DIY Network

Patio and Retaining Wall The apprentice improves his skills in dry-stack masonry. From "Trade School" episode DTRS-201

Figure A

In this session, student Tony Wilson leaves the mortar behind as he works with instructor Jef Pirkey to improve on his skills in dry stack masonry and build an ornamental stone patio and walkway (figure A) Jef can be proud of. This patio includes retaining walls and long planters that surround a courtyard-style patio. A puzzle-like arrangement of flat stones between the patio and the house serves as a new walkway. Tony must avoid buckling under pressure because this project is in Jef's front yard.

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Basic Tools:

Shovels
Pick
Tape measure
Level
Chisel
Slap hammer
Tamper
Sand
Crusher fine
Stone
Flagstone
Diamond blade grinder

Figure B

Note: To ensure proper drainage, Tony and Jef plan a slight slope (1-2 degrees) away from the home. Always make sure to call the proper utility companies before digging.

Jef and Tony clear the old landscape down to the subsoil (figure B), leaving a small tree within a berm near the front sidewalk. Later in the project, this tree is encased in a stone planter. To direct water away from the house, they also construct a simple French drain, which is a textile-lined trench filled with coarse gravel.

To level the ground, Jef and Tony spread road base, a mixture of coarse gravel and sand over the entire area (figure C). To complete the ground preparation, they top the road base and berm with sheets of synthetic textile (figure D). This helps protect the road base while filtering water runoff, and preventing weed growth.

Figure C

Figure D

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