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Building a Mortared Stone Retaining Wall

A stone wall does more than divide a garden or mark boundaries...it lends beauty and romance to a backyard. It has an aura of permanence which gives a timeless quality to even the newest landscaping. To achieve this permanence, we have to do a tremendous amount of work which is never seen. If done right, the wall will withstand both the weather and the test of time.

A mortar wall must be built on a firm foundation or it's joints will crack. For the Ballman home, we were asked to complete a wall which was started two years earlier and never completed. We began this project by digging a trench 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep to accomodate a 3-foot-high wall. We placed a 4 inch layer gravel in the bottom of the trench (being sure to tamp it in place thoroughly) before applying a 6 inch layer of concrete and setting rebar for additional support. We topped off the concrete 2 inches below grade. This "footing" was allowed to cure for 48 hours before beginning the work of laying stone and mortar.

We set the first course in a 1-inch bed of mortar which was applied to the concrete footing. We "dry-fit" each course of stone, then made a mortar bed and carefully layed the stone. Our goal was to provide uniform joint spacing while working the mortar. We used a mason's line to insure each row of stone was set at an equal height.

Rather than "rake" the joints to a prescribed depth, the owner wanted a uniform surface between stone and mortar. This was accomplished with the use of a stiff bristle brush. Any spilled or smeared mortar was cleaned as soon as possible using a wet sponge. After the mortar had dried, the wall as washed with plain water to avoid damage to the stone which often results from the use of acid solutions.

Then it was time to complete the structure by laying a topsoil fill and covering the surface with organic mulch.

The result was an addition to the Ballman backyard landscape that they will enjoy for many years to come!

 

All ready for the homeowner's green thumb! Glad you could visit our worksite. Stop by next week as we begin the installation of a micro irrigation system in Westlake. See you then!