Just wanted to say thank you for the knowledge you pass on to the community of DIY. Also wanted to say great job with your nephews. Travis is lucky to have a man there for him teaching him how to become one. Guidance these days is under rated. Best of luck to all of you in business and life in general.
Thank you for the very kind feedback! It is my pleasure to share what I know with you all, it has been a blast so far. I love my nephews and I try to be real and show them what hard work is all about. They learn that at their own house too, they have very hard working and loving parents. Plenty of good examples in their life and they are a blessing for us too. I totally agree that guidance is very important, not much of it these days for sure. Good luck to you as well and God Bless! ✌
Thanks brother, I think the thumbnail came out pretty good and probably is helping its traction too... It actually hit a couple nice google search keywords on how to build a block wall so I'm getting a lot of external views from google. Glad you liked the video, I love watching yours too man. Always keeping me laughing with the shorts and always look forward to your long form. Hope all is well! ✌
Love watching you guys build walls! Thanks for all the great information about rain, dirt, rock, etc. It’s all super helpful! Hope you all had a nice Christmas…Happy new Year!
Very thankful for your videos. I have a 50ft retaining wall and 75ft patio to build (can't afford to hire someone for such a large project).... I would have definitely missed putting in fabric behind the wall. It didn't even occur to me. God bless!
Thats the thing about getting rain before a project is finished. It exposes the weak spots so they can be corrected. Great video as always guys! Have a Happy, safe, productive New Year 🎉
Looks very neat and tidy and the curve of the wall looks bang on! Happy new Year to you all. May it be a year full of success. Can't wait to see more of your work. God bless.
Do you need to put any drainage system behind the wall? Love the video man, I'm going to start to do walls down in NC for my company. You're a tremendous help!
In most situations you do not need drainage pipe behind a block wall when you have sufficient drainage stone. However a lot of people will say differently... The thing is that all the joints in the wall will let water pass through no problem. Most perforated drainage pipes behind walls never see enough water to even fill up, it just permeates through the wall block joints before it hits the pipe. The 1 exception to that would be if you are connecting downspout drainage behind the wall. Then you would want to pipe it through the wall. Other than that, my opinion is that the pipe is not necessary. ✌
Unrelated question. I checked and I don’t think you have any videos showing porcelain pavers installation. Would you mind briefly describing how you would lay porcelain patio pavers, What layers you would do, fabric, polymeric sand, edge restraints, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hey there, I have not used porcelain pavers before but I would lay them just like I lay pavers. Same base prep and same screeding method. I would use the same edge restraint and poly sand also. The only difference with porcelain is that they are thinner pavers. But they can be thinner because how strong they are. Other than that, they can be treated as regular pavers. Some people lay porcelain on a bed of mortar but I'm not sure I would go through all that. Good luck! ✌
I've done them and you have to use mason sand as a half inch bedding unfortunately. The top bedding has to be absolutely perfect otherwise the lips will take you forever to get perfect. The tiniest discrepancy in cpile or rock or such will be visible from half a mile away when you lay them
Wondering, here in Central Oregon Small chip stone is not available and everyone seems to use washed concrete sand (about an inch over 1/4" minus). Any recommendation for an alternative to small clean chip stone? The smallest hear seems to be 3/4" clean. I am referring to pavers. Thanks.
I'm sorry to hear that, I would say look around and see if you can find 3/8" crushed pea stone or even 3/8" round pea stone. If you cant find that, I recommend using the 3/4" for the base and bring it to height, compact it smooth and then lay fabric over the stone. Then you can use concrete sand and it will not migrate into the base stone. At least you will then still have the benefit of open grade base. ✌
You're very detailed in your work! I wish you and your team that 2024 will be even better and that the Great Architect of the Universe bless your hands always! A Happy New Year guys!
Your work on the retaining wall is truly beautiful, and it's fantastic how you are sharing your expertise and insights. I'm seeking some guidance: I've recently completed building a house, but the surrounding land was left relatively lower by the builders, necessitating backfilling. Lacking prior experience in this area, we opted for topsoil to fill the space. However, after watching many youtube videos, I've come to understand that topsoil may not be the ideal foundation for paving and driveways. Could you offer some advice on this matter? Should I remove the topsoil and follow your suggested method of backfilling? I recall your comments about driveways in another video, particularly the use of geogrid. Would it be advisable to remove the topsoil (keeping the underlying clay), add 3/4 inch gravel, compact it, then place woven fabric, followed by a layer of geogrid, and another layer of 3/4 inch gravel, compact it again, reinforce with mesh roll and possibly 1/4 inch gravel layer and finally pour concrete over it?
Thank you very much for the awesome feedback and it seems like you have done your research well. What you explained is exactly how I would do it. The only difference would be whether or not the driveway is in a low spot, if so the clay sub soil may be a problem but one that can be fixed with drainage ideas. Other than that, if it is on a decent slope, the additional drainage is unnecessary in my opinion and you will be all set doing exactly what you said. On the other hand, most concrete contractors just dig enough for 4-6 inches of crushed gravel (road base) with no geo grid or geotextile. But in my opinion, that is why most concrete driveways / patios sink and crack. They don't have proper drainage. Anyway, there are many ways to do something and there is a lot of variables from job to job... So keep doing the research and try to make the best decision possible. Good luck! ✌
If I'm doing a 10 x 50 raised patio against the back of my house, how do I slope the pavers away from the house for drainage if the wall blocks are perfectly level? Or should I run the short side walls at the desired pitch? I can't find this answer anywhere. Help.
Hey there, sounds like a nice project! You nailed it on the head, when building a raised patio against a house, I run the wall level side to side when looking at the house and slope the side walls that connect to the house at the same pitch as the pavers. The wall blocks being sloped 1/8" - 1/4" will be just fine and help keep the water away from the house. Good luck! ✌
I just stumbled across your videos and sub right away you absolutely do beautiful work could you point me in the direction if there is any classes around here in the New England area to where I can kind of learn the trade of hard scapes. Thanks.
That's awesome, glad to hear it! I do not know of any hardscape classes or courses honestly. Most guys learn by finding a job in the industry. Unfortunately there is not much hardscape education out there. That was a big reason I started the channel. It took me a long time to learn what I do and while I was learning, I could not find much educational sources myself. Good luck with maybe finding something though ✌
Awesome video and a great job. Just one question, This is one of the few videos where I see that you poured the aggregate stones first before laying down the landscape fabric but then you poured the same stone on top of the fabric. I thought it was normal to lay the fabric down first then add the stones. Is there a wrong way or a right way to do it?
Thank you. I like to lay a thin layer of stone over the subsoil and compact to fill in any low / soft spots in the soil before I lay the fabric. I do it on all my hardscape projects.
Quick question, pls answer : Since blocks are so expensive, do you recommend using bottom 1st row with some other concrete blocks or cinder may be. I'm doing diy 2½ ft tall retaining wall & all the good looking stones are expensive so just asking...
Personally, I think the bottom row is the most important in any wall so I do not recommend using cheaper block. It is more likely for that row to fail if using cinder blocks or cheaper wall blocks. Cheaper wall blocks typically break down quicker, you don't want that on the bottom row. ✌
Great work. I love watching your videos. It’s been a long time since I was a laborer doing hardscape work (dense grade then) but I plan to slowly start getting into hardscape jobs with my small business using your methods. Only thing I’m not picking up is the wall is perfect level how do you end up having a step up in block? Or how do you determine where you will switch heights?
Thank you, that's awesome! So when we start the wall, we start the wall at the lowest point with it partially under the grade. Then as you keep laying the blocks level, you will run into the sloping grade and find out where the best place to step up would be. If you don't step up, you end up burying 2 blocks under the surface which is overkill for any wall under 4'. Hope that helped and good luck with getting some hardscape projects! ✌
It must snow over there ??most people in california don't add that sheet so to respond to his questions maybe that's why some people don't use it due to area?state
It is not just because of snow, even rain will migrate the soil into the clean drainage stone if you do not use the fabric to separate the 2 materials.
@TheChristianHardscaper so if your in the desert or in california where is almost never rain besides enough to f up your vehicle this won't apply? Going again with Regional./state/area Climate
Do you mean Geo Grid or Geotextile fabric like I used under the base stone? We use the geotextile fabric under every install we do. and use Geo Grid for walls and in the base of driveways.
@@TheChristianHardscaper i wish every landscaper/hardscaper were consistent. sometimes the geo grid/fabric is used like here sometimes its not. i know i must always use 6 inches of gravel no matter what. the rest im still trying to understand. 🤯🤯
@@spicynomad Yea it can be tough for someone trying to learn. Everyone does things a little differently. I just share the way I do things. Here in Massachusetts, the big thing is the freeze / thaw cycles. the ground shifts a lot here during the winter months. So having clean crushed stone for good drainage and the strongest fabric while allowing water through is key in my opinion. Some situations call for additional measures but those things are typically noticed by those with experience and are learned by those trying it without experience...LOL The old trial and error approach. That is basically how I learned accompanied with advice from others in the trades. Here is a video link to a video I made which goes into more detail of how and why I do use the base prep method that I use.👉ruclips.net/video/aSoi3EI__Rc/видео.html Hope it helps!✌
Hi Kyle, I just found your channel couple weeks ago and have been watching your videos daily. We would like to remove the galvanized window well and put a nice retaining wall instead. Do you recommend the Techo-Bloc Semma for window well? We live in Washington DC area. On Techo-Bloc catalog I see many options for wall, have you used other style like Mini Creta. I only see you use the Semma. Is it because Mini Creta has too many sizes and harder to install? On top of the window well, we also want to build a fire pit and seating wall so would like to know if Mini Creta or Semma is better. Thanks!
