Building the Retaining Wall Landing/Steps
At 0:19 in
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What happens here
The video shows the construction of a multi-level landing or steps made from retaining wall blocks, positioned directly in front of a sliding glass door. The blocks are laid in courses, carefully leveled with spirit levels, and appear to be set on a prepared base similar to the patio. The goal is to create a flush and stable transition from the interior of the house to the exterior patio. The blocks are arranged to form a tiered structure, with a darker block border at the base, complementing the main patio. For a DIY approach, start by ensuring a compacted gravel base for the steps, then lay the first course of blocks, ensuring it is perfectly level. Subsequent courses are stacked, staggering joints for strength, and bonded with construction adhesive. Levels are used on each course to maintain accuracy.
Goal: Create a stable, level, and aesthetically pleasing landing and steps from the house to the patio.
Tools and materials
- Retaining Wall Blocks — Constructing the tiered landing and steps
- Rubber Mallet — Adjusting individual blocks for proper seating and alignment
- Shovel — Excavating for the base of the landing
- Spirit Level — Checking the level of each course of blocks
- Trowel — Applying construction adhesive between blocks
- Construction Adhesive — Bonding retaining wall blocks together for stability
- Crushed Stone/Gravel — Creating a stable and well-drained base for the steps
- Sand — Providing a thin leveling layer for the first course of blocks