Weather feeling nice in New Jersey, nights and early dawn is kinda cold (60’s), glad to see more videos, great to watch when I’m not working, mowing peoples lawns I’m 13 and saving for a computer
Stan I did a Wall using Big box store blocks 83 foot Long 12 feet tall with steps in the center and two conners coming back into hillside could not have done with such success with out your help so thanks for the help
I have been working on building a firepit in the back yard with a 7' slope since May paying close attention to your videos for help. I am at the point on running wiring for lights and putting wall caps on the walls and for the steps. (Wish there was a way to send a pic) but only having 2 hours one day, 1 hour the next it's been humbling experience not having and power tools except a standard 2inch hand saw to cut 6 inch block -_-. A lot of troubleshooting and sitting back scratching my head on things but the foundation of the wall is solid and I can't thank you all enough for the content you put out to help out folks like us. Also I got the worst tennis elbow hammering away at blocks so powering through that I can understand the gimpy T-Rex arm haha!
Stan, you dedication and attention to detail is why I enjoy watching your videos. Your team makes it look enjoyable and the outcome always impressive. Ok ready for part three.
I use an edging spike to mark the block instead of a pencil or marker. The scrape stays even when wet. No pencil led or china marker wax or sharpie tips wearing off, washing away or getting dusted.
Well Stan , I have ever done a patio and it’s 60’x20’ and it was a pain. Butt I kept on and used lime for the bed instead of sand. Because that is what landscapers in my area recommended. St. Louis area. Thanks for all the tips click and drop worked great! To bad I can not send a pic on this chat.
Impressive wall and equally as Impressive job site. The vid is full of good info and shows your guys know their stuff as well as you. God bless my friend.
No one got hurt becasue of the wall but bothBlaine and Alex got injured on other things during this project. You will see that tomorrow during the bonus vid.
Stan how many truck loads of block did you use either In editing you showed the same truck twice or you really used a whole bunch of blocks. The neighbors below the wall must think they moved to China G.W.C.
With all those Western Digital My Books, you should look into buying a NAS like a synology or something. You have a lot of footage, can't imagine how many more my books you have laying around vs the 2 I see on your desk lol.
@@Dirtmonkey Thats the best thing about NAS units, you have different RAID configurations for data redundancy. You can lose a drive, hell even two, and once you replace those failed drives they can rebuild the RAID while still having access to your data. NAS drives are better like seagate ironwolfs or WD Red units, they last longer than the mybook. I would recommend watching network chucks video on NAS units, or Linus Tech Tips. As an IT guy myself, i couldn't recommend a NAS unit than anything else for you. I'd recommend a real NAS over a synology but synologys software and user capability is beyond amazing even for people who really don't know what they're doing.
Being up north do you guys typically have enough moisture in the soil naturally to get proper compaction? Down here in dry as a popcorn fart colorado we almost always have to truck in and add water to our backfill.
IPA Tools make that grease joint rejuvenator, you can buy a master or professional kit. Ibought one back in2016 from them and works awesome especially with brake oil if I remember correctly?
I was laughing at 10:55 Stan, when you said: "What you're going to see next is going to seem awkward or off". Immediately after saying this you popped on full screen. Don't be so hard on yourself Stan lol Great video. Thanks!
Have you ever used a larger dimension block (48"x18") like the Redi-rock? I am wanting to do a DIY at my home very similar to this project, 10 ft. high on a steep slope. My thought is that I can use my own excavator to set the larger blocks and save my back. Would appreciate your thoughts before I bite off more that I can chew.