They make tech bloc in Waterloo Indiana. Only an hour away from me. They don’t sell to the public. Have to order from a dealer. Which is completely bogus. Half the dealers in my location don’t sell those style of techo bloc.
Man, what a very weird situation... Surprising really, because that (Semma) wall block is one of their biggest wall block sellers around here. I would think the dealers in that area would have plenty of it laying around. Good luck finding it ✌
They give you 2 solid blocks per tier on the pallet. They are used for splitting and making corners. They are also helpful with starting and ending rows where they step up. Gives the transition a little more stability. ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper Oh okay. That’s cool. On a separate note, and I may have missed it while jumping around your videos. Do you fill in between your stone walkways?
Looks great! Do you get good adhesion with the glue even when the blocks are damp? We don't use geotextile behind our walls unless an engineered wall design calls for it. If the silt plugs the gravel in the drain zone it will certainly plug up the small holes in the geotextile. It will act like a damn and still push a wall over as you described. We are in the PNW though too and don't get a lot of hard freezes.
Thank you and yes, the glue still works with damp block. It is harder to apply it to the block from the gun but it will set good still. And I know that is a big debate on fabric behind the stone but I can never understand how people thing the drainage stone will stay clean with no fabric. All the silt filling the drainage stone is a way worse situation because that prevents water from draining which is exactly what causes walls to fail in cold climates because the material stay wet and expands when it freezes which is what pushes a wall over. The only way a wall will fail with fabric and water pushing on it is in an extreme situation where the designer did not account for it. Some walls have far more water concerns than others. This situation does not have water issues to begin with, so they will have much less chance for water issues now. The timber walls they had before had no drainage stone behind them and still stood strong for 20+ years because of the sandy / gravel sub soil they have which absorbs very well. In a heavy clay situation, the build would have required different methods. Building walls is not a one size fits all. ✌
When you bring the woven geotextile upward to ensure the 3/4 stays clean, would it not also limit the drainage and cause increase lateral pressure on the wall?
The woven geotextile will not restrict drainage at all, too many people think that.... I have been using geotextile under and up the sides of every walkway, patio, wall, steps, etc... for the past 5 years. Hundreds of installs with absolutely no drainage issues. In this situation, and the majority of wall installs, the surface water will run over the wall and down the front while some of it will find the drainage stone and go down / through the wall blocks. Any water behind the geotextile in the soil will just naturally permeate down through the soil itself. ( if you look back in the video at the part where it was raining like crazy 29:46, there was water built up on top of the soil / geo textile. The next morning in the video 31:05, you can see that all that water drained with no problem whatsoever.) It is far more likely for a wall to fail because of no fabric / weak fabric. Every failed wall I have pulled down to replace had either no fabric or broken down non-woven fabric. Non-Woven fabric does allow water to drain better but it also breaks down much quicker which allows dirt particles to slowly migrate into the stone years before geotextile would ever even think about breaking down... So I understand the concern you are bringing up but it is absolutely no concern in my opinion, you want nice, strong fabric to separate the soil / stone. ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaperReally enjoy your videos. I am confused on the use of fabric though; On the Dirt Monkey YT channel, Stan says to never use fabric behind the wall. Both of you seem to know what you’re talking about, hence, the confusion. Is he wrong? I just want to make sure to do it right.
Out of curiosity, what is your per face ft. Minimum charge for installing techo bloc where you are? Stuff is a bit more here in southern idaho than mutual materials and belgarde which i charge 35-45 for on average here
I don't excavate walls in a (bench) style. Meaning the base under the courses slowly slopes instead of being level. the closer you get to the step up, the base stone looses a bit of depth. So with that excavation style, I just need to makes sure I am a 10-12" below the grade. You can find that measurement by simply using the level to go over the trench at any point along the excavation.
Hello, I am building my first retaining wall ever. When building my first row I realized that the top side of the blocks are not perfectly leveled. They have tiny bumps or concrete imperfections. This is making the job difficult to level multiple blocks with each other. How do you make the top side of the blocks smooth and levelled without bumps? (Thanks in advance and for the videos.)
I do not use any computer software, I will typically explain the plan to my customers along with pictures of previous jobs that relate. But honestly, the designs and plans are all in my head. I can see and layout 90% of my installs with very little (Drawn up plans)
Most people who use sand or paver base to build walls is because they never learned the correct way...LOL 3/4 clean stone is necessary under and behind a wall for drainage and to prevent frost heaving / wash out. If you lay blocks on sand or gravel, it will most likely sink / shift in just a couple years (in a freeze / thaw climate).... ✌
It doesn't necessarily need a wall but by building a 1-2 foot wall, we can create a raised flower bed and it will also serve as a very long sitting wall for company to hang out on. Not to mention it would really dress up the property nicely 👌 ✌
You must not have had the good sweet cantaloupe 😂 That's just as good as watermelon on a hot day 😋 🤤 I miss both of them ( and the other good summer fruit ) already....
I'm a huge fan -However, you can't convince me the end blocks won't be washed out in a season. Too much water coming off the driveway and no path for it to go any where. Just my 2 cents.
