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

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With the foundation prepared, Tony and Jef shape out trenches in the road base for the border and retaining wall base. They make sure the trenches are deep enough to set the border stones flush with the pre-existing cement drive and sidewalk. Tony fills the trenches with sand, and then packs down with a tamper (figure E) to create a smooth base for the stones. He uses sand to level all ground level stones throughout the project.

Along the front sidewalk, Tony begins laying stones for the border and the stones for the front retaining wall/planter base (figure F). Because the stones vary in thickness, he adds or removes sand until each sits flush with the sidewalk and the stones on either side. He uses a slap hammer to set the stones into position (figure G), and then checks each one with a level.

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

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With the front border and wall base complete, Tony sets several courses of stone to build up the front retaining wall. When a stone is too long, he scores with a diamond blade grinder (figure H), and then breaks with a hammer and chisel. As he sets each course, he checks each stone for level, wedging stone shims in the gaps when needed. He also makes sure to stagger the joints from course to give the wall added stability (figure I). Because the planter adds pressure to the wall, he backfills dirt on top of the berm as he goes. After setting each course, Tony "walks the wall" to verify that each stone is tight and stable (figure J). He sets course upon course until the desired height is reached.

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

Figure K

With the front wall complete, Tony continues setting border stones along the pre-existing driveway and cement walkway (figure K). These stones tie in the rough stone of the retaining walls with the stone of the new stone walkway.

Tony returns to completing the retaining walls for the planters and the patio. He repeats the same process as with the front retaining wall, again making sure to backfill the planters to gauge the pressure.

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