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Slope Block™ is an easy do-it-yourself retaining wall. The individual blocks interlock together without any mortar or pins. Here are some helpful hints to enable you to achieve the beauty you desire in a retaining wall project. For more assistance, contact our helpful office staff.

General installation guidelines apply to all lip-type retaining walls.

Step 1: Planning Your Project

Prepare a layout for your Slope Block™ retaining wall project. To help plan the number of blocks you will need for your project, multiply the face area times two to figure the number of blocks required. For help measuring curves, lay a garden hose along the proposed length of your wall; then straighten it out and measure its length.

Step 2: Preparing the Base

Excavate the soil in the location where the retaining wall is to be, assuring 6" of space on the rear side of the wall for gravel backfill. Dig a trench for the first course of stone 16" wide by 6" deep. Fill the first 3" to 4" of the trench with 3/4" minus gravel and compact well, making sure that the gravel is level.

Step 3: Setting the Bottom Course

Set the first block on the gravel base. It will be necessary to dig out a small amount of the compacted base for the lip on the bottom rear of the block, so that the leveling portion of it is level in all directions. Settle the block into the gravel base, using a heavy rubber mallet to seat it firmly. Set adjacent blocks in the same manner, keeping them level with each other. Place 3/4" minus gravel behind the first course and compact.

Step 4: Setting Remaining Courses and Back Filling

Set the next course, making sure that the joints do not line up with the previous course. Back fill with gravel and compact again before setting the next course. Place all the remaining courses until the wall has reached your desired height. As the courses rise, the wall will have a tendency to lean back. Use the compacted gravel back fill to keep it straight by tamping lightly behind the rear of the stones, maintaining the same vertical angle from top to bottom.

Step 5: Finishing The Wall

Set the top course and back fill to within 3" of the top. Finish back fill area with soil to the desired height. The top course can either be held in place by gravity, or fixed with an approved flexible adhesive. Slope Block can also be capped off with our Arena Stone held in place by mortar.