She is coming along nicely, really like how you are videoing the layers with the geogrid material. That blade on the saw cuts like a hot knife thru butter. Who makes that blade and what model is it? Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
Hey guys! Howcome you use gravel underneath the blocks? In Denmark we would do like so: 1. Remove all dirt until we get to the claylayers. 2. Use a type of gravel mixed with bigger stones (0-32mm) with sand and clay so that it compacs really nice. Layer thickness around 15cm 3. Concrete wich will be directly underneath the blocks. layer thickness aroudn 15 cm. 4. Blocks. Behind we never use geogritt, I havent seen anything like that before, we put concrete behind the wall. But the geogritt seems very nice!
so, have you ever doe a solid single pour concrete retaining wall? IE, building wooden forms, and inserting rebar in a grid and then pouring concrete in it? i wonder about the level of drainage needed for such a design. i assume the base woudl have to be some sort fo washed and crushed stone of a certain width beyond the concrete width, and possible have pipes in under it to funnel water away from any foundation put in... im planing a major project in the future, anywhere from a year to five years in the future which will need some serious engineering to be durable and long lasting. i want to pour it in one go, and then later add the stone facing which i hope to build on a 6 inch lip from the foundation up and use mortar as the bonding agent, rather than build dry stacks of the slate and pouring concrete between the two faces, as i have done for the current project. but, for a Major slope holding project like what im planing for the future, i think it needs some much better engineered drainage for the foundation. where might i find any advice on this sort of thing? we have a Lot of water behind us, and a continuous spring that comes out near our driveway at a fairly good rate, so i down want to trap that water, or allow the frost to heave it. anyways, just rambling now lol... i love to watch how you build, as every contractor does it differently, for every different style and engineering problem.
I haven't done that on a retaining wall but I did do it on my house foundation with 10 foot walls. They are all poured in place using forms. BUT for a retaining wall application you need MASSIVE footings to resist the lateral movement placed on the wall. Plus I recommend a lot drainage material to keep hydrostatic pressure from building up and blowing out the structure.
@@Dirtmonkey thanks for the reply! and yeah, that's what i figured. in the design we are considering, we would have t-walls going back form the main wall into the hillside, as well as a portion that was either curved or straight angled back into the hillside. but, definitely need to make sure it drains extremely well. it is likely we would have an engineering and contractor firm do a sign and feasibility's study on the area we want to put it and do the bulk of the work, and then leave us the artistic details for later... we plan to do terraces, faced with slate, but made of concrete to make a really epic landscape for this property. and hopefully build it to last many lifetimes
hey I have a question Stan, it doesn't protein to walls but excavators more so. When you're parking an excavator usually everyone curls the arms and bucket in, why don't operaters extend everything out so the cylinders aren't exposed. The only reason I can think of is that it would take up a massive amount of space lmao
Haha I was about to say to Sam tractor supply sells one of those grease joint rejuvenator that clears the grease fittings but then you said he has one haha they work amazing for stubborn grease zerks
@@Dirtmonkey core muscles in the stomach are absolutely vital. The ball probably helps you develop or maintain the core muscles. I got an inversion machine to help. No doubt about it construction is a very rewarding job but it can beat the snot out of you especially with all that jarring
Things are really coming along aye. I’m doing my spring lawn renovation tomorrow and I can’t wait. Spring is finally here in Australia. What work boots do you wear? I’m slowly saving up for a pair and I’m not sure what ones to get.
Curious as to why you dont use filter fabric between the dirt and the drainage stone (ie french drain). Wont the dirt eventually invade the stone and defeat the drainage capability? Then you have a hydrostatic pressure problem. Isnt hydrostatic pressure what causes most retaining walls to fail?
Great job. Wouldn’t a 2 Tier double wall w a.5 or 6 ft buffer area between them with. Bush’s roots add stability ! be a lot stronger. 2 s always Better than one .Safer ? 11 ft high. 😬Did u put a. Fence on Top ?
Definitely worth getting a electric grease gun! I also have a milwaukee unit and if it failed, I'd get another 1 that day. I picked up that grease fitting tool from NAPA back in the day but I've noticed a few local AG suppliers that have them on the shelf
Can you place a paver patio to butt up to a retaining wall cap? If so, how do you set the base for the patio on top of the angular rock of the wall? Will the wall still drain properly?
Me before watching this series: I can easily design and build a block retaining wall. Me after watching this series: I can easily call a professional to design and build a block retaining wall.