I understand your concern but I disagree. The water will flow right over the wall when the grass is established and the remainder will permeate behind and through the wall.
I wouldn’t run woven geo textile behind a wall. Will inhibit water moving through and essentially allow for pressure behind the wall. If we ever use a fabric it would be woven. However we are almost completely in clay soil so we don’t use fabric behind our walls. We use 3’ of clean stone. Our theory is fabric is going to clog before all that clean stone.
The woven geotextile will not restrict drainage at all, too many people think that.... I have been using geotextile under and up the sides of every walkway, patio, wall, steps, etc... for the past 5 years. Hundreds of installs with absolutely no drainage issues. In this situation, and the majority of wall installs, the surface water will run over the wall and down the front while some of it will find the drainage stone and go down / through the wall blocks. Any water behind the geotextile in the soil will just naturally permeate down through the soil itself. ( if you look back in the video at the part where it was raining like crazy 29:46, there was water built up on top of the soil / geo textile. The next morning in the video 31:05, you can see that all that water drained with no problem whatsoever.) It is far more likely for a wall to fail because of no fabric / weak fabric. Every failed wall I have pulled down to replace had either no fabric or broken down non-woven fabric. Non-Woven fabric does allow water to drain better but it also breaks down much quicker which allows dirt particles to slowly migrate into the stone years before geotextile would ever even think about breaking down... So I understand the concern you are bringing up but it is absolutely no concern in my opinion, you want nice, strong fabric to separate the soil / stone. Especially with clay sub soil, that is when it is extremely important to use heavy duty fabric... You may need to add drainage tile in heavy clay situations but the fabric is key.
I hate water mellon cantaloupe. Kiwi and any other melon. Although my fav candy is water mellon sour patch kids. But u and benny can have all that ish while im eating straw berrys and drinking apple cider while eating sour patch kids, just tell benny to bring the ciggys cuz im out. Im jk my guy best wishes 2024. Still wana do a colab one day
Watermelon is the only (melon) type of fruit I like, cantaloupe / kiwi, etc. is no good... but watermelon sour patch kids are excellent! And Benny will have the ciggys no doubt! 🤣 Happy New Year to you also and I hope it brings plenty of success. A colab would be awesome some day. ✌
Geo grid will serve it's purpose no matter what row you put it on. It may not be required on a small wall but it still helps without a doubt. I just wanted to add it to the 1st row to help stabilize the backfill stone ✌
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Just wanted to say thank you for the knowledge you pass on to the community of DIY. Also wanted to say great job with your nephews. Travis is lucky to have a man there for him teaching him how to become one. Guidance these days is under rated. Best of luck to all of you in business and life in general.
Thank you for the very kind feedback! It is my pleasure to share what I know with you all, it has been a blast so far. I love my nephews and I try to be real and show them what hard work is all about. They learn that at their own house too, they have very hard working and loving parents. Plenty of good examples in their life and they are a blessing for us too. I totally agree that guidance is very important, not much of it these days for sure. Good luck to you as well and God Bless! ✌
Great thumbnail, figured i would watch the video all the way to the end since u getting some good traction on it. Plus i enjoy yur channel
Thanks brother, I think the thumbnail came out pretty good and probably is helping its traction too... It actually hit a couple nice google search keywords on how to build a block wall so I'm getting a lot of external views from google. Glad you liked the video, I love watching yours too man. Always keeping me laughing with the shorts and always look forward to your long form. Hope all is well! ✌
Love watching you guys build walls! Thanks for all the great information about rain, dirt, rock, etc. It’s all super helpful! Hope you all had a nice Christmas…Happy new Year!
I'm glad to hear it! I try to explain my processes as much as possible for the ones who are trying to learn. Christmas was great, Happy New Year!
Great Quality Work, No shortcuts....Excellent Videos!....Thanks!
Thank you, we try to always give quality results! ✌
Very thankful for your videos. I have a 50ft retaining wall and 75ft patio to build (can't afford to hire someone for such a large project).... I would have definitely missed putting in fabric behind the wall. It didn't even occur to me. God bless!
My pleasure making the videos, I'm glad they are helping with your project! God Bless you too ✌
I see your plan now for drainage. I will use this for in the future when I have plan my backyard hardscaping.
I'm glad it made sense, good luck with your future project! ✌
Thats the thing about getting rain before a project is finished. It exposes the weak spots so they can be corrected. Great video as always guys!
Have a Happy, safe, productive New Year 🎉
Very true, it can actually be very helpful for sure. Thanks as always for the feedback man, Happy New Year! ✌
Another great project comes to a close and look amazing as always. Hope you and Ben and family had a great Christmas, and a very happy SAFE New Year.
Yes sir, another good one in the books! We had a great Christmas, Happy New Year Brother!
Looks very neat and tidy and the curve of the wall looks bang on! Happy new Year to you all. May it be a year full of success. Can't wait to see more of your work. God bless.
