Torpedo Level
How to Build a Sturdy Retaining Wall
A retaining wall is a protective structure, first and foremost. It should be strongly built for steady support. But it can also serve as a decorative architectural element. It is this mix of beauty and functionality which any home addition should strive for.
While of course it is possible to hire a contractor to build something like this, there really is no reason as you can do this home project yourself and it will not take as long as you think and also it will save quite a few dollars when simple home additions are done on your own.
All one needs is a little drive and determination and make a plan and then stick to it. Before you know it your retaining wall will be built and you’ll be full of confidence looking for the next home project.
The first thing to do is excavate the area where we plan to put up the retaining wall. If the area is downhill, be sure to grade the soil. Drive stakes of wood into the slope and stretch across them a masonry twine.
For the base trench, dig a ditch on the higher side of the wall. Fill the ditch of our retaining wall with different colored stones and then level using a rake. Have the stones compacted together with the use of a tamper.
For the first course, we place the first base of concrete over the stones for our retaining wall. To make sure the concrete is even on all sides use a torpedo level. Continue putting concrete while leveling out stones. Wear safety gloves.
When cutting the initial block into halves (for stronger grip and vertical joints placeholders) do so with the block of each even-numbered row. Use a sledgehammer for the purpose along with a brick chisel. This is for a stronger retaining wall.
With the second course-after cutting the initial block of even-numbered rows-put the second row. Step back each block just a bit off to make sure we are making a slight backward slope to somewhat push the thing that needs support. This is what a retaining wall is for.
Then, as the wall rises, compress the earth behind it. As we fill the rear portion with earth reinforce the wall with concrete the higher it goes. Between the wall and the earth fill should be more cement mixes to increase retaining wall material strength.
For our final grading, the higher the wall goes the farther the slope is from the wall top. Fill the gap with crushed stones topped with earth. The fill level should be some inches below the wall top.
When building the retaining wall alone, opt for interlocking blocks. Take care to refill the ditch or trench right after the base or footing or foundation layer is done.
Retaining walls are best for keeping slopes like small hills or mounds beside our houses from landsliding. They’re perfect for garden landscaping and even for buttressing wall portions of our houses. Retaining wall concepts are also applied for chimney building.
Building a retaining wall helps keep our surrounding safe and supported. It keeps a steeply sloping terrain from collapsing.
About the Author
John Grant is a the author for a
how to
site where he is writing articles about
how to build a retaining wall
.
|
|
Stanle Torpedo Mini Level $0.99 |
|
|
Stanley – FatMax™ Torpedo Laser Level Kit 77-190 SP1X $0.99 |
|
|
Klein 9″ Torpedo Level $0.99 |