I second the cordless grease gun, I got the Dewalt kit and I love it! Such a time saver, especially with things like track tensioners that take a lot of grease
Thanks Stan! Unfortunately this series will wrap up about the same time as I wrap up my paver patio project above a retaining wall... At least mine is a 9-18" wall so no special engineering required. Still have 3"+ of compacted base under it though. Don't forget to get that smoke detector back up in your office! 🧐 I'd be happy to help if you want. 👍
Your videos are great, Stan! Quick question: if you're having to use geogrid because of a surcharge above a wall, what's the formula for determining how deep into the hill the geogrid must extend?
Awesomesauce video Stan. Question. I am building a retaining wall. It drops 9 ft into a retention pond for my neighborhood. The culvert pipe that leads under the road it right on my property edge. The area has termites. I am going to use rebar to hold the wall. I can't really use timber, I was thinking metal studs, maybe? Any ideas?
Stan I bought the Milwaukee M18 leaf blower the one that has the 100 cfm and 160 mph wind speed and I'm using one of my XC 5.0 amp hour batteries from my mid torque impact wrench kit and on my 70 feet w by 110 feet long yard I got my yard done on 3/4 of the battery and I'm sold on the not having to pull a cord to crank a engine over
8:20 So what you're saying is you're Customers ask for a 9 foot wall and you automatically design it as if they had asked for a 10 or 11 foot wall... As long as the extra height potential doesn't cost too much in terms of added materials used to build it...I think it's a great idea...
I have a blue point ejector that I got off the snap on man when I was working for a hydraulic shop 7 years ago, works wonders. Not sure if they still sell them but worth the money!
Hi sir I just want to ask you please when I do the wall and the Geogrid do I need to put the geogrid into the soil too or just the stone I am doing 8 foot retaining wall Thank you
This is a mortarless retaining wall. Its a completetly different kind of build. What you see in this video is a pretty standard design and we use it on walls up to 28 feet tall. at least thats the tallest we have built.
@@Dirtmonkey understood never seen that before, I'm used to seeing the strict codes out west for anything over 3ft high, lol! What's the danger in a wall that or higher collapsing at some point. How long do those last typically??
Also, what editing software do you use again? And what camera? I think asked before but I forgot what you use. As I’m looking at upgrading to a GoPro but they sort of break the bank a bit.
Easy way we make our own corners… Demo saw Sledge Axe 12 lb sledge hammer Score the block on all 4 sides Wedge the sledge axe in the scored line Use the butting end of the sledge to tap the wedge in (left right middle) Use the strike side of sledge to render an even strike blow to the wedge Block will split and have 2 natural rough ends With 2 guys we average one split/minute or 2 corners each minute If block doesn’t split, flip to underside and repeat process (every now and then a stubborn block requires this)
Hey Stan. It's really cool that your employees help with filming. Do you notify them before hiring that you record things for UA-cam? Can they opt out? I recently started filming for my channel and also considering expanding from just me to more employees. So curious about the legalities etc.
Would you be able to install a fence directly into the blocks or would you have to put it into the ground next to the wall? And if not, how close to the wall could you build a fence?
I would put it behind the wall and as long as you have the proper fence post installation method you can get right behind the wall. they make a special kit to use directly behind walls.
Does anyone (City, DOR, etc.) make you take compaction shots with densometer to prove 95% compaction, moisture content, etc.? Just curious. Nice video sir. I just posted a video of a wall I did solo (it was horrible) and tagged you to thank you for all your videos/knowledge!!!
You talked about 7' grid length. I knew who the wall failed at 10', the inspector on site during tear out measured every piece and fined the company over one piece being 6' 11 15\16. I think the inspector was an arse but I guess if it said 7' a1\16 might matter.
Not required on this one. But it typically is required on commercial projects. We use the same methods and same machinery on commercial sites and typically get between 99 -103% compaction. Yep- you can go over 100% compaction . the highest we have gotten was between 105-107%
@@Dirtmonkey i disagree with going over 100% when the test exceeds 100% then compaction has broken down aggregate changing the max density. In California when you go over 100% we obtain a sample from the area abs recalculate the max density.
Hey Stan, I've watch your videos on retaining walls. But I'm confused on the "toeing in' with native soil on clean stone. Wouldn't the soil wash into the stone creating settling? I need my drain tile to be above grade. Do I need a compactable base with fines? Please help.
