Assess Retaining Wall and Plan for New Construction
At 0:17 in
Day one of this paver driveway. #pavers #paverpatio #hardscape
What happens here
The focus shifts to an existing retaining wall adjacent to the driveway, which is also slated for replacement. The narrator highlights a critical constraint: the wall's close proximity to mature arborvitae trees. The plan is to remove the old wall and construct a new one slightly further out, using "Unilock Siena Edge" blocks. These are described as large blocks, chosen to create a robust wall. The new placement will allow for some drainage stone and geotextile fabric behind the wall to manage water, although space is limited, reducing the need for extensive geo-grid reinforcement. The goal is to avoid disturbing the tree roots while ensuring the stability and longevity of the new wall.
Goal: Determine the scope of retaining wall replacement, select suitable materials, and plan for installation considering existing landscape elements.
Tools and materials
- Drainage Stone — To create a permeable layer behind the retaining wall, allowing water to drain and relieve hydrostatic pressure
- Geotextile Fabric — To separate the drainage stone from the surrounding soil, preventing soil migration and clogging the drainage system
- Shovel — To manually clear small amounts of soil for initial assessment around the wall base
- Unilock Siena Edge blocks Unilock — The primary building material for constructing the new, larger retaining wall