How NOT to Build a retaining wall. RED FLAGS, common mistakes, bad designs pt1
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- Опубликовано: 10 июн 2018
- We start this 2 part series on How to build a retaining wall by covering the most common problems. From avoiding filter fabric, to bad base & using the wrong block. Plus Using the right drainage & understanding geogrid. Get these down and you'll have an awesome project that will last longer than you.
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Развлечения
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.
Awesome Kurt, thank you !
No problem. I mean it. Great videos.
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
@@gmaster716 ruh roh, dont think he will agree after watching the first 5 mins
@@joeebanks646 im not sure what you mean?? I am right the wall was installed wrong
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.
Thanks- I try to make it interesting. appreciate that!
So your RUclips certified Richard
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.
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
I really appreciate the comments Mark, thank you !
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
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.
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.🙂
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.
Right on happy to help brother! God Bless & go get em 👊
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.
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.
Thank you and hope it helps you out!
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.
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.
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.
Yes! I LOVE knowing why, not just how. That's what makes you unique.
Thanks Matthew!
Your explanations are just the way I like them: complete. Keep ‘em coming!
This is possibly the best video on RUclips. Actually in depth about how and why, and why not, with a couple of jokes, but 99% just proper information. Absolutely awesome. Thank you!
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.
I appreciate that, thank you Robert !
*"the only time you need fabric is if your going to be building underwater"*
Me: hahahahahahaha good one
*"which I've done"*
Me: oh
This was extremely informative. Thank you for taking the time to share all of your tips, skills, and experience. Very helpful
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.
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.
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
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 🌵
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!!!
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.
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!
I appreciate that Paul, thank you !!
Thank you very much for taking the time to make all of the "why" and "how" videos that you do. You are one of the few on RUclips that actually does this. Most just take a camera and follow themselves around all day griping about life and everything else under the sun, and offer very little value to the watcher. You actually keep it positive and educational. Thanks again. The more of these types of videos, the better. Happy holidays to you!!
Wow thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy them and thanks for watching 😀👍
I loved the details you gave here. It is great for consumers and contractors to know the options available so everyone, both clients and contractors, can make informed decisions when choosing options for retaining walls and knowing it has been done right. Keep this kind of content coming.
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.
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.
Thank you Abraham , hope your business is going well
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.
Great video! Yes, I love the videos that get into the details. Getting ready to start a major retaining wall project at our house. Going to do 2 that are 50 ft. long by 5 ft. high. When it's done it will give us a nice 50 x 14 patio instead of a hillside. I'm a Highway Superintendent in NE Ohio and after watching a few of your retaining wall videos I know that I can do this myself and save thousands! Thanks Stan!!!
Thank you for answering so many questions I did not the enough knowledge to ask. I would have filled the core blocks with concrete and my wall would have failed. This level of information is exactly what I want.
Looking forward to learning more.
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.
Thanks Michael, glad that the videos have helped you out a little !
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.
I agree mine are built the same way, and mine never fail.
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.
Great video. There's a lot of useful information in there. I like that you don't only give the how to, but the why as well.
You answered several questions that I didn't even think to ask. Thanks so much for preparing me for a project I wasn't looking forward to before this.
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!
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.
I really appreciate that and thank you for all the support!
well made and explained
thanks it was a recommendation looking in to building below grade and trying to figure drainage ,back-fill etc
thanks
Thank you for taking time to make this. Thank your crew too
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.
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.
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 RUclips 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!
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.
@@charlesmiller5078 try putting that much trust in Jesus :P
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?
Ya it's a fox what's stranger is that they have the same hair
@@RGK147 🤣🦊🧔
Stanley your videos are amazing! Many of us could hire you to do this, but we love the therapy and stress relief of manual labor and a job well done. Thank you for sharing your expertise so we can all make the world a better looking and structural better place.
The details are helping a lot to make your own decision based on background knowledge given by you and your team. Thanks and keep "detailing"
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!
Thank you and best of luck with your projects!
I love how the eyelash discussion totally backfired haha Too many RUclips videos try to be perfect. This was a funny way of showing good camaraderie. Good stuff guys. And great information. Thanks for the video!
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!
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.
I was about to make half of these mistakes. This video probably saved me $5000
And I was about to make the other half, and maybe many more
'Actual' smart guys who are doing good work AND having clean fun on the job.
I really appreciate your videos, I’m currently fixing a bad retaining wall and your information has made my job so much easier , it’s like night n day so thank you n keep them coming
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 ....
