There s no doubt about it stone wall construction in winter is a challenge.
Retaining wall mortared stone.
Building a retaining wall is suitable for diyers as long as the wall is a maximum of 3 feet tall in most areas.
If your wall is 2 feet high 1 1 2 feet wide and 20 feet long you ll need roughly 60 cubic feet of stone.
The basic parts of a mortared stone wall.
Type s is the common choice for many below grade applications such as masonry foundations manholes retaining walls and sewers as well as at grade projects like brick patios and walkways.
Most stoneyards will deliver the stones for a slight charge.
Components can vary for other types of retaining walls.
Adding mortar makes your wall stable and takes the worry away.
Stone walls also look better with age.
Anything taller should be handled by professionals.
Prepare the footing photo by russell kaye.
How to build a seating wall classy slate tops off this stone wall with concealed mortar holding everything together for outdoor seating everyone can get comfortable with.
Many codes require the use of reinforcing rod.
Dig a trench that s below the frost line and 2 feet wider than.
Although type s mortar must have a minimum compressive strength of 1 800 psi it is often mixed for strengths between 2 300 and 3 000 psi.
And like most challenges it s very rewarding when completed.
The easiest way to build a stone retaining wall is to use the dry stack method that requires no mortar between stones and does not need a concrete footing like mortared walls do.
Ask a stone yard to help determine how much material you ll need and have it delivered as close to the site as possible.
Check before you build.
They can be stacked without mortar but this requires stacking them just so.
Mortared stone walls need a concrete footing to keep them from cracking due to frost heave.
To figure out how much stone you ll need multiply your wall s height times the depth times the length.
Plan ahead and keep the mortar warm.
Because a mortared wall is generally heavier than a dry set wall of the the same size local building codes often dictate specifications that affect the footings for mortared walls.
Stone wall construction.
If you remember my two most important tips for building a mortared stone wall in winter you ll be fine.
Whether you re looking to build a wall for a raised garden or a small retaining wall a stacked stone wall can offer elegance without a lot of expense.
A stone wall can give your garden timeless appeal.
Once built you ll have a rock solid retaining wall without all the heavy mortar lines.
Keeps water from collecting behind the wall filter fabric.
How to build a rock wall 1.
A dry stack stone retaining wall not only holds back the earth it adds beauty to a landscape.
Spaced every 6 to 8 feet it lets water drain through the wall base.
