Do you know what the best addition to your retaining wall will be?

A stairwell. It will make your garden more visually stunning. Stair designs can be straight or curved depending on how much space you have available and what effect you want the stairway to have. More complex designs will require you to get a professional involved, but you can still be involved in every step of the building process. Read on to find out how to build a retaining wall with steps.

1. Prepare for the project

If you want to build a retaining wall step by step, you must have a clear plan before you start the project. Careful planning, an eye for detail and the ability to be flexible are key to completing a quality project. Decide what material you want to use for the stairwell. Some people opt for wooden stairs on a stone retaining wall and others use bricks. Take the time to get the right material for you and find out how much it will cost. It is also important to learn what you will need to do to keep the stairway material looking its best.

2. How to build a retaining wall with steps.

This is the more technical bit. Measure out your slope and choose a stair layout design that goes with the normal grade of your slope. On a sketch, mark out the stair riser locations and use the sketch to calculate how many steps you will want. Excavate the stairway location and remove as much soil as you need to leave it level. You can build-up the stairway from the ground up. If you happen to remove more soil than necessary, you can replace it with wall rock when you start building.

When the base is ready, it is now time to lay the base course (this is a layer of material that is located under the surface layer which gives strength to a structure). Make sure there are no empty gaps which will be potential areas of weakness. You can then install the first stair riser. To ensure that the stairway is level with the wall it is built-in, use a block on the wall as a reference and use it to level the stair treads. Compact the level and you can then add more steps.

Repeat the steps above for all the following stair risers and once this is done, install your chosen stair tread material to give your stairway that final finish.

At Concrete Sleepers we have a qualified team that specialises in building and waterproofing retaining walls. Contact us and we will build a beautiful staircase in your retaining wall.

A lot of people don’t know how to waterproof a retaining wall?

A lot of people don’t know how to go about this. A retaining wall holds earth to one side when there is a radical change in elevation. It prevents soil from spilling to lower levels and controls soil erosion so that there are no landslips. Smaller retaining walls can be done DIY but for more complex ones you will need a professional to ensure it is done right. If you plan to have one and want to know how you can waterproof it, read on to find out more.

1. Prepare for the project

It is important to be organised when building and waterproofing a retaining wall. If not done well a retaining walls can be hazardous. Depending on the size of the project to undertake, you may need to get council permission and builders warranty insurance. Check the area you plan to dig your foundation for underground plumbing and electrical cables, so you don’t disrupt them. If you plan to have large trees supported by the retaining wall, consult a construction engineer.

2. Get the right waterproofing supplies

Bricks, concrete blocks and masonry are porous and will allow moisture to penetrate from surrounding soil into the wall. A strong retaining wall needs to be waterproofed so that hydrostatic pressure build-up can be minimised, and the wall can remain strong for many years. You need to buy good waterproofing products and not damp-proof products. These may seem interchangeable, but this is not so, damp-proof products do not last as long and will eventually allow leaks.

3. Choose a good Liquid Rubber Membrane

Liquid Rubber Membranes are eco-friendly waterproofing membranes that are used to waterproof retaining walls. They come as paints, are quick to apply to a wall and have excellent flexibility to allow for soil movement within the wall without cracking and letting water through. The flexibility of the Liquid Rubber Membrane will allow the membrane to stretch with structural movements of the wall. The product you choose MUST be capable of withstanding water that is stagnant. Check with your supplier that it meets this requirement.

4. Apply the Liquid Rubber Paint

Liquid Rubber Paint can easily be applied to any retaining wall and it takes a few hours to complete the job. You will need a brush to apply the paint or a trowel. Get the first coat done and let it dry then put a second coat. Make sure that gravel and other sharp materials do not damage the membrane during backfill. You can use a permanent protection sheet for this.

At Concrete Sleepers we have a qualified team that specialises in building and waterproofing retaining walls. Contact us and we will help you build or waterproof your retaining wall.