If you're looking to add visual interest to your backyard while also preventing soil erosion, a retaining wall is a great solution. However, building a retaining wall requires careful planning and preparation, and one crucial step in the process is leveling the ground. In this blog post, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to level the ground with a plate compactor before building a retaining wall.
Step 1: Determine the Location and Height of Your Retaining Wall Before you start leveling the ground, you need to determine the location and height of your retaining wall. Mark the area where you want to build the wall and use a measuring tape to determine the height. Make sure to account for any slope or grade in the ground.
Step 2: Clear the Area Once you've determined the location and height of your retaining wall, clear the area of any debris, rocks, or vegetation. Use a shovel or rake to remove any large rocks or debris from the area.
Step 3: Excavate the Ground Using a shovel or excavator, dig a trench along the length of the wall where the base of the wall will sit. The width and depth of the trench will depend on the height and length of your retaining wall. Make sure to remove any loose soil and rocks from the trench.
Step 4: Compact the Soil Using a plate compactor, compact the soil in the trench to create a level and stable base for your retaining wall. Start at one end of the trench and work your way towards the other end, making sure to overlap each pass slightly. This will ensure that the entire area is compacted evenly.
Step 5: Check for Levelness After you've compacted the soil, use a level to check that the trench is level from end to end. Adjust the soil as necessary to ensure that the base of the wall is level.
Step 6: Repeat the Process If your retaining wall is taller than one course of blocks, you'll need to repeat the process of digging a trench and compacting the soil for each course of blocks. Make sure to check for levelness after each course.
Step 7: Build Your Retaining Wall Once you've leveled the ground, you're ready to start building your retaining wall. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific type of retaining wall block you're using, and make sure to use a level and mallet to ensure each block is level and secure.
Leveling the ground with a plate compactor is an essential step in building a retaining wall. By following these steps, you can ensure that your retaining wall is level, stable, and will last for years to come.