Weather feeling nice in New Jersey, nights and early dawn is kinda cold (60’s), glad to see more videos, great to watch when I’m not working, mowing peoples lawns I’m 13 and saving for a computer
I over reply 😆
Sounds like you are ambitious. That will take you far.
Stan I did a Wall using Big box store blocks 83 foot Long 12 feet tall with steps in the center and two conners coming back into hillside could not have done with such success with out your help so thanks for the help
wow- that sis a massive undertaking. Kudos for tackling such a big project on your own. It can be intimidating.
The Quality remains long before the price is forgotten. Great work being done on that customers backyard right their.
much appreciated🙏
Hey, Stanley. Excellent video, man. Looking forward to the rest. Superb!!!
Hey, thanks!
Stan, I am really enjoying this series. Thanks for the upload!!
Glad to hear it!
I got to drive a brand new kubota SVL 75-2 today and I can now say with confidence that machine was a good choice! I loved it!
Thank you Stan, I have been waiting for this series. Keep up the wall and paver videos!
This week will be the last 2 on the wall and then next week is pavers before we wrap this up.
I have been working on building a firepit in the back yard with a 7' slope since May paying close attention to your videos for help. I am at the point on running wiring for lights and putting wall caps on the walls and for the steps. (Wish there was a way to send a pic) but only having 2 hours one day, 1 hour the next it's been humbling experience not having and power tools except a standard 2inch hand saw to cut 6 inch block -_-. A lot of troubleshooting and sitting back scratching my head on things but the foundation of the wall is solid and I can't thank you all enough for the content you put out to help out folks like us.
Also I got the worst tennis elbow hammering away at blocks so powering through that I can understand the gimpy T-Rex arm haha!
Stan this is really cool how you are showing how everything goes to gather for building walls.
Im sharing how we do it and there is more to 2 come on this one.
Great work guys! Cheap no good, good no cheap!
You got that right!
Stan, you dedication and attention to detail is why I enjoy watching your videos. Your team makes it look enjoyable and the outcome always impressive. Ok ready for part three.
Wow, thank you
@@Dirtmonkey your are good man. Wish you the best of success.
No part 3?
New viewer.... I really like the passion and energy you have for your work. The kind of contractor I wish we had more of around my area.
Welcome aboard! and thank you very much.
All of you work so hard! Kudos to the team! Great video...can't wait for the next one! Thank you!😊🙏
Thank you so much! tomorrow will be a bonus video on this project and then on Friday is the grand wrap up.
Was nice to see Sam and his grease gun again, he is the Clint Eastwood of your channel.😃
yep- but I have a lot of great team members that I plan on trying to get equal camera time to.
I use an edging spike to mark the block instead of a pencil or marker. The scrape stays even when wet. No pencil led or china marker wax or sharpie tips wearing off, washing away or getting dusted.
Thats smart and you can always get a spike from just about anywhere
Just finished watching your last upload , I’m a day behind it appears ! This feels like a free 2 in 1 video !
tomorrow will be part 3 and friday is part 4 the wrap up.
Well Stan , I have ever done a patio and it’s 60’x20’ and it was a pain. Butt I kept on and used lime for the bed instead of sand. Because that is what landscapers in my area recommended. St. Louis area. Thanks for all the tips click and drop worked great! To bad I can not send a pic on this chat.
Anyone who has done this work understands exactly how difficult this job is. As always Stan your crew does great work!
Looking great so far can’t wait to see the next one. Amazing work and thanks for sharing this with us take care
another vid just came out tonight if you want to see more progress.
@@Dirtmonkey I go will go watch that now. Thanks
Impressive wall and equally as Impressive job site. The vid is full of good info and shows your guys know their stuff as well as you. God bless my friend.
Much appreciated!
I do the same things I over build what ever I am building I over do it just Incas I need to add on to it later down the road. Thanks for the video
Right on. Thats the smart way to do it
hope you had a great day! I did to! This wall is amazing to watch be built! Hope no one got hurt while it was being built! keep up the great work!
No one got hurt becasue of the wall but bothBlaine and Alex got injured on other things during this project. You will see that tomorrow during the bonus vid.
