DIY Network

Dry-stack Wall: Footing, Specific Stones From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-102

Digging the footing properly is crucial to the wall’s structure. It’s also important to know which specific stones go where!

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	The space between the pool deck and lower yard was a mess...
	but, Derek and Dean got to work...
	and created a beautiful, fieldstone dry-stack wall...
	that added tons of character to this home.

Tools:

Tape measure
Stone hammer
String
Six foot level
Spade shovel
Wheelbarrow
Hoe with holes
Iron rake
Bullet level
Jointer
Hand tamper
Chipping hammer
Wire cutters
Safety glasses

Materials:

3 used granite steps (approximately 3 ft. long x 6 in. thick x 12 in. wide)
1 pallet, thin fieldstone
1 pallet, medium fieldstone
3/4 in. crushed stone (for footing and back fill)
3/8 in. crushed blue stone (for top of wall)
1 to 2 80 lb. bag of premix concrete per step
2 pieces of rebar cut to 3 ft. lengths

Digging Wall Footing

1. Begin your dry-stack wall by digging a four to six inch deep footing the length of the wall (figure A). For a dry-stack wall, your footing should be at least as wide as your wall will be tall. For an 18 inch tall wall, Dean and Derek dig footing two feet wide to provide extra stability.

2. Once the wall is dug (figure B), tamp the earth using the hand tamper to create a solid base (figure C). To properly tamp, open your legs about shoulder width apart, bend your knees, and snap the hand tamper down using your upper body; this will prevent back problems and provide a solid base.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

3. Next, place your 3/4 inch crushed stone/gravel in your footing area (figure D) and tamp that. The gravel base provides excellent drainage.

Specific Stones

1. Open your pallets using your wire cutters (figure E) and lay out the stone (figure F).

2. Look for four stones: corners, face stones, tie back stones, and capstones. Corners have at least one corner with a 90 degree edge and will be used on the edges of the wall. Face stones have one edge that is flat and will be used to make up the face of the wall. Tie back stones are stones with flat faces and that are long and heavy. They will be used to provide support in the base of the wall. Capstones are stones with a smooth top and a flat face.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

RESOURCES :

Plymouth Quarries, Inc.
Website: www.plymouthquarries.com