PMS Brick Pavers

Retaining Walls are often used to leval a yard or to prevent erosion on a hillside. In a flat yard, you can build a low retaining wall and fill in behind it to create a raised planting bed. Terraced retaining walls work well on steep hillsides. Two or more short retaining walls are easier to install and more stable than a single, tall retaining wall. Construct the terraces so each wall is no taller than three feet. While retaining walls can be built from many materials, including wood timbers and natural stones, interlocking concrete blocks have become a very popular choice. Typically made from concrete, retaining wall blocks are rather inexpensive, very durable, and easy to install. Several styles of interlocking block are available at building centers and at your local landscaping supply yard. Most types have a split-face finish that combines the rough texture of cut stone with the uniform shape and size of concrete blocks. Some have cast flanges or tongue and grooves to create a locking system that holds the retaining wall together. Other types do not interlock, but have flat surfaces that need to be bonded with landscaping stone adhesive. Some older styles relied on nylon pins that fit into cast holes in the blocks to add strength and assist in alignment. This type of system is rarely used today. Interlocking wall blocks can weigh up to 80 lbs. each, so its a good idea to have helpers when building a retaining wall. [Read more…]