Retaining Wall (Applies to New or Restoration)
A successful retaining wall installation consists of several factors which will determine how long it will last.
- Excavation of area to allow for the rock base of the wall to be built and to allow for drainage pipe installation.
- First row of wall to be installed under ground level to ensure stability.
- Each row must be installed level.
- The last 2 rows plus the caps must be glued to avoid unwanted accidental movement.
- Area behind wall (approx. 2ft) needs to be wrapped with a Geo-Textile (fabric) and filled with 3/4 net rock to allow for drainage of excess water into the french drain pipe which is installed at the footing of the wall.
- Area next to wall should be finished with earth or paving stones with a slope away from the wall.
- #1 reason for retaining wall failure is inadequate preparation of area behind the wall. If the area doesn't contain drainage rocks with time the earth will drain through the gaps in the wall and cause it to lean forward.
New Driveway
A brand new driveway has specific installation requirements in order to resist the test of time.
- Excavation to the necessary depth to accommodate the extra weight load from parking vehicles.
- Compacting the earth of excavated area.
- Installation of geotextile fabric to ensure a separation of rock from the earth.
- Installation of rock base while compacting at certain depths.
- Leveling the stone dust to be able to install paving stones. Level should be done in a way to allow for proper water drainage.
- Installation of high quality polymer sand in the joints of the stones.
- Compacting paving stones to allow for polymer sand to reach the bottom of the joint as well as to properly set the blocks in the stone dust.
- Installation is complete after misting the paving stones with water to activate the polymer sand.
Walkway and Patio
Walkway and patios have the same preparation techniques due to the fact they are to be used for pedestrian traffic.
- Excavation to the necessary depth to accommodate pedestrian traffic. Excavation depth less than for a driveway due to the weight load.
- Compacting the earth of excavated area.
- Installation of geotextile fabric to ensure a separation of rock from the earth.
- Installation of rock base while compacting at certain depths.
- Leveling the stone dust to be able to install paving stones. Level should be done in a way to allow for proper water drainage.
- Installation of high quality polymer sand in the joints of the stones.
- Compacting paving stones to allow for polymer sand to reach the bottom of the joint as well as to properly set the blocks in the stone dust.
- Installation is complete after misting the paving stones with water to activate the polymer sand.
Restoration of Driveways, Walkways, and Patios
We have brought back to life stones that were over 20 years old and gave them a fresh new start.
- Each stone must be removed and cleaned individually.
- Any existing patterns or designs carefully noted in order to successfully complete the installation since there are no extra stones in case of a mistake!
- Area cleaned of any unwanted debris and compacted several times.
- If needed add extra rock before leveling.
- Start leveling the stone dust in order to create a proper surface to install the paving stones and to create adequate slopes to evacuate water.
- Installation of high quality polymer sand in the joints of the stones.
- Compacting paving stones to allow for polymer sand to reach the bottom of the joint as well as to properly set the blocks in the stone dust.
- Installation is complete after misting the paving stones with water to activate the polymer sand.
Restoration of Staircases
Staircase installation follows the same procedure as a retaining wall except that each step requires a new level and a new rock base to support it.
- Restoring a staircase can be very tricky and requires a very organized approach to taking notes of each elevation and exact positioning of each step. There is no room for error since there isn't any extra stones and most of the time they are discontinued.
- Each step has a required standard height of 7 inches.
- For detailed steps read retaining wall instructions and apply them to every step. For staircases there isn't a drainage pipe.
Flowerbed Walls
- Excavation of area to allow for the rock base of the wall to be built.
- First row of wall to be installed under ground level to ensure stability.
- Each row must be installed level.
- The last 2 rows plus the caps must be glued to avoid unwanted accidental movement.
- The interior of the flowerbed should be wrapped with a geotextile fabric and finalized with earth.
Stone Borders
Borders are necessary to divide different types of material. In this case we have river rock and grass.
- Area must be cleaned of all vegetation
- Small trench a few inches wider than the border should be prepared to allow for installation.
- Trench will be covered with a geotextile fabric.
- The borders will be installed on stone dust in order to achieve the correct level.
- The interior area of the border will be wrapped with a geotextile fabric in order to prevent unwanted vegetation growth.
- Complete installation with a choice of rock or cedar mulch.
New Grass Installation
Most of the time it is more cost efficient to install new grass than waste your weekends putting earth, seeds, and water hoping you'll get that perfect lawn.
- Remove old grass and unwanted vegetation growth.
- Check slope and elevation of the existing terrain. Many homes have their land sloping towards the house which causes unwanted water build up next to your foundation walls.
- When installing new grass its a great opportunity to bring in extra earth to correct any slopes towards your home or to level uneven land.
- Once soil has been leveled and lightly compacted grass rolls can be installed.
- Once installed the grass will need to be watered everyday for about two weeks.
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