Landscapers that try to build stuff...

flatbutt · 07-17-2021, 07:22 AM

I know this probably happens a lot but dang.

My neighbor just hired the son of their friend to help him get his landscaping business going. It's a small job installing those heavy red blocks as a two course garden wall.

Here's the rub (IMHO). There is a small slope, maybe 10 inches from top to bottom of the run which is about 15 feet. The installers are laying the bottom course to follow the slope.

I'd think that they should have laid the blocks in a stepwise(ish) fashion so that the finished wall is level.

Sure that requires digging down to get the course level but isn't that the way to do it, or is this wall too small/low to bother?

masraum · 07-17-2021, 07:28 AM

Yep, I think I can picture what you're talking about and yes, they should have made the bottom of the wall level. If/when they got to a spot that couldn't be level, then it needed to be stepped.

rwest · rwest's Garage

Human eyes like level, I would build it like you- dig down and step to slope, of course if you only have two layers of blocks, there isn’t much to step; maybe matching slope is the only way it would work?

Baz · Baz's Garage

Like the thread title implies....it's more construction than landscaping.

Takes a different approach.

Different planning.

Different preparation.

The common denominator would be the importance of pre-planning before work begins.

There are some who don't understand the significance of planning before work begins.

I never considered myself as a "landscaper" to be in the 'construction' industry, although technically that's where the law usually put us. I think building something is a whole other consideration. I'm usually not up to it - so struggle.

Baz · Baz's Garage

But to answer your question.....plenty of examples on the Internet to show how it's done (goes back to my comment on the importance of pre-planning):

I've always liked the concept of "sitting areas" throughout the garden. What a perfect opportunity when a wall is built! As long as you end up with something level!

dad911 · 07-17-2021, 08:23 AM

I've only seen 2 walls that were not layed level. One, across the front of the house, folllowed grade 3-4 block high and really bothered me. The other, 2 block +cap, follwed the driveway pitch and did not look bad(pic below). But the way the house sat you would never see it head-on.

If they are not making it level, they should follow a mason line and make it straight, like this:

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwest

. . . of course if you only have two layers of blocks, there isn’t much to step; maybe matching slope is the only way it would work?

This. One big step in 15 feet would look weird. Shoulda used thinner blocks and stepped it.

flatbutt · 07-17-2021, 08:49 AM

I thought I was just being a grumpy old man but I see that my sense of proper build aesthetics is not uncommon. Plus I am of the opinion that a wall build is more stable when level.

herr_oberst · 07-17-2021, 12:18 PM

Just as bad or worse than the walls done improperly are flatstone pavers used as sidewalks laid out onto the slope without leveling and stepping the base material. It just looks shoddy and temporary...

thor66 · 07-17-2021, 12:44 PM

not just aesthetics if they go very high...

drcoastline · 07-17-2021, 01:12 PM

It should be level. I would also think it should go down to the frost line to be done properly to prevent/slow settling.

thor66 · 07-17-2021, 01:32 PM

yup - there's codes for this - has to sit on crushed rock, get backfilled w/crushed rock, etc.

mattdavis11 · 07-17-2021, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thor66

yup - there's codes for this - has to sit on crushed rock, get backfilled w/crushed rock, etc.

What? Codes? Goodness gracious! I suppose you need permits too? Feck all that. You must live in a place that I wouldn't tolerate.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Ah codes......where would we be without codes!

mattdavis11 · 07-17-2021, 03:35 PM

It's small wall in someones yard! Lawdy! Stay off his lawn if you think it's dangerous.

dad911 · 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

What? Codes? Goodness gracious! I suppose you need permits too? Feck all that. You must live in a place that I wouldn't tolerate.

4' and higher needs permits and inspections around here.

2 block high (op) may move over time with frost here in NJ, but it's not a hazard.

Neighbor's wall fell down,(5-6' high) backfilled w/dirt, not stone, no drainage, and no geogrid. I watched them rent a skid-steer, and throw it back up, wrong again. After the 3rd or 4th try, maybe they will do it right.

More than 3' or so, most manufacturers spec a fabric/geogrid to retain the block. It should be backfilled in lifts.

Typical proper construction: