The Process -Building the retaining wall
Step 1 - Preparing the area
First things first, preparing the high traffic areas can be half the battle and we will have outlined this with you throughout our initial consultations. Before any retaining wall can go up, we need to prepare your property for the heavy-duty excavating equipment we need to bring in to do the job. Sidewalks & walkways need to be shimmed up to keep from cracking, irrigation lines & city services need to be marked out, lawns & flower beds need to be protected & then we’re off to the races.
Before we can begin laying the foundation for the retaining wall we first need to remove all the organics from the area we’re working with. Organics are essentially the grass, leaves, topsoil and effectively any material that is capable of breaking down over time, this will all need to be removed.
From there we’ll continue to dig down until we’re comfortable with the base material composition that will allow us to lay down the initial layer of crush ensuing the ground can handle the extreme pressure the natural stone retaining wall is about to impose.
Step 2 - Retaining wall Foundations
The foundation is everything with a properly built retaining wall. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on these walls and cutting corners is a sure-fire way to ensure a poor result. Retaining walls are working against the 2 most destructive forces on earth, water & time. Proper drainage is critical in ensuring the retaining wall won’t freeze, expand, slip-slide or shift.
Before we even get to setting the foundation drainage rock we need to scrape and remove any overburden not suitable to handle the tens of thousands of pounds of pressure we're about to place on it. Clay can be a problem in the Okanagan & when we run into it, we need to make sure the clay has been completely removed to recommended guidelines before any foundation material can go down. *Please note: There is a variance for potential increased cost should the clay in your site be exorbitant.
All of our retaining walls are seated on up to 24” of ¾ spec road crush dependant on the bedrock material. The crush we use is the same inorganic materials (rock & sand) that is used to ensure our roadways & highways are founded on ensuring maximum strength & durability for years to come.
Step 3 - Base rocks - The first row
Obviously the most important row, slope, and angle all play a fundamental role in achieving that perfect placement. Natural stones are tricky to work with and require a capable eye. A artistic touch with a little heavy-duty finesse to just get it right all the while planning for the next rock we’re about to place on it. 6 degrees of slope is the magic number all our walls are set to , ensuring maximum holding power, & stability with just the right amount of drainage.
Once the first row is set we will then backfill behind the retaining wall up to 2 feet with the appropriate drain rock or crush in order to ensure maximum drainage which is key to ensuring that the wall doesn’t freeze and bulge during deep frosts, ruining your natural stone retaining wall.
Step 4 - Packing & setting the additional rows
Once the foundation row has been placed the search begins for finding the right blocks, rocks, chunks & pieces of the natural stone to continue row upon row upon row. Typically the largest stones are used in the foundation followed by the medium-sized stone while saving the smaller stones for the top of the retaining wall. Each row is diligently packed & backfilled with drain rock, rinse and repeat as necessary.
Step 5 - Finishing the retaining wall
Once the rows of stone that make up the retaining wall are expertly placed, now it’s time to take care of the finer details. Handpicked shims are used to fill every nook and cranny between each and every larger stone. This gives the wall a little more of an artistic feel & beauty.
Step 6 - Finishing the area
Once your retaining wall is complete, depending on the scope of the specific project we often will also spread and grade the entire work area so when the landscapers arrive they’re area is prepped and ready for them to jump right in.