👍👍👍👍👍 video, Thanks Stan🤗
Glad you enjoyed it Glenn.
You guys do some awesome work Stan great video brother.👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks 👍
Great video
Man do I love the whistle of concrete saws lol
me to!
Stan how many truck loads of block did you use either In editing you showed the same truck twice or you really used a whole bunch of blocks. The neighbors below the wall must think they moved to China G.W.C.
We had to have at least 5 loads of block come in.
I love the start to finish project videos Stan!
Glad to hear it!
That Retaining wall looks fresh hope you guys have a good day 💯💪👊🔥
Thanks Aaron You too! Stay safe👊😃
With all those Western Digital My Books, you should look into buying a NAS like a synology or something. You have a lot of footage, can't imagine how many more my books you have laying around vs the 2 I see on your desk lol.
I like to keep them seprate in case one fries out.
@@Dirtmonkey Thats the best thing about NAS units, you have different RAID configurations for data redundancy. You can lose a drive, hell even two, and once you replace those failed drives they can rebuild the RAID while still having access to your data.
NAS drives are better like seagate ironwolfs or WD Red units, they last longer than the mybook.
I would recommend watching network chucks video on NAS units, or Linus Tech Tips. As an IT guy myself, i couldn't recommend a NAS unit than anything else for you.
I'd recommend a real NAS over a synology but synologys software and user capability is beyond amazing even for people who really don't know what they're doing.
Just got here and already know its gonna be a good one!!!
Welcome aboard Alex!
Being up north do you guys typically have enough moisture in the soil naturally to get proper compaction? Down here in dry as a popcorn fart colorado we almost always have to truck in and add water to our backfill.
Its actually usually pretty wet around here. Subtracting moisture is normally more of a problem than adding it.
Grease joint rejuvenater, I've owned one for 20 years purchased from a Mac tool distributor. And yes they work amazing.
Good to know!
Stan, you have one hell of a crew. Those guys are the best 😜
I am super blessed to have a great team for sure.
Thanks for another great video!
Thanks for tuning in Anthony.
Thanks Stan! Appreciate the video.
IPA Tools make that grease joint rejuvenator, you can buy a master or professional kit. Ibought one back in2016 from them and works awesome especially with brake oil if I remember correctly?
Thats what it looked like he was putting into it.
I was laughing at 10:55 Stan, when you said: "What you're going to see next is going to seem awkward or off". Immediately after saying this you popped on full screen. Don't be so hard on yourself Stan lol Great video. Thanks!
Always great videos and editing man. 🔥👏😎
Appreciate it!
Have you ever used a larger dimension block (48"x18") like the Redi-rock? I am wanting to do a DIY at my home very similar to this project, 10 ft. high on a steep slope. My thought is that I can use my own excavator to set the larger blocks and save my back. Would appreciate your thoughts before I bite off more that I can chew.
I have used brute blocks in the past. Bigger blocks work great but are more expensive.
Great video! What did you charge for this whole job, Stan?
She is coming along nicely, really like how you are videoing the layers with the geogrid material. That blade on the saw cuts like a hot knife thru butter. Who makes that blade and what model is it? Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
That is a blades direct shoxx blade. More on that in the next video coming out in a few hours actually
@@Dirtmonkey Good news, thanks.
Great video Stan I really enjoyed this video 🇺🇲
Hey guys!
Howcome you use gravel underneath the blocks?
In Denmark we would do like so:
1. Remove all dirt until we get to the claylayers.
2. Use a type of gravel mixed with bigger stones (0-32mm) with sand and clay so that it compacs really nice. Layer thickness around 15cm
3. Concrete wich will be directly underneath the blocks. layer thickness aroudn 15 cm.
4. Blocks.
Behind we never use geogritt, I havent seen anything like that before, we put concrete behind the wall.
But the geogritt seems very nice!
