Patio and retaining wall installation

Use a compactable rock or sand behind the entire wall. This provides a fill that is less likely to settle over time. Choose a flooring option like concrete, pavers, brick or natural stones to fit the design and style of your landscape.

Once you have determined the location and design of your raised patio, stake out the location and use a string line or paint to mark out the area. A garden hose is an excellent tool for marking out curves. Then excavate the area by removing all the surface vegetation and organic materials from the area.

These cannot be used as backfill material. Like any other Allan Block retaining wall , your raised patio needs to have proper drainage. A drain pipe is used to prevent water pressure from building up behind the retaining wall.

Place the drain pipe at the back of the trench and vent to daylight at the lowest point. In addition to managing the water the drain pipe, you will need to manage the water flow around the house foundation if you are building against a house. To do this you will need to waterproof the foundation wall.

Check with your local building officials or with the material manufacturer on recommended installation of this waterproofing material. To begin building the retaining wall that will make up your raised patio, start by preparing the base. Once the walls of your raised patio have reached the proper height it is time to place in your patio flooring.

Depending on your choice of pavement, the final course of your wall may be backfilled differently. Check with the manufacturer of your patio flooring for proper installation instructions. Keep in mind, a slope in the patio surface is needed to allow water and runoff to drain away from the house foundation.

This will provide the balance and comfort for patio users, while still allowing for proper drainage. Now your beautiful raised patio can be finished off with with the AB Courtyard Collection by incorporating seating walls or even a pergola.

See the retaining wall installation guide to determine if your wall will require additional reinforcement. Raised Patios. How to Build A Raised Patio. How to Build a Raised Patio with Retaining Wall Blocks Once you have determined the location and design of your raised patio, stake out the location and use a string line or paint to mark out the area.

For larger projects you may also need a skid loader, compactor, wheelbarrow and a circular cut-off saw with a masonry blade. Contact us if you would like to have a copy of Installation Guidelines free of charge sent to you or for instructions on installing jumper units, free standing walls and special applications. How to Build a Bella Stone Interlocking Concrete Paver project A quick course on pavers Excavate the installation area to approximately 6" larger on all sides than the actual finished size.

Remove pipes and fill void with sand. Lay paving stones in the desired pattern. If the pattern requires cutting, the paving stones can be cut with a circular saw using a masonry blade. Compact the installed Bella Stone Pavers with a plate compactor in both directions with at least two passes. Once compacted, spread play sand on the paving stones and sweep into joints. Compact again to ensure that all joints are completely full.

Repeat as necessary. Sweep off remaining sand from paving stones. Substitute polymeric joint sand in place of play sand to inhibit weed growth between stones. Do it Myself Download our Coupon. Using a shovel or a skid loader, dig a trench about 24" wide and deep enough to fit the required amount of buried block and compacted base. For walls 4' high and under, bury one course of units.

For walls taller than 4', consult a design guide book for design information. Total wall height includes the height of any buried courses. Firmly compact the soil in the bottom of the trench. Lay 6" of compactable base sand and gravel in the bottom of the trench and compact. Place the first layer of Anchor units without lips on the prepared base lips must be manually knocked off units before placement. Backfill with free-draining aggregate.

Continue assembling additional courses by placing units in a staggered relationship to the course beneath , pulling each unit forward until secure NOTE: Use gravel free-draining aggregate to backfill each additional course as it is installed.