Thank you very much, it was a fun little project! God bless and I hope your year is full of success also ✌
Do you need to put any drainage system behind the wall? Love the video man, I'm going to start to do walls down in NC for my company. You're a tremendous help!
In most situations you do not need drainage pipe behind a block wall when you have sufficient drainage stone. However a lot of people will say differently... The thing is that all the joints in the wall will let water pass through no problem. Most perforated drainage pipes behind walls never see enough water to even fill up, it just permeates through the wall block joints before it hits the pipe.
The 1 exception to that would be if you are connecting downspout drainage behind the wall. Then you would want to pipe it through the wall. Other than that, my opinion is that the pipe is not necessary. ✌
Hi, if i do the same retaining wall as yours but i will do it against the foundation and lay paver on top (heavy clay soil). Do i need drain pipe?
hard and excellent work I have also been doing this kind of work for many years. good luck guys
Thank you, It is always nice to hear from others in the trade. ✌
Unrelated question. I checked and I don’t think you have any videos showing porcelain pavers installation. Would you mind briefly describing how you would lay porcelain patio pavers, What layers you would do, fabric, polymeric sand, edge restraints, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hey there, I have not used porcelain pavers before but I would lay them just like I lay pavers. Same base prep and same screeding method. I would use the same edge restraint and poly sand also. The only difference with porcelain is that they are thinner pavers. But they can be thinner because how strong they are. Other than that, they can be treated as regular pavers. Some people lay porcelain on a bed of mortar but I'm not sure I would go through all that. Good luck! ✌
I've done them and you have to use mason sand as a half inch bedding unfortunately. The top bedding has to be absolutely perfect otherwise the lips will take you forever to get perfect. The tiniest discrepancy in cpile or rock or such will be visible from half a mile away when you lay them
Wondering, here in Central Oregon Small chip stone is not available and everyone seems to use washed concrete sand (about an inch over 1/4" minus). Any recommendation for an alternative to small clean chip stone? The smallest hear seems to be 3/4" clean. I am referring to pavers. Thanks.
I'm sorry to hear that, I would say look around and see if you can find 3/8" crushed pea stone or even 3/8" round pea stone. If you cant find that, I recommend using the 3/4" for the base and bring it to height, compact it smooth and then lay fabric over the stone. Then you can use concrete sand and it will not migrate into the base stone. At least you will then still have the benefit of open grade base. ✌
You're very detailed in your work! I wish you and your team that 2024 will be even better and that the Great Architect of the Universe bless your hands always! A Happy New Year guys!
Thank you very much for the feedback. Happy New Year and God Bless you too! ✌
Your work on the retaining wall is truly beautiful, and it's fantastic how you are sharing your expertise and insights. I'm seeking some guidance: I've recently completed building a house, but the surrounding land was left relatively lower by the builders, necessitating backfilling. Lacking prior experience in this area, we opted for topsoil to fill the space. However, after watching many youtube videos, I've come to understand that topsoil may not be the ideal foundation for paving and driveways. Could you offer some advice on this matter? Should I remove the topsoil and follow your suggested method of backfilling? I recall your comments about driveways in another video, particularly the use of geogrid. Would it be advisable to remove the topsoil (keeping the underlying clay), add 3/4 inch gravel, compact it, then place woven fabric, followed by a layer of geogrid, and another layer of 3/4 inch gravel, compact it again, reinforce with mesh roll and possibly 1/4 inch gravel layer and finally pour concrete over it?
Thank you very much for the awesome feedback and it seems like you have done your research well. What you explained is exactly how I would do it. The only difference would be whether or not the driveway is in a low spot, if so the clay sub soil may be a problem but one that can be fixed with drainage ideas. Other than that, if it is on a decent slope, the additional drainage is unnecessary in my opinion and you will be all set doing exactly what you said.
On the other hand, most concrete contractors just dig enough for 4-6 inches of crushed gravel (road base) with no geo grid or geotextile. But in my opinion, that is why most concrete driveways / patios sink and crack. They don't have proper drainage.
Anyway, there are many ways to do something and there is a lot of variables from job to job... So keep doing the research and try to make the best decision possible. Good luck! ✌
If I'm doing a 10 x 50 raised patio against the back of my house, how do I slope the pavers away from the house for drainage if the wall blocks are perfectly level? Or should I run the short side walls at the desired pitch? I can't find this answer anywhere. Help.
Hey there, sounds like a nice project! You nailed it on the head, when building a raised patio against a house, I run the wall level side to side when looking at the house and slope the side walls that connect to the house at the same pitch as the pavers. The wall blocks being sloped 1/8" - 1/4" will be just fine and help keep the water away from the house. Good luck! ✌
You're always doing some sort of amazing work. Thanks for sharing
Happy to share, thanks for the feedback man!
Interesting drainage plan, love it man!
Thanks man ✌
Love the videos! Do you compact the base after the second layer of gravel?
