The Granite Retaining Wall as a Solution – 2018
The Reed Corporation/Olde New England Granite has been involved – as the general contractor – in a two year hardscape and landscape rehabilitation project in Lynnfield. In 2017 we posted a blog about how we used our reclaimed granite for the front entry and stairs makeover in the first phase.
One of the final aspects of the project – on this year’s schedule posed a bit of a challenge…
Our customer wished to “bulk-up” his property line buffer screening adjacent to his driveway. The utilizable space for planting was limited… and the grade dropped off into a ravine – which would minimize the screening effect of even mature plants.
WHAT TO DO? Well, build a retaining wall to contain the on-grade planting area, would work… but it would need to be practical for us to build, sturdy, and cost effective… the boys at Olde New England Granite had the answer.
Our Longfellow Bridge Block material was just the ticket. The blocks were selected from our inventory, measured, split for size and transported to the jobsite. The pieces are sized to be easily handled by a mini-excavator.
The wall footing area was marked and the ground cover was stripped to be later planted below the wall.
The footing is prepared. Processed gravel would then be added and compacted.
Use of the laser level and a string line helped set the grade and position of the blocks. The mini-excavator with straps sets the blocks on the compacted base. Note the preliminary trench dug under the block which allows for removing the strap with ease – so the block doesn’t move once it is set.
The blocks are tapped in by the excavator to fine-tune the height.
Our Granite blocks used in this application provide structural integrity – with a broader base than top which allows for batter (think Jersey barriers)… and that can be tight butted with no jointing needed.
In two hours the retaining wall was completed then backfilled.
The landscaping was completed with a hedgerow of mature Taxus Hatfield Yews.
And the previously stripped Pachysandra was replanted on the backside of the wall for erosion control. Problem Solved!
