The material used to fill the excavated area behind the wall. This can sometimes be the original excavated soil. We recommend using 3/4" (19.1mm) minus aggregate with no fines as your backfill material.

The area in which you will lay your first course of block. We suggest using 3/4" (19.1mm) minus aggregate with fines as your base material.

To prepare your base complete the following steps: Lay 6" (152.4mm) of compactable aggregate (sand and gravel) in the bottom of the trench and compact. We recommend using 3/4" (19.1mm) minus aggregate with fines as your base material and the use of a hand tamper to compact.

The very first row of blocks installed on the prepared base.

Always bury the first course: After you've spent time compacting the base, bury and level the first course. This will help assure a long-lasting, beautiful wall.

Compressing or densifying the soil material used for the base and backfill is called compacting. For best results, use a hand tamper to compact.

A course is the horizontal layers of blocks used to build a wall.

Drainage aggregate is important for wall stability because it allows water to drain down past the wall instead of being absorbed in the soil and building up pressure behind the wall. We recommend aggregate be placed directly behind the blocks and acceptable native (original) soil being used for the remaining void.

This refers to the ground level.

There are two types of retaining walls, gravity and reinforced. Gravity walls are typically 2-3 feet (.6m-.9m) high and recommended for do-it-yourselfers. A gravity walls basically stands on its own, with the help of some basic steps, due to the weight of the blocks themselves and the compacted soil behind the wall. See the chart below to find out how high to build your gravity wall.

Highland Stone: 3 1/2 feet (1.1m) or 8 courses of block, which includes a buried base course.

Diamond: 3 1/2 feet (1.1m) or 8 courses of block, which includes a buried base course.

Meadow Stone: 20 inches (508mm), or 6 courses of block, which includes a buried base course.

Windsor: 20 inches (508mm), or 6 courses of block, which includes a buried base course.

Border Stone: 12 inches (.3m), or four courses, which includes a buried base course.

Sahara: 20 inches (508mm), or 6 courses of block, which includes a buried base course.

This refers to a staggered vertical alignment used to create a consistent pattern and add to your wall stability. The wall in fig. A is on bond. This is how you want your wall to look. The wall in fig. B is off bond.

A block that has been split to keep a course of block on bond. To split a block, use a hammer and chisel to score the block on all sides. Pound the chisel along the score line until the block splits. If the block does not split easily, you may need to use a circular cut-off saw with a masonry blade. Read and understand the operating manual before using the saw. Always wear eye protection when splitting blocks. Partial blocks should always be adhered with a concrete adhesive.

Walls placed in a multi-level arrangement.

If the lower wall is "H", the height of the upper wall should be less than or equal to H. And, the upper wall must be built at a distance away from the lower wall of at least 2 H. For example, if the lower wall is 2 feet high (.6m), the upper wall must be no higher than 2 feet (.6m), and built at least 4 feet (1.2m) behind it.

More questions? You can contact us at: Anchor Wall Systems 5959 Baker Road, Suite 390, Minnetonka, MN 55345 1-877-295-5415