course of 3-5 years freeze and overall temperature changes start pushing post from sides. And if you don't have a wide footing, your post become like a inserted heavy stick, and it later on become out of plumb, even can fall down. (Same happening with tomb stones) So the concrete retaining wall works almost the same: your whole retaining structure should look like perpendicular upside down "T"- very wide footing. Then you have to use lots of rebar everywhere and of course- drainage on the bottom from the hill side. Even though, if you will go higher, than 5 feet, you have to tie your wall to a "dead man" in the mass behind. The pressure of back fill is strong and everywhere you need compaction layers of every 8 inch or less to have a stable mass. And the less clay- the better, pit run or crashed do the trick, when they sip away water from the upcoming freeze. (Sorry if I did a mistake in English, my first language is Russian.)

[@jonchapa1758]

I had to like the video once he said "I never wear deodorant" I couldn't help but bust out laughing! Yall know how to have fun and work! I feel like i'm there with yall!

[@MissCobra4]

Agreed 😂😂👍

[@jonsmith7667]

yup

[@andrewkennedy9704]

That wall will look 1000x better then the building.😄

[@Solar2go]

Perhaps after they're done building the walls, they can demo the buildng...

[@Squat5000]

Solar2go they built the ramp so the demo equipment could make it right into the first floor.

[@brizzx32]

So funny and true!!!

[@grizzlygrizzle]

It's often a problem in partial remodeling and restoration. You get one part looking brand new, and it makes the rest of the place look crappy by comparison. Or sometimes the place where new meets old sticks out like a sore thumb. Once, for instance, when putting in a slider for a friend in a house with white cedar shingles, I removed the old ones carefully and was able to find enough good ones to use to around the edge of the door, so the shingles all matched. And I do some restorations on apartment-building doorways, and leave in enough of the old dings so that the restored doorway doesn't look like new construction tacked onto a century-old building.

[@Justinlifts365]

it will outlast it by 1000x too

[@tommoore5294]

Thanks for the tutorials. I like what you are doing. Regarding retaining walls, I did put one in using the hollow core blocks with the fiberglass pins that lock them together. I did put a 3" deep trench of 3/4" granite (for drainage) as my base and did fill the cores with the 3/4" granite to lock them together (also for drainage). These are industrial-sized blocks that weigh about 95lbs. per block. Used a wall cap on top with a high-bond adhesive. It turned out pretty well, but 430 blocks is over 40,000 lbs of material. Took me quite a while to do the job. Wishing you sucess!

[@w900L]

You guys are legit. Great emphasis on the geo grid. I love that you talk about how the drain tile is essentially pointless because the water should weep through the block. And you’re also using the best block in the market for all the reasons you stated. I use Versa lok almost exclusively. I do a few minor things different and had good luck, but I wouldn’t argue with anything you do. Keep it up. There’s a lot of hacks out there. Cheers from Milwaukee. Home of many Polocks.

[@kodonosaki7342]

This is exactly what I didn't know, I needed to know. Bring it on!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Will do!

[@Finite-Tuning]

Hell yes I want the details, and the specs as well, one or two hour length is no problem cause I'll make the time for a good education so I only have to do the job once! These videos are excellent, thanks for making them.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you , glad you like them and thanks for watching !

[@EatKittenFaces1]

dude, thankyou for this. You the real MVP.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I really appreciate that, thank you

[@jasonmcfall5578]

I loved the fact that you were able to mix humor in with so much knowledge, I also respect that you picked apart a train wreck of a wall with out really calling them out. You never know right? I've done a few walls but never a project that big. If I would have taken that on as my 8th project it might have failed as well. Even tho I use Geo Grid. Great show.

[@lrgflrcvrng]

I spent 32 years in remodeling but now I need a small retainer wall that I’m going to challenge myself and this gives me the information I need.

[@Gunshinzero]

21:08 "You go home and instead of putting ice on your back you're putting ice in your beer" LOL

[@Dirtmonkey]

Lol!

[@SunnyCLT]

Not to criticize, but the very purpose of geotextile fabric is to act as filter layer behind the drainage layer (gravel) and act as gravel-soil separator. Like you mentioned, geogrid helps with surcharge. (btw, you missed taking into account another surcharge type - very load from the "wedge" of the backfill that the wall is supporting...angle of repose. This load get larger when surcharge get saturated) but it is filter layer+ geotextile that aids the shedding of excess moisture and reduce pore pressure and avoid the relieve excess load from saturated backfill. It also prevents the soil loss from behind the wall. Without the geotextile fabric, the fines WILL get washed out over the years and cause other issues. In the video you attribibute the failure of the old retaining wall soley on the fabric. Maybe they used the wrong fabric and/or used it improperly or maybe did not have a drainage layer of gravel between the blocks and the fabric. A properly installed nonwoven geotextile would result in better drainage and more stable than you method where you are relying on the gap between the blocks Nothing wrong with that in certain situations, but its misleading to state "NEVER use a fabric in retaining wall". There is no way non woven geotextile is going to clog up to a point where it can act as block. That water molecules that get shed out due to excess pore pressure is way tiner than any fines in the backfill and the gravel layer virtually holds no water. The differential in the pressure will result in a much better drainage than your method. Once again this is not to criticize your video and your 'eyelashes', lol, I appreciate the effort you took to upload this. I just wanted to let other readers know what using the correct fabric is not only OK but will actually help the overall design.