|
|
9″ Torpedo Level – Pocket Level – 180, 90 and 45 degree – New in Packaging $0.99 |
|
|
9″ Magnetic Torpedo Level – NEW $0.99 |
|
|
9″ Sand’s Craft Magnetic Welder’s Torpedo Level $1.00 |
|
|
CRAFTSMAN 9″ ALUMINUM TORPEDO PLUMB POCKET LEVEL 3983 – MADE IN USA U.S.A. $1.04 |
|
|
BRAND NEW 9″ TORPEDO LEVEL WHOLESALE,MANY AVAILABLE $1.30 |
|
|
STANLEY 42-294 Plastic Torpedo Level 8″ $1.50 |
|
|
9″ Yellow Torpedo Spirit Level Argos $1.55 |
|
|
New ATE 9″ Torpedo Level Professional #40072 $1.97 |
|
|
GREAT NECK TW7C Torpedo Level- (2544) $1.98 |
|
|
9″ TORPEDO LEVEL CHIL7402 $1.99 |
|
|
Johnson Composite 9″ Inch Torpedo Level – 3-Vial – V-Groove – Made in USA $1.99 |
|
|
9 INCH TORPEDO LEVEL $1.99 |
|
|
Johnson Level 9″ Magnetic Structo Cast Torpedo Level X7500MB $2.25 |
|
|
9″ ALUMINUM MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL TME#4721 $2.50 |
|
|
TORPEDO LEVEL 9″ Tool 3 Vials Level Plumb 45 Degree Woodworking Carpentry New I $2.54 |
|
|
Stanley Tools 42-294 8 Inch Torpedo Level $2.68 |
|
|
9″ TORPEDO LEVEL WITH 3-AXIS BUBBLE CAPSULES & MAGNET $2.85 |
|
|
9″ Magnetic Torpedo Level $2.90 |
|
|
NEW 9″MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL/BUBBLE/3 VIALS/45 DEGREE ! $2.97 |
|
|
Tool Cache 9″ Light-Weight Plastic TORPEDO LEVEL Vertical Horizontal & 45 Angle $2.99 |
|
|
Torpedo 9″ Level NEW $2.99 |
|
|
TOOL SHOP / 9″ MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL / BRAND NEW $2.99 |
|
|
MARS 25646 5″ POCKET TORPEDO LEVEL 94202 $3.00 |
|
|
Magnetic Torpedo Level New Angle finder Plumb Hang Gates Pictures Carry With You $3.97 |
|
|
New retracting tape measure 16′ foot/feet measuring+locking+3/4″wide+hand strap! $3.97 |
|
|
NewTS-102Duplex Jack CABLE PHONE861971SPLITTER/DIVIDER+TWO WAY+IN-LINE COUPLER ! $3.97 |
|
|
New8″SQUEEGEE & SCRUB SPONGE/SCRUBBER/WASHER-GLASS/WINDOW-CLEANER-AUTO-HOUSE++!! $3.97 |
|
|
U CHOOSE-NEW98feet30m.chalk/SNAP/STRING line reel+TOOL SETS+MULTI-FUNCTION KNIFE $3.97 |
|
|
NEW kitchen tools-u choose-DUAL ACTION TUNA&VEGGIE/CAN STRAINER/press+2sizes+jar $3.97 |
|
|
NEW Smart/easy/multi Jar/lid/bottle/can Opener/open kitchen hand-aid/tool/helper $3.97 |
|
|
NEW SET OF 6 BUNGEE CORDS TIES/TIE DOWNS+metal HOOKS 2ea.10+12+18inch+BLUE+GREEN $3.97 |
|
|
NEW65′FEET-twist tie/SPOOL built in wire cutter-garden-trash-etc.GREEN+CORD+TREE $3.97 |
|
|
New6outlet wall tap/plug power strip/block3swivel+ADAPTER-NO GROUND+receptacle+! $3.97 |
|
|
New METAL/ALUMINUM BELT-LOOP/KEY-CHAIN/BACKPACK SWIVEL CLIP/HOOK/HANGER-HIKING ! $3.97 |
|
|
NEW-12-SMALL-PRECISION metal SCREWDRIVER TOOL SET+CASE eyeglasses repair glasses $3.97 |
|
|
NEW-SHARPIE PERMANENT MARKER-BLACK+BLUE+BABY BLUE-COLORS-RETRACTABLE FINE POINT! $3.97 |
|
|
NEW12-IN-1-SCREWDRIVER TOOL SET+CASE+HEX/ALLEN WRENCH+LEVEL+KNIFE+BBQ LIGHTER+!! $3.97 |
|
|
Vintage Torpedo Level Made USA $3.99 |
|
|
NEW EMPIRE LASER TORPEDO LEVELING BASE AND TRIPOD ADAPTER 9705 $3.99 |
|
|
BARWALT TORPEDO LEVEL – 12″ YELLOW – NEW $3.99 |
|
|
LEVEL EMPIRE TORPEDO 3 WAY LEVEL w/ ALUMINUM FRAME Mod. 589-36 9 INCHES $3.99 |
|
|
ELB714 — 9″ Torpedo Level w/ Magnetic Strip & Top Read $3.99 |
|
|
TOOL BENCH 9″ TORPEDO LEVEL – 3 VIALS – BRAND NEW IN PACKAGE $3.99 |
|
|
EMPIRE TORPEDO LEVEL 9″ 589-36 NON MAGNETIC USA $3.99 |
|
|