I love videos like this. The more detail the better. Twenty years ago I knew instinctively that fabric behind a wall was a bad idea. They used to 'teach' this method. I never did. No failures or call backs. I don't do it much anymore but I finally feel vindicated even though I knew I was right at the time.
GREAT SHOW.
I'm glad you like the video Jim, thanks !
Yes !!! I very much appreciate the in depth details , I learned more about retaining walls in 28 minutes ,than I have in my 20 years as a carpenter. I too have been building my retaining walls wrong. And I now know why the wall at my parents house is leaning, THE VERTICAL FABRIC !!!!
Thank you again.
Thank you, really appreciate that and glad the video helped you out !
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.
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.
More to come, thanks !!
I've been looking for this level of detail for a while now. Thank you!
You're welcome Ben , thank you !
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!!
Versa block!
learned a lot from these videos. Just specified a 6' retaining wall, it helped me understand the process. Thanks!
I'm not a handy man, but I'm in the process of purchasing my first home. This is super resourceful and helpful. I'm sure I can utilize these concepts / foundation on building a retaining wall for a garden in front of the home. Definitely not going to cheap out on the blocks, when it comes to making the decision on my budget for a project. Thanks! Looking forward to checking out more of your videos.
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
Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching Joseph !
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.
Thanks Rachael and I'm happy that the vids help you out!
Maybe get a condo
Yes Stan, keep up the educational videos please. My son & I are going to be doing a retaining wall & you're experience & tips are valuable. Thanks
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
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!
Glad you watched too, thank you and hope your wall turns out awesome!
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! ;)
Bring on the detail. In depth explanations allow me to make better decisions when making the little decisions a builder always has to make when the situation does not match the plan exactly.
Thanks for a great video.
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.
Great information, thank you for taking the time of sowing detail by detail.
No problem, thanks for watching !
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.
Thanks so much J Dub, really appreciate you watching !
BEST education on retaining walls in my entire life!! Do I like these instructional videos? YES!
Like the detail. Its great when you have your guys talk and ask there opinion. You explain things well.
“I call this block.” 😂🤣😂 Great video. Thanks to your team.
Thank you David!
Yes!!! Do more videos like this. I really like Versa Lok. Thanks brother.
I LOVE topics like this. I feel like just finished a college coarse on retaining walls 101. Love it.
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.
Yes keep making videos, you showed me my screw up on a wall I tried few years ago
Thanks Scotty, will do !
We used hollow block but filled them with compacted a-gravel.
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.
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.
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!
Agreed 😂😂👍
yup
This is exactly what I didn't know, I needed to know. Bring it on!
Will do!
This video is super useful. I am getting ready to install six retaining walls at my house not sure what kind of block I need to use but now I have a good idea.
Really appreciate this channel I am a carpenter but run into a lot of these situations it’s nice to have a knowledge and I am grateful you guys take the time to Share it
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!
Oh and it would have been cool to see the final result of the job as well =) Maybe in an upcoming video?
Thanks Chris!
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.
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
Awesome Thanks Isaac!
We love the details. It helps us be better equipped to understand each projects needs.
Yes I’m wanting to get into retaining walls so this information is very good. Thank you.
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.
Couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing Ken, means a lot! And I'll keep that video in mind 👍
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.
Thanks so much Joshua, love to hear that you have learned from the videos !
Yes I've been thinking about starting my own business doing landscaping and many start doing this one day and you chanel has thought me so much
That was unspeakably helpful, keep it coming, you're saving people tons of money. Thank you.
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.
Thank you , glad you like them and thanks for watching !
Thanks for the knowledge on building a retaining wall, I'm needing to build about a150 ft one from 3.5 ft high to 5 ft.
Thanks Darrell and best of luck !
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!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all of the information! I’m beginning the process of building my own wall, and this is the first video I’ve seen describing common mistakes! It’s just as important to know what not to do, and this helped me so much!
You're welcome Hannah, thanks for watching and best of luck with your wall!
dude, thankyou for this. You the real MVP.
I really appreciate that, thank you
Thank you for the info I wish I had contractors like you in my area
Thanks , hope it helps you out !
Been a fan since around 2016.
Love these types of videos. I notice many "retaining walls" around here that are nearing failure. I have never done one yet, but I feel like with the right tools, equipment and your knowledge my team and I could complete one well.
By vocation I'm an electrical contractor in southern WV. I would love to start more businesses, such as this type of hardscaping, but quality workers are hard to find.
Anyway, thanks for the videos, keep them coming!
Thank you, great comments and I am glad to have you here watching, hope you can get your business going!
Great video! Although when I’ve seen walls being build with hollow blocks they were always filled with concrete, which is why I assumed they were hollow.