Another great video!!
so, have you ever doe a solid single pour concrete retaining wall? IE, building wooden forms, and inserting rebar in a grid and then pouring concrete in it? i wonder about the level of drainage needed for such a design. i assume the base woudl have to be some sort fo washed and crushed stone of a certain width beyond the concrete width, and possible have pipes in under it to funnel water away from any foundation put in... im planing a major project in the future, anywhere from a year to five years in the future which will need some serious engineering to be durable and long lasting. i want to pour it in one go, and then later add the stone facing which i hope to build on a 6 inch lip from the foundation up and use mortar as the bonding agent, rather than build dry stacks of the slate and pouring concrete between the two faces, as i have done for the current project. but, for a Major slope holding project like what im planing for the future, i think it needs some much better engineered drainage for the foundation. where might i find any advice on this sort of thing? we have a Lot of water behind us, and a continuous spring that comes out near our driveway at a fairly good rate, so i down want to trap that water, or allow the frost to heave it. anyways, just rambling now lol... i love to watch how you build, as every contractor does it differently, for every different style and engineering problem.
I haven't done that on a retaining wall but I did do it on my house foundation with 10 foot walls. They are all poured in place using forms. BUT for a retaining wall application you need MASSIVE footings to resist the lateral movement placed on the wall. Plus I recommend a lot drainage material to keep hydrostatic pressure from building up and blowing out the structure.
@@Dirtmonkey thanks for the reply! and yeah, that's what i figured. in the design we are considering, we would have t-walls going back form the main wall into the hillside, as well as a portion that was either curved or straight angled back into the hillside. but, definitely need to make sure it drains extremely well. it is likely we would have an engineering and contractor firm do a sign and feasibility's study on the area we want to put it and do the bulk of the work, and then leave us the artistic details for later... we plan to do terraces, faced with slate, but made of concrete to make a really epic landscape for this property. and hopefully build it to last many lifetimes
LETTTTS GOOOO BABBYY!!!! Been wait for part 2
Very cool! Part 3 is tomorrow as a bonus vid and the wrap up is on Friday.
Good Evening Stan, How's the day going. Nice weather today, hby? Lime sparking water today.
Gorgeous out. But thats coming to an end soon enough. Winter is heading our way fast. Im drinking Vanilla Coke zero still. Ive got a couple cans left
@@Dirtmonkey Yup snow season is on it way. Enjoy that coke zero.
hey I have a question Stan, it doesn't protein to walls but excavators more so. When you're parking an excavator usually everyone curls the arms and bucket in, why don't operaters extend everything out so the cylinders aren't exposed. The only reason I can think of is that it would take up a massive amount of space lmao
So the operator can grease the machine before they use it again and before the machine is moved.
@@midaswhale7754 ah okay, that makes sense ,you wouldn't be able to get the top cylinder if it was fully extended, thank you
protecting those cylinders is a good idea for sure though.
Dude cutting the block, we have the same boots! So easy to put on and take off. I use them quarrying
Those are irish setters. OK but not really our first choice. I have the winter boots. Love the lace system.
Haha I was about to say to Sam tractor supply sells one of those grease joint rejuvenator that clears the grease fittings but then you said he has one haha they work amazing for stubborn grease zerks
Been watching for years and never saw anything about it.. but what benefits do you get from sitting on an exercise ball while at your desk?
My back! that ball has saved my back. I used to have a pinched nerve and couldn't sit. I switched to an exercise ball and my pinched nerve went away.
@@Dirtmonkey core muscles in the stomach are absolutely vital. The ball probably helps you develop or maintain the core muscles.
I got an inversion machine to help.
No doubt about it construction is a very rewarding job but it can beat the snot out of you especially with all that jarring
Things are really coming along aye.
I’m doing my spring lawn renovation tomorrow and I can’t wait. Spring is finally here in Australia.
What work boots do you wear? I’m slowly saving up for a pair and I’m not sure what ones to get.
I like Jim green boots and I also like keen but the philadelphia model. Both are great boots IMO
@@Dirtmonkey awesome, I’ll check em out
Another nice option with versaloc is that you can make them double sided as a "fence" that's built together with the wall.
Is the municipality requiring a 4 ft fence at the top of the 11ft retaining wall to prevent people from falling off?
yep- he will need to put fall protection in place.
how do snowflakes cope when they climb hills and immediately throw themselves off a cliff?
