Building a Wall

• With relatively little effort and for reasonable cost, a faux stone retaining wall can create a level area that augments the appearance and function of your sloped lawn. Faux stone is one of many precast wall materials available that can make your retaining wall look like an expensive professional job, even though it's rather simple to build and relatively inexpensive. Before making major modifications to your property, though, be sure the rules or laws of the homeowner's association or other authorities allow such work. Some wall-building projects might have to be inspected and approved before they begin.
  
  

Tools and Materials

• Finding good faux stone is probably no more difficult than taking a trip to the hardware store. The materials come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The easiest to work with are no more than 8 inches to 10 inches tall and have an interior lip for easy interlocking. Blocks with rounded surfaces are also easier for creating walls that curve with the landscape. The wall will need backfill material such as sand, and porous landscaping fabric. The tools involved include wood stakes, a carpenter's level, mason's line and a digging implement. It is also recommended that safety equipment glasses, gloves and back support be used at all times.
  
  

Procedure

• To begin, start at the lowest point of the wall and dig a trench for the foundation deep enough to cover the entire first layer of stone blocks so the soil holds it in place. Place a thin layer of sand first as a base, then the blocks. With the first layer in place, tamp the blocks down until they are level. Use the stakes and mason's line to mark off the ends of the wall and the final desired height, keeping in mind that a faux stone retaining wall should be built no more than 3 feet tall to remain safe and stable. With these markers in place, lay the blocks in place, stack to the full height and periodically check for level. Depending on the design of the bricks, it may be necessary to dig successive trenches if the wall is stepped or the ground is extremely sloped. Use the level one last time to assess the top row of blocks and adjust as necessary. Line the cavity behind the wall with porous landscape fabric and sand. Top it off with sod or surface features.