by Raymond Alexander Kukkee

Created on: August 13, 2008

Build a Retaining Wall the Mortarless Way

Want to build a retaining wall without hiring a block layer or mason? Now you can do it yourself. Modern technology and design has made it possible to create almost any structure using a dry, or mortarless system. Specially shaped blocks are easily assembled into terrace walls, retaining walls, and decorative enclosures. With many choices of style and architectural features available, appearance can be highly variable, imitating natural stone, coloured stone, adobe, or even polished rock. The blocks fit together easily and securely.

How Does it Work?
A stone or block "gravity" wall that is "dry" laid without mortar uses it's own weight to resist movement. Some types of stackable blocks have a lip at the rear of the stone that sits behind the lower course. Suitable for lower walls to 4 -5 ft, the weight of the soil behind the wall actually strengthens the structure. Various designs of engineered interlocking blocks are available for higher structures.

The Mortarless Retaining Wall

A mortarless retaining wall prevents soil movement and allows a slope to be terraced and landscaped to maximize use of the area by preventing soil movement and reducing erosion.
The advantages of a mortarless wall are many. No concrete footing is required because of the inherent flexibility of a dry wall. To establish a footing, a layer of compacted crushed rock or gravel is placed to minimize settling.

A mortarless wall can be easily disassembled and moved later if desired. Blocks are available in a variety of sizes and widths, and trim stones, cap stones, pavers and other accessories are offered. Curved walls can easily be constructed.

Natural, dry field stone has been used by highly skilled stone masons for the construction of durable walls for centuries. Stackable blocks are the modern version, the engineered answer to retaining walls and structures of all types, and are now considered to be the system of choice by design.

Build the Wall

Let us examine the process of building a mortarless retaining wall. Initially, a design is required. Design considerations and choices must be made. Will your wall be curved or straight, and what height will it be? The higher a retaining wall is built, the more critical the structural elements become. Choose two successive, lower retaining walls to prevent structural problems and simultaneously take advantage of the terraced landscaping opportunities offered by that choice. Any retaining wall over 4' high requires

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