What do I need to do for a short 200 mm high retaining wall?

[SuJay]

I wish to level out part of my front garden and will need a small retaining wall/edging to do this.  I want to use Brighton Masonry Eziwall block 295 x 180 x 100 to a length between 3 & 4 metres by 200 mm high (so, height of 2 blocks).

Should I use a base, or can I just level out the soil and place them directly on that?  Will this need drainage and if so, what will I need?

I have searched this site, but can't find anything really close to what I'm looking to do.

Thank you, Su

[EricL]

Hello @SuJay 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a short retaining wall.

For a long term and safe installation, I suggest installing a base for the retaining wall. In this manner should you decide to make it taller in the future the base will be ready, and you won't have to start from scratch or dig deeper. The guide below will show you how to install the masonry block, because it is very low drainage can be accomplished using scoria or loose gravel.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to lay Ezi Wall

Let me call on our experienced member @Dave-1 for his recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good morning @SuJay 

If you can, a picture would help out in our answers

I would always use a base, at the very least a compacted earth base, in your case a compacted road base, maybe 80mm thick. I am not sure what you are retianing soil wise (hence the photo would make it easier) Drainage is something it dosnt hurt ti install when putting any wall in and will help extend the lifespan of a wall. Even if its an unconected socked agpipe begind teh wall it will help with those annoying watermarks that you sometimes see weeping through a wall.

The old retaining wall I had (was a mortared bessa block wall) had no base other then compacted earth, it held up well enough but had cracks along it and as soon as part of it failed, the whole lot failed. So a solid base is a good point to start.

Dave

[SuJay]

Thank you for the responses.  I have attached photos - not sure if they're clear enough!  The drop in the 'lawn' is between 20 & 30cm just in that corner.  I want to raise it by no more than 20cm to minimise water run off.  I would use 2 bricks high then reduce to one brick so that the top of the wall remains level, and it would be a straight line from the fence, where the brick is, following the path toward the camera. The 3 metre mark along this path is at the concrete join with grass growing in it.  I do not want to go more than 2 bricks high, really, just enough to make it reasonably level.  I've worked out that I will need about 25 bricks.  Thank you.

[EricL]

Hello @SuJay 

Thanks for sharing those photos of your garden. Just to add to the suggestions made, I recommend using a builder's line and a Craftright Level Line Surface Set. This will help you with the level of your retaining wall. Let me tag @Dave-1 to make them aware of the photos you've shared.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @SuJay

Thank you for those pictures  

So I am taking you want the retaining wall next to those 3 concrete slabs and intend to raise the soil behind the wall by 20cm.

Definently doable, I would follow @EricL's suggestion of compacted gravel for building the wall on (The video he linked mnade sense)

I would also install drainage behind the wall (Agi pipe and gravel above) and also in front between the base of the wall (A grill drain) and those concrete slabs, so it drains to your stormwater pipe.

Water will pool in the lowest point so I would suggest to check how level those concrete slabs are that your grill drain will be next to.

Dave