Using Concret To Level A Flat Stone Wall

Stone retaining wall tips.

Using concret to level a flat stone wall.

Using your stakes string and line level mark the height of the capstone. Even if you don t plan to sit on your wall 3 feet is about as high as i would recommend building any dry stacked wall. Although most long lasting stone walls are composed primarily of large flat stones that stack well you can build a stone wall with round stones as long as you mortar them together. You can leave the surfaces of the concrete rough.

Cast stone architectural precast and gfrc or light weight cast stone are an excellent choice for wall coping material. If necessary place a level on the sand to test whether or not everything is flat. You can build a stone wall with natural fieldstone that you have on your property provided the stones are flat enough for stacking. Remove broken pieces of slab brush off debris and use a level to ensure that the cement sections are flat and even.

Higher walls should be engineered for stability. After all your materials have been added slowly pull a hoe screed board or similar tool over the sand to make sure the top layer is entirely smooth with no bumps or waves. Tap the concrete with the flat side of the hoe. Wall coping pier caps hardscape.

Wall coping is the finish or crown for an exterior wall a fence eaves and other masonry items. This will ensure all the voids are filled and will also help to level the concrete. Whether you are dealing with fist sized stones pulled straight from the river or stone veneers that are shaved down into tile like thicknesses stone. The graceful curving lines of a stone wall evoke a sense of elegance and romance that few other man made structures can match.

Flat or cut stones are much easier to work with than fieldstone and will make a sturdier wall. Prepare the cement walkway for the flagstone. While it s recommended that you lay a 4 to 6 inch base layer of pea gravel or sand beneath your flagstone path do it yourselfers laying flagstone over cement generally skip this step. Once this step is complete you will be ready to add the pavers.

Every three or four feet lay a tie back stone flat long and heavy to provide additional stability. You ll also want to check the level of individual stones as you go. This will actually help you achieve a good bond with the mortar when you start building your stone wall. If you have to buy stone choose a flat stone such as flagstone or a cut stone like ashlar.

Begin building the wall by setting corner stones those with a 90 degree corner at either end of the wall and on both sides of the granite steps.