How to Build a Retaining Wall in the San Francisco Bay Area

THE FUNNY THING ABOUT BUILDING A RETAINING WALL

Remember retaining walls have to be strong enough to hold back the soil behind them. How to build a retaining wall depends upon many factors. Will the retaining wall have to support a heavy vehicle? a building? or just leveling out the yard?

In some parts of California frost must also be addressed when building a retaining wall.

Building a retaining wall is simple in theory. Of course there are some things one should consider.

1. Do I have the right tools? (YOU WILL NEED MORE THEN A SHOVEL)

2. Are my friends and family really going to help? ( PLEASE READ THIS PART TWICE)

3. If I don’t finish in a timely matter will I be sleeping on the couch? (PLEASE READ THIS PART 3 TIMES)

4. Am I really saving money? (DOING THIS OVER FIVE WEEKENDS MIGHT NOT BE AS A GOOD OF AN IDEAL AS YOU THINK ESPECIALLY IF WIFE IS HOME ALL THE TIME)

5. How tall will the wall be? (Are you sure you can still handle it…We’re just asking)

6. Will I need an engineer?

7. Do I need a permit (It’s hard enough dealing with the permit office as a contractor…be sure to bring coffee and donuts for the entire staff)

We at All Access Construction believe in you saving money and if you can honestly answer the questions above, then go ahead and break out the gloves and the old boots. Make sure they are steel toed though. Some blocks weigh over 70 lbs. (ouch!!! kids might be reading this so I couldn’t put the “REAL WORDS” we would normally put but you get it. You know that feeling when you hit your pinkie toe on the bed frame? Well ten times worse). Trust us it happens!

Here are some things you will need!!!

1. A couple of Shovel’s: both round and square (watch your toes)
2. A couple wheel barrows (be sure to stretch. If you don’t, make sure you have an ice pack ready)
3. Concrete Saw at least 12 inches (Please wear your safety glasses, unless you have good health insurance. (It still will hurt though)).
4. A Level : 2 footer and 6 footer
5. Snap line (This is use to make sure your footing is straight, *please don’t try to “EYE” it)
6. A Strong Back

7.Your friends that promised they were going to help. ( ohh!!! they forgot they had “family time” this weekend)

8.Maybe a bobcat (Please make sure no one is in the way if it’s your first time driving one)

9. Drain rock, Base rock (This is where the friends that forgot they had “family time” this weekend were supposed to come in)

10.A place to take the extra dirt (Trust us it never all goes back)

Plan your retaining wall project accordingly . There is much to consider before beginning construction of a retaining wall. This mortar less system requires no concrete, grout, or pins to hold it together. Here are some other things to take into consideration with your retaining wall: lot lines, utilities, building permits, soil types, cut vs. fill,  site plan, water management and drainage, and site access.