[@williamskrainski8407]

Wurd

[@superdave3181]

I can't agree more. Having built hundreds of walls with Versalock that are still standing today, you said it better than I could.

[@toddleone9696]

I believe the biggest issue with the fabric he was having was having it installed vertically as opposed to installing it horizontally. He mentioned vertical fabric is never good numerous times

[@cxlmobileheadlightrestorat7906]

@@toddleone9696 I think he also said weed fabric....

[@markpbetz]

Thanks for the tips! I was def gonna use that landscape fabric up the back of the wall, until i saw your vid. LOL :)

[@Dirtmonkey]

No problem, glad you saw the vid!!

[@jonathongoodson4612]

Same here.. saving me $60

[@dennislamers986]

I'm a homeowner that would never build a retaining wall but I love watching crap getting built correctly. More videos please

[@Dirtmonkey]

Awesome 😁 And you got it!

[@adampietrzykoski7344]

Excellent video...im just a homeowner, so all those little details that people normal skip or don't tell in their videos, really was enlightening....I gained a lot of knowledge from this video especially about the geogrid and the blocks themselves...thanks for taking the time to explain every little detail!

[@andrewkennedy9704]

We used hollow block but filled them with compacted a-gravel.

[@barbarahanson271]

Thanks so much for this very good info. I am going to be my own construction foreman for some newbies building a retaining wall for me :) This helps a lot. My wall will be 2 foot tall by 20 foot wide, but will have some load on it with a gentle slope behind it filled with decorative rock, so some pressure or surcharge, my question is do I need to add a drain opening somewhere since it is 20 foot wide? So far the design will be 4 inches of base, 1 inch of sand, then a 82 lb. brick, 8x18x12" deep, will bury 4 inches of first brick, then 2 more layers of brick, then a cap, 24 total inches or 2 feet. Thanks

[@geronimojiujitsu9541]

Love the details, that you explained here. I want to know more about that "Dog" you have at the end of the video? Is it a type of wild fox??? or? Thanks!

[@alexrusu6064]

I really want to know as well.

[@lherran]

That makes 3 of us.... whatever it is it’s so cute!

[@jamesgarrison5546]

Silver fox

[@mikegezz]

iI believe it’s a Chupacabra. They are a small breed originally from Puerto Rico.

[@Shawn-pj1ze]

Thanks for all the details and I appreciate seeing you guys act normal and giving each other a hard time, that is real life on a job site.

[@Dirtmonkey]

For sure Shawn, thanks for watching !

[@davidbicknell5997]

Loved the video. Love the sense of humor. More importantly I think the last 20 minuets just saved me hours of work. Just say no to fabric. :)

[@JL-zr8dm]

YES!! KEEP THESE ONES COMING!

[@ToTheTopCrane]

We use alot of Geo-grid under slabs and parking lots. Geo-grid is good stuff.

[@frankgorgone4879]

To The Top Crane where are you getting it from?

[@ToTheTopCrane]

Frank Gorgone, the company I work for orders it through a contractor supply center in our local city. A place called Jack Horner's Supply.

[@mikeguitar9769]

"Stabilized earth" is amazing. I think pretty much any (retaining) wall with earth on one side and not the other is going to eventually tip over unless the earth is stabilized with some sort of geosynthetic/geotextile or something of that nature. Here's a very general explanation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqDPoYaEa8SHecU

[@KB-ki7um]

To The Top Crane that Fox is too cool

[@komokozie]

@@mikeguitar9769 that was a really good video explaining the simplistic reason why/how engineered earth works so well... Many times in life it's quite simply .. 'The Genius Of Simplicity'.. It's the reason rebar is put into concrete .. works the exact same way adding tensile strength.

[@duramax78]

If you’re ever gonna fix that wall I’d love to see that.

[@Dirtmonkey]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

[@zimtuff]

Good advice. I'm in Australia but it ties in with what we learn in construction courses. What you should never forget is that not all soils are the same as this and the rules and methods can vary.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thank you, and thanks for viewing!

[@Kandou7978]

The more details the better, especially for someone like me who likes to know every possible detail and scenario I can face prior to starting a project. Great video, thanks.

[@EclipseLawnCare]

I definitely dig these kind of videos!

[@RxGuy95]

You should put text in the video (maybe middle or end) summarizing the key points you made during the video (i.e. hollow vs. solid, geogrid, etc.) Great videos, and approachable for the newbie learning about the subject.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thats a great point! Thanks Yamil

[@nickj3368]

Nice quality building, well done and yes I like to know the details.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool, thanks!

[@joethompson9612]

Thanks for your help. This the best video I've seen for me building a wall to protect a hot tub.

[@kakendrick62]

This really answered a lot of questions I have. I’m having to DIY a retaining wall. Thanks!! Loved the “special guest” at the end.