I just stumbled across your videos and sub right away you absolutely do beautiful work could you point me in the direction if there is any classes around here in the New England area to where I can kind of learn the trade of hard scapes. Thanks.
That's awesome, glad to hear it! I do not know of any hardscape classes or courses honestly. Most guys learn by finding a job in the industry. Unfortunately there is not much hardscape education out there. That was a big reason I started the channel. It took me a long time to learn what I do and while I was learning, I could not find much educational sources myself. Good luck with maybe finding something though ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper thank you for the reply. I look forward to your videos in the spring. Mahalo! 🤙
hi love to watch your videos dude! will you please make some video on equipment you use and how to get started with DIY stuff?
Glad to hear it brother! I have actually been think of doing a video like that at some point this winter or early spring when I get back in gear. ✌
Awesome video and a great job. Just one question, This is one of the few videos where I see that you poured the aggregate stones first before laying down the landscape fabric but then you poured the same stone on top of the fabric.
I thought it was normal to lay the fabric down first then add the stones. Is there a wrong way or a right way to do it?
Thank you. I like to lay a thin layer of stone over the subsoil and compact to fill in any low / soft spots in the soil before I lay the fabric. I do it on all my hardscape projects.
Quick question, pls answer : Since blocks are so expensive, do you recommend using bottom 1st row with some other concrete blocks or cinder may be.
I'm doing diy 2½ ft tall retaining wall & all the good looking stones are expensive so just asking...
Personally, I think the bottom row is the most important in any wall so I do not recommend using cheaper block. It is more likely for that row to fail if using cinder blocks or cheaper wall blocks. Cheaper wall blocks typically break down quicker, you don't want that on the bottom row. ✌
I am planning in the next to do same in my backyard, of course learning from your DIY
Nice, I'm glad the videos are helpful for you. Good luck with your project!
Great work. I love watching your videos. It’s been a long time since I was a laborer doing hardscape work (dense grade then) but I plan to slowly start getting into hardscape jobs with my small business using your methods. Only thing I’m not picking up is the wall is perfect level how do you end up having a step up in block? Or how do you determine where you will switch heights?
Thank you, that's awesome! So when we start the wall, we start the wall at the lowest point with it partially under the grade. Then as you keep laying the blocks level, you will run into the sloping grade and find out where the best place to step up would be. If you don't step up, you end up burying 2 blocks under the surface which is overkill for any wall under 4'. Hope that helped and good luck with getting some hardscape projects! ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper Thanks for the reply!👍🏼
Gorgeous job guys!!!
Thank you! ✌
It must snow over there ??most people in california don't add that sheet so to respond to his questions maybe that's why some people don't use it due to area?state
It is not just because of snow, even rain will migrate the soil into the clean drainage stone if you do not use the fabric to separate the 2 materials.
@TheChristianHardscaper so if your in the desert or in california where is almost never rain besides enough to f up your vehicle this won't apply? Going again with Regional./state/area Climate
so, i only use a geo fabric if its a driveway, right?
Do you mean Geo Grid or Geotextile fabric like I used under the base stone? We use the geotextile fabric under every install we do. and use Geo Grid for walls and in the base of driveways.
@@TheChristianHardscaper i wish every landscaper/hardscaper were consistent. sometimes the geo grid/fabric is used like here sometimes its not. i know i must always use 6 inches of gravel no matter what. the rest im still trying to understand. 🤯🤯
@@spicynomad Yea it can be tough for someone trying to learn. Everyone does things a little differently. I just share the way I do things. Here in Massachusetts, the big thing is the freeze / thaw cycles. the ground shifts a lot here during the winter months. So having clean crushed stone for good drainage and the strongest fabric while allowing water through is key in my opinion. Some situations call for additional measures but those things are typically noticed by those with experience and are learned by those trying it without experience...LOL The old trial and error approach. That is basically how I learned accompanied with advice from others in the trades.
Here is a video link to a video I made which goes into more detail of how and why I do use the base prep method that I use.👉ruclips.net/video/aSoi3EI__Rc/видео.html
Hope it helps!✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper yes, thank you.
Hi Kyle, I just found your channel couple weeks ago and have been watching your videos daily. We would like to remove the galvanized window well and put a nice retaining wall instead. Do you recommend the Techo-Bloc Semma for window well? We live in Washington DC area. On Techo-Bloc catalog I see many options for wall, have you used other style like Mini Creta. I only see you use the Semma. Is it because Mini Creta has too many sizes and harder to install? On top of the window well, we also want to build a fire pit and seating wall so would like to know if Mini Creta or Semma is better.
Thanks!
They make tech bloc in Waterloo Indiana. Only an hour away from me. They don’t sell to the public. Have to order from a dealer. Which is completely bogus. Half the dealers in my location don’t sell those style of techo bloc.
Man, what a very weird situation... Surprising really, because that (Semma) wall block is one of their biggest wall block sellers around here. I would think the dealers in that area would have plenty of it laying around. Good luck finding it ✌
I was wondering about the retaining wall block. You used a few that don’t have fill areas. Why is that?