Curious as to why you dont use filter fabric between the dirt and the drainage stone (ie french drain). Wont the dirt eventually invade the stone and defeat the drainage capability? Then you have a hydrostatic pressure problem. Isnt hydrostatic pressure what causes most retaining walls to fail?
Great job. Wouldn’t a 2 Tier double wall w a.5 or 6 ft buffer area between them with. Bush’s roots add stability ! be a lot stronger. 2 s always Better than one .Safer ? 11 ft high. 😬Did u put a. Fence on Top ?
Yep but that would take away a lot of flat yard. This project was meant to optimize the flat yard.
@@Dirtmonkey I did a 2 tier yard by a pond 2 walls 4 ft high buffer in between was only 4 ft Hope you put a fence on that 11 ft. A kid can fall .
Definitely worth getting a electric grease gun! I also have a milwaukee unit and if it failed, I'd get another 1 that day. I picked up that grease fitting tool from NAPA back in the day but I've noticed a few local AG suppliers that have them on the shelf
Those ejector tools are nice!
Can you place a paver patio to butt up to a retaining wall cap? If so, how do you set the base for the patio on top of the angular rock of the wall? Will the wall still drain properly?
3:00 any reason why he isn't scribing and breaking those blocks?
I need you guys to transform my backyard. Awesome work team.
Me before watching this series: I can easily design and build a block retaining wall.
Me after watching this series: I can easily call a professional to design and build a block retaining wall.
😂👍
I second the cordless grease gun, I got the Dewalt kit and I love it! Such a time saver, especially with things like track tensioners that take a lot of grease
Thanks Stan! Unfortunately this series will wrap up about the same time as I wrap up my paver patio project above a retaining wall... At least mine is a 9-18" wall so no special engineering required. Still have 3"+ of compacted base under it though.
Don't forget to get that smoke detector back up in your office! 🧐 I'd be happy to help if you want. 👍
good eye!
Your videos are great, Stan! Quick question: if you're having to use geogrid because of a surcharge above a wall, what's the formula for determining how deep into the hill the geogrid must extend?
Great end result. How long did this project take in total?
Awesomesauce video Stan.
Question. I am building a retaining wall. It drops 9 ft into a retention pond for my neighborhood. The culvert pipe that leads under the road it right on my property edge.
The area has termites. I am going to use rebar to hold the wall. I can't really use timber, I was thinking metal studs, maybe? Any ideas?
Nice work. Thanks!
Stan I bought the Milwaukee M18 leaf blower the one that has the 100 cfm and 160 mph wind speed and I'm using one of my XC 5.0 amp hour batteries from my mid torque impact wrench kit and on my 70 feet w by 110 feet long yard I got my yard done on 3/4 of the battery and I'm sold on the not having to pull a cord to crank a engine over
I love my battery stuff.
This is exactly what I'm looking for at our home here in TN! Do you have anyone in the Nashville are you refer?
Another killer video
Thank you Keith🙏
I Honestly just love your videos
Never stop
🙏 Thank you sir
8:20 So what you're saying is you're Customers ask for a 9 foot wall and you automatically design it as if they had asked for a 10 or 11 foot wall...
As long as the extra height potential doesn't cost too much in terms of added materials used to build it...I think it's a great idea...
lot of contractors could stand to learn a lesson from your videos!!!!
I have a blue point ejector that I got off the snap on man when I was working for a hydraulic shop 7 years ago, works wonders. Not sure if they still sell them but worth the money!
I like this build series!
Hi sir
I just want to ask you please when I do the wall and the Geogrid do I need to put the geogrid into the soil too or just the stone I am doing 8 foot retaining wall
Thank you
I don't see rebar or footings on an 11ft wall?? Did I miss that part of the build?
This is a mortarless retaining wall. Its a completetly different kind of build. What you see in this video is a pretty standard design and we use it on walls up to 28 feet tall. at least thats the tallest we have built.
@@Dirtmonkey understood never seen that before, I'm used to seeing the strict codes out west for anything over 3ft high, lol! What's the danger in a wall that or higher collapsing at some point. How long do those last typically??
Also, what editing software do you use again? And what camera?