Skywalker Signature Series Torpedo Level $3.99 |
|
|
TOOL BENCH PERCISION TORPEDO LEVEL- 9 INCH – 3 VIALS – NEW $3.99 |
|
|
torpedo level new $3.99 |
|
|
9″ torpedo level tool 3 vials vertical horizontal 45 degree angle $4.13 |
|
|
FREE SHIPPING**9″ MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL-NEW $4.19 |
|
|
Vintage Stanley No. 264 Torpedo Level. All three bubbles work $4.20 |
|
|
Vintage Empire Levels No. 26 Torpedo Level. All three bubbles work $4.20 |
|
|
Empire 9″ Polycast Torpedo Level Bubble Level SpendLess $4.25 |
|
|
Blue Spot 9″ Torpedo + Mini Level $4.55 |
|
|
9″PERFECT VISION PVTPLVL PLASTIC MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL $4.79 |
|
|
Level Site Bubble Magnetic Torpedo Level 9″ Level Pictures & More $4.89 |
|
|
STANLEY NO. 259 WOODEN TORPEDO LEVEL $4.95 |
|
|
Mayes 9″ Poly Magnetic Torpedo Level #10194 364088 $4.99 |
|
|
Menards Medium Duty Magnetic Torpedo Level Yellow 9 in. $4.99 |
|
|
NEW Empire Level 33-9 9″ Torpedo Level $4.99 |
|
|
ELB714 — 9″ Torpedo Level w/ Magnetic Strip & Top Read $4.99 |
|
|
9″ MAGNETIC TORPEDO LEVEL NEW YELLOW TOOL $4.99 |
|
|
9″ Plastic Torpedo Level by Great Neck 10194 $4.99 |
|
|
Stanley No. 264 Torpedo Level tool $5.00 |
|
|
Stanley No. 264 Torpedo Level tool $5.00 |
|
|
9 ” INCH LEVEL $5.00 |
|
|
TORPEDO LEVEL $5.00 |
|
|
Mayes Magnetic Torpedo Level, 9in. Regular Duty $5.00 |
|
|
Anchor Magnetic Torpedo Levels -brand 9″ magneticaluminum torpedo level A581-9 $5.22 |
|
|
Level Site Bubble Magnetic Torpedo Level 9″ Level Pictures & More $5.30 |
|
|
BRAND NEW TORPEDO LEVEL DIE- CAST ALUMINIUM 225mm, 45°, 90° 180° BUILDING $5.32 |
|
|
1PC 9″ TORPEDO LEVEL WITH MAGNETIC STRIP 4 VIALS F SHIP $5.35 |
|
|
Level 9 inch torpedo $5.62 |
|
|
NEW JOHNSON LEVEL 9″ STRUCTO-CAST TORPEDO LEVEL $5.79 |
|
|
9″ Aluminum Magnetic Torpedo Level $5.85 |
|
|
Mini Torpedo Level 9″,Hi Visibilty Yellow 3 Vial, plumb Tool with Line Level $5.89 |
|
|
STANLEY TORPEDO LEVEL WITH ORIGINAL BOX $5.95 |
|
|
9″ Magnetic Torpedo Level $5.95 |
|
|
9 INCH TORPEDO LEVEL WITH MAGNET $5.99 |
|
|
16″ LASERMARK TORPEDO LASER LEVEL $5.99 |
|
|
GREAT NECK 9″ Torpedo Level 17509 $5.99 |
|
|
Magnetic Aluminum Torpedo Level 9″ FindingKing $5.99 |
|
|
NEW Empire Level 331-9 9″ Magnetic Torpedo Level $5.99 |
|
|
STANLEY (42-294) / 8-INCH TORPEDO LEVEL / BRAND NEW IN FACTORY SEALED PACKAGE $5.99 |
|
|
1954 EMPIRE ALUMINUM 9″ TORPEDO POCKET LEVEL AD TOOL $5.99 |
|
|
New Pro’s Kit 9″ Torpedo Level 3 Vials Magnet $5.99 |
|
|
TEKTON 71142 Mini Level Set, 5-Piece -Torpedo,Line, Bulls Eye, T, And Pocket $5.99 |
|
|
Empire Laser Torpedo Leveling Base 9705 $6.00 |
|
|
Magnetic Shock Resistant Torpedo Level Model No. 43-511 $6.25 |
|
|
NEW Irwin 1794159 9-Inch #50 Magnetic Torpedo Level $6.49 |
|
|
BRAND NEW 9″ TORPEDO LEVEL WHOLESALE,MANY AVAILABLE, FREE SHIPPING !!!!! $6.50 |
|
|
9″ Torpedo Level by Stanley Tools 42-191 $6.56 |
|
|
Silverline 656571 225 mm Aluminium Torpedo Level $6.60 |
|
|
NEW Torpedo Levels – 9″ magnetic torpedo level 5819 $6.69 |
|
|
Mayes Torpedo Level 10198 $6.78 |
|
|
Stanley 42-264 9-Inch Top Read Torpedo Magnetic Level NEW $6.80 |
|
|
9″ Torpedo Level Magnetic Strip Aluminum Magnet Conduit Plumb Line Square Tool $6.84 |
|
|
QTY 3 NEW Ultra Magnetic 8 IN Torpedo Level Hand Tool $6.95 |