They give you 2 solid blocks per tier on the pallet. They are used for splitting and making corners. They are also helpful with starting and ending rows where they step up. Gives the transition a little more stability. ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper
Oh okay. That’s cool.
On a separate note, and I may have missed it while jumping around your videos. Do you fill in between your stone walkways?
@@travisandtracyjacobs6198 Yes, we use (Polymeric Sand). Here is a video on how we install it 👉ruclips.net/video/TXWJyBnVQ_g/видео.html
@@TheChristianHardscaper
Thank u
Looks fabulous!!
Looks great! Do you get good adhesion with the glue even when the blocks are damp? We don't use geotextile behind our walls unless an engineered wall design calls for it. If the silt plugs the gravel in the drain zone it will certainly plug up the small holes in the geotextile. It will act like a damn and still push a wall over as you described. We are in the PNW though too and don't get a lot of hard freezes.
Thank you and yes, the glue still works with damp block. It is harder to apply it to the block from the gun but it will set good still. And I know that is a big debate on fabric behind the stone but I can never understand how people thing the drainage stone will stay clean with no fabric. All the silt filling the drainage stone is a way worse situation because that prevents water from draining which is exactly what causes walls to fail in cold climates because the material stay wet and expands when it freezes which is what pushes a wall over. The only way a wall will fail with fabric and water pushing on it is in an extreme situation where the designer did not account for it. Some walls have far more water concerns than others. This situation does not have water issues to begin with, so they will have much less chance for water issues now. The timber walls they had before had no drainage stone behind them and still stood strong for 20+ years because of the sandy / gravel sub soil they have which absorbs very well. In a heavy clay situation, the build would have required different methods. Building walls is not a one size fits all. ✌
When you bring the woven geotextile upward to ensure the 3/4 stays clean, would it not also limit the drainage and cause increase lateral pressure on the wall?
can hedge against this by using non-woven against the 3/4, but obviously now you need two types of geofabric
@@forced_youtube_handle my thought exactly
The woven geotextile will not restrict drainage at all, too many people think that.... I have been using geotextile under and up the sides of every walkway, patio, wall, steps, etc... for the past 5 years. Hundreds of installs with absolutely no drainage issues. In this situation, and the majority of wall installs, the surface water will run over the wall and down the front while some of it will find the drainage stone and go down / through the wall blocks. Any water behind the geotextile in the soil will just naturally permeate down through the soil itself. ( if you look back in the video at the part where it was raining like crazy 29:46, there was water built up on top of the soil / geo textile. The next morning in the video 31:05, you can see that all that water drained with no problem whatsoever.) It is far more likely for a wall to fail because of no fabric / weak fabric. Every failed wall I have pulled down to replace had either no fabric or broken down non-woven fabric. Non-Woven fabric does allow water to drain better but it also breaks down much quicker which allows dirt particles to slowly migrate into the stone years before geotextile would ever even think about breaking down... So I understand the concern you are bringing up but it is absolutely no concern in my opinion, you want nice, strong fabric to separate the soil / stone. ✌
@@TheChristianHardscaper thanks for the detailed reply!
@@TheChristianHardscaperReally enjoy your videos. I am confused on the use of fabric though; On the Dirt Monkey YT channel, Stan says to never use fabric behind the wall. Both of you seem to know what you’re talking about, hence, the confusion. Is he wrong? I just want to make sure to do it right.
Out of curiosity, what is your per face ft. Minimum charge for installing techo bloc where you are? Stuff is a bit more here in southern idaho than mutual materials and belgarde which i charge 35-45 for on average here
Another fantastic video. Very informative, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it, my pleasure!
What kind of rock are you using?
3/4" clean crushed stone (Open Grade Base) it is also known as (#57 stone)
why do you measure the depth using a level off the grass?
I don't excavate walls in a (bench) style. Meaning the base under the courses slowly slopes instead of being level. the closer you get to the step up, the base stone looses a bit of depth. So with that excavation style, I just need to makes sure I am a 10-12" below the grade. You can find that measurement by simply using the level to go over the trench at any point along the excavation.
Yeah watermelon!! No cantaloupe on a hot day! CHS your videos are great.
😂 He found out the hard way for sure...
Good stuff. Subbed!
Hello, I am building my first retaining wall ever. When building my first row I realized that the top side of the blocks are not perfectly leveled. They have tiny bumps or concrete imperfections. This is making the job difficult to level multiple blocks with each other. How do you make the top side of the blocks smooth and levelled without bumps? (Thanks in advance and for the videos.)
I would like to know if you use landscape design software and if so which one.
This was answered in the comments below. Sorry
No problem ✌
How do you come up with your more involved hardscapes?Do you use a computer program to design your hardscapes?
I do not use any computer software, I will typically explain the plan to my customers along with pictures of previous jobs that relate. But honestly, the designs and plans are all in my head. I can see and layout 90% of my installs with very little (Drawn up plans)
I see you used 3/4 stone why do most people use sand or paver base? Looks clean!