I think asked before but I forgot what you use. As I’m looking at upgrading to a GoPro but they sort of break the bank a bit.
I use go pro'7s Those are my favorite. and I use I movie to edit in
Sam has a weird "relationship" with his grease gun! LOL
😂 you noticed.
I work in a factory but I find this stuff so interesting
Very cool.
have had issues with the dewalt one building air blocks and not pumping correctly
Hmmm- good to know. thanks. so far the milwaukee has worked very well.
Easy way we make our own corners…
Demo saw
Sledge Axe
12 lb sledge hammer
Score the block on all 4 sides
Wedge the sledge axe in the scored line
Use the butting end of the sledge to tap the wedge in (left right middle)
Use the strike side of sledge to render an even strike blow to the wedge
Block will split and have 2 natural rough ends
With 2 guys we average one split/minute or 2 corners each minute
If block doesn’t split, flip to underside and repeat process (every now and then a stubborn block requires this)
Hey Stan. It's really cool that your employees help with filming. Do you notify them before hiring that you record things for UA-cam? Can they opt out? I recently started filming for my channel and also considering expanding from just me to more employees. So curious about the legalities etc.
They all know its part of the business.
How much did it cost to build up this yard like this? I have a similar project but it's closer to 20 ft.
Would you be able to install a fence directly into the blocks or would you have to put it into the ground next to the wall? And if not, how close to the wall could you build a fence?
I would put it behind the wall and as long as you have the proper fence post installation method you can get right behind the wall. they make a special kit to use directly behind walls.
I wonder what the cost would be for a project like this.
On this one it was a private residence so I can't share that
@@Dirtmonkey If you ever get the chance to throw in a few ballpark figures for stuff it would be interesting, but yes for a client that's np
I know the guy who dropped off the block! Good freind of mines dad!
small world
Does anyone (City, DOR, etc.) make you take compaction shots with densometer to prove 95% compaction, moisture content, etc.? Just curious. Nice video sir. I just posted a video of a wall I did solo (it was horrible) and tagged you to thank you for all your videos/knowledge!!!
only on commercial jobs not residential.
@@Dirtmonkey 10-4, really nice project. Thank you for taking the time to reply sir.
Dammit, you beat me to it Stan! I was just gonna say "that's what she said!" 🤣
😂
@5:29 he could've measure from the straight side(his left hand side) and mark the 5 1/4 now its parallel by default
You talked about 7' grid length. I knew who the wall failed at 10', the inspector on site during tear out measured every piece and fined the company over one piece being 6' 11 15\16. I think the inspector was an arse but I guess if it said 7' a1\16 might matter.
I have seen that happen and it opens up the company to a lawsuit for not building the wall to spec.
Were you required to have certified compaction testing done? Sandcone or nuke?
Not required on this one. But it typically is required on commercial projects. We use the same methods and same machinery on commercial sites and typically get between 99 -103% compaction. Yep- you can go over 100% compaction . the highest we have gotten was between 105-107%
Thats standard proctor density not modified
@@Dirtmonkey i disagree with going over 100% when the test exceeds 100% then compaction has broken down aggregate changing the max density. In California when you go over 100% we obtain a sample from the area abs recalculate the max density.
that saw vs 30-06, vs 7 rem mag, vs 45-70, vs any other caliber...how many blocks???
That would be cool to see!
Do you have a engineer full time? Or is it like a outside company you hire that provides a engineer?
Great video bro 👍
Appreciate it
Stan, is it ever acceptable to base a wall with a concrete footing? Why or why not?
That is part of the engineering of the wall.
yes you can. We don't like them though as it actually takes away from our ability to level out the blocks.
Tractor supply sells the grease zurks injectors. Just got one last month.
Ah- very cool!
Hey Stan, I've watch your videos on retaining walls. But I'm confused on the "toeing in' with native soil on clean stone. Wouldn't the soil wash into the stone creating settling? I need my drain tile to be above grade. Do I need a compactable base with fines? Please help.
Stan, awesome wall. Just curious what your thoughts are on fabric. I hear a lot of different opinions.
They sell those injector kits online at Home Depot.
But keep up the great content!
I didn't know Home depot had them. thank you!