How To Build A River Rock Wall With Mortar: Step By Step Process Of Building A River Rock Retaining Wall


Step By Step Process Of Building A River Rock Retaining Wall With Mortar

A river rock retaining wall will add aesthetic appeal to any landscape and will also help determine property lines. Building a wall is an uphill task, however, once you build a wall, it is guaranteed that the results will be a structure which will last for generations. Dry stone walls are well organized stacked rock structures that can be damaged by people, animals as well as weather conditions. Inconsiderably more work to build, a mortared rock wall will stand for so many years or even centuries.

Step 1: Dig The Area For Foundation Of Rock Wall

First of all, break up the area for the foundation of your rock wall with the help of your shovel. The trench should be deeper in comparison to the frost line and nearly 2 feet wider as compared to the wall. Rake the underside of the foundation hole as long as it is smooth. Use the plate compactor in order to tamp the soil until firm.

Step 2: Line The Trench With Landscape Fabric

Now, line the trench with landscape fabric, but make sure to overlap the fabric at the seams. Position a 6-inch layer of small rocks on top of the fabric and tamp it with the help of plate compactor. Add more rock and as long as the footing layer is 6 inches lower than the grade level.

Step 3: Mix Mortar With Sand & Portland Cement

Next, take a wheelbarrow & mix the mortar with 3 parts sand and 1 part Portland cement. You need to use 5 to 6 quarts of water if you have a 50-pound bag of Portland cement, and make sure not to use too much water. Pour water in the wheelbarrow before combining it with the cement and sand mixture. Stir the mixture and add water slowly as long as the mortar is a pliable thick paste. You need to stick it to the trowel when you are turning it upside down, not drip off. Air temperatures as well as humidity can have a huge impact on the thickness of the mix. The mortar package instructions will give you a suitable amount of water to use, however, be careful to find the right consistency as you are stirring in water.

Step 4: Pour The Mortar Over The Rock Foundation

Pour the mortar over the rock foundation before allowing it to harden for a minimum of one day. Position a stake at each end of the foundation's trench before running a mason's line betwixt them. Choose the largest stones for the retaining wall base. Position your first stone at one end hardly touching the mason's line. Put down your next stone snugly beside the first stone and continue as long as the wall's base line is laid.

Step 5: Wet The Rocks & Apply The Mortar

Wet the rocks & then apply the mortar before letting the mortar to stick better. Trowel mortar betwixt the base rocks. Use wet rags in order wipe off any excess mortar. Add extra stones one at a time with the flattest side positioning up. Trowel nearly a half-inch of mortar on top of each rock. Use a mallet in order to tap the rocks deep into the wet mortar. Remove, chisel as well as reapply any rocks that can't fit easily.

Step 6: Apply Mortar To Seal In The Top Stones

Select flat rocks having flat on one side that are top stones. Position the top stones as the last layer of rock, but it is important to make the top of the wall as flat as possible. Apply mortar when it comes to sealing in the top stones. Remove any excess mortar from the rocks before cleaning your tools thoroughly using water & then the mortar can harden.
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