Most people who use sand or paver base to build walls is because they never learned the correct way...LOL 3/4 clean stone is necessary under and behind a wall for drainage and to prevent frost heaving / wash out. If you lay blocks on sand or gravel, it will most likely sink / shift in just a couple years (in a freeze / thaw climate).... ✌
Did you do any plowing this weekend?
Sure did! It was a beautiful thing LOL ✌
An amazing job. Thanks
Thank you ✌
Anyone put an electric outlet in a Semma block? Will need one for a pellet grill....
I haven't but it can certainly be done ✌
I love it,
Watching you guys doing great job
Glad you enjoy it!
Hi Kyle
Was the new skid steer the focal point of your Christmas cards this year? 🤣
🤣 You know it! LOL Now I really want to see a Christmas card in the exact shape of a skid steer..... 🤣✌
You must get this a lot but your likeness finally hit me while watching this... Ben Affleck, Chuckie Sullivan in Good Will Hunting. 🤣
Love ❤️ your wonderful job mate from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺🏁🎖
Thank you very much! ✌
I don't know but it looks like that yard doesn't need a retaining wall. It looks like 1 tp 2 feet hill?
It doesn't necessarily need a wall but by building a 1-2 foot wall, we can create a raised flower bed and it will also serve as a very long sitting wall for company to hang out on. Not to mention it would really dress up the property nicely 👌 ✌
So... I hear you love your machine? lol project looks good!
Where did you hear that from...? 🤣 I'm loving it brother, Happy New Year! ✌
You must not have had the good sweet cantaloupe 😂 That's just as good as watermelon on a hot day 😋 🤤 I miss both of them ( and the other good summer fruit ) already....
🤣 It must not have been to good stuff LOL. I don't think Ben will ever try it again... 🤣 ✌
I'm a huge fan -However, you can't convince me the end blocks won't be washed out in a season. Too much water coming off the driveway and no path for it to go any where. Just my 2 cents.
I understand your concern but I disagree. The water will flow right over the wall when the grass is established and the remainder will permeate behind and through the wall.
I wouldn’t run woven geo textile behind a wall. Will inhibit water moving through and essentially allow for pressure behind the wall. If we ever use a fabric it would be woven. However we are almost completely in clay soil so we don’t use fabric behind our walls. We use 3’ of clean stone. Our theory is fabric is going to clog before all that clean stone.
The woven geotextile will not restrict drainage at all, too many people think that.... I have been using geotextile under and up the sides of every walkway, patio, wall, steps, etc... for the past 5 years. Hundreds of installs with absolutely no drainage issues. In this situation, and the majority of wall installs, the surface water will run over the wall and down the front while some of it will find the drainage stone and go down / through the wall blocks. Any water behind the geotextile in the soil will just naturally permeate down through the soil itself. ( if you look back in the video at the part where it was raining like crazy 29:46, there was water built up on top of the soil / geo textile. The next morning in the video 31:05, you can see that all that water drained with no problem whatsoever.) It is far more likely for a wall to fail because of no fabric / weak fabric. Every failed wall I have pulled down to replace had either no fabric or broken down non-woven fabric. Non-Woven fabric does allow water to drain better but it also breaks down much quicker which allows dirt particles to slowly migrate into the stone years before geotextile would ever even think about breaking down... So I understand the concern you are bringing up but it is absolutely no concern in my opinion, you want nice, strong fabric to separate the soil / stone. Especially with clay sub soil, that is when it is extremely important to use heavy duty fabric... You may need to add drainage tile in heavy clay situations but the fabric is key.
Nicer if homeowner installs lights to the cap.
Under cap lights are very nice, but not cheap...
😁💪🏼👌🏼 buen trabajo
I hate water mellon cantaloupe. Kiwi and any other melon. Although my fav candy is water mellon sour patch kids. But u and benny can have all that ish while im eating straw berrys and drinking apple cider while eating sour patch kids, just tell benny to bring the ciggys cuz im out. Im jk my guy best wishes 2024. Still wana do a colab one day
Watermelon is the only (melon) type of fruit I like, cantaloupe / kiwi, etc. is no good... but watermelon sour patch kids are excellent! And Benny will have the ciggys no doubt! 🤣 Happy New Year to you also and I hope it brings plenty of success. A colab would be awesome some day. ✌
Que pasa muchachos
🤣 ✌
A skid steer is a bad thing to have it churns the ground up, it is something cowboys use
Worst thing I ever see .....u guys better be doing maintenance 😂😂😂
If that's the worst thing you have ever seen, then you need to get out of your house more.... 🤣 Thanks for your wonderful input! ✌
Why would you run geogrid on your first course? It isn't even required under 2' tall walls
Geo grid will serve it's purpose no matter what row you put it on. It may not be required on a small wall but it still helps without a doubt. I just wanted to add it to the 1st row to help stabilize the backfill stone ✌
Us pipe for radios