I dont think anywhere would be too far for you, Lee

 

West coast is a little bit of a push...

 

Todd,
do you have any suggestions or tips for using


https://www.lowes.com/pd/Castlewall-...1-5-in/3043801


I am looking at 13-14 courses for the retaining wall...I got about 200 of those for free....okay fuel to go to fort wayne and get them..


Or is there something better?

 

Lee that what I went to school for (landscape architect) and had my own business for 18 years. You can use those we did all the time but remember for every 36" in height you have to have a pull back anchor every 4' apart to keep it from falling over.

 

any links to this pull back anchor? I think I am right at that 36" in height maybe 40"

 

I'd would use a mobile home anchor into virgin soil then drill and insert a I-bolt into the block and use 1/4"cable with a turnbuckle. I get the anchors at lowes for around 15.00

 

If it was me I'd keep the wall at 36" if possible and regrade the soil then you wouldn't have a need for the anchor

 

The virgin ground probably wont happen...With the power, gas, water, cable and phone lines running through the middle of my front yard, not to mention the tree I have to take out...and the current anchors that are in the ground now holding what is left of the wall in place..

 

Leave and reuse those anchors if possible

 

I personally wouldn't use those blocks. I don't like the way they look at all and there are better products out there. But everyone's budget determines a lot in any project. Here's a real simple idea of what you're in for.

For the first course (this will be buried)
get down to hard clay
6"-8" compacted crushed limestone (57's)
1/2"-1" of limestone screenings (9's)
Start laying

Backfill as you go with 57's. I wouldn't worry about landscape fabric unless you hit iffy ground. We have such hard clay in Ohio it makes a great base. You'll want drain tile behind it. Unless you rent some machines, you've got lots of handwork ahead of you. How long is the wall? A laser is HIGHLY recommended.

 

Those are 1" threaded steel rod...the nut is like a 2" nut...


very unsightly

 

Thank you!

 

A lot of the larger retaining wall block are about 80-90lbs. They have open "webs" much like CMU. Fill with 57's as you go. If you go with something that has a set back like that with an open web, you'll need to put a cap on it.

Go to a place in cinci called Reading Rock. Check out what they have. They're on the cheaper side vs a company like unilock, but we use their products on 200k patios. So just fine. If there is something you like, let me know. I can try to put in a word with the salesperson.

They also offer a class. Not sure if it's just for industry guys or not. May want to check it out.

 

Sweet they are just down the street from me, I will have to run by the yard next Saturday!

 

Well I have drainage issues.....lake lee and waterfall lee were introduced last night...now to figure out how to deal with it...


Todd do you ever get down to cincy?