Outdoor Room Ideas - Use Bushes and Walls Several days ago, I was on magical Mt. Desert Island in Downeast Maine. I was visiting my daughter and granddaughter. Seven years have passed since I helped build her quaint three-story home with an attached garage. I was the plumber, electrician, and radiant heat installer. My daughter […]
Clinker Brick Wall - Stunning and Unique My guess is that most of the bricks you’ve seen in your lifetime have been very uniform in shape. Each brick is rectangular. This is by design in almost all cases. The length of a brick plus one mortar joint in the USA is supposed to equal 8 […]
Small Retaining Wall Tips - What is Considered Small? Last week I shared with you the news about my recent trip to southern California. I was fortunate to spend time with a dear friend and his wife. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a person who’s more in love with a home than him. […]
Gravity Retaining Wall Systems - There are Quite a Few You might have a retaining wall in your near future. I can understand why as man has used them for thousands of years to create flat, or gently sloping, terraces on hillsides. Retaining walls, though, are far more complex than you might imagine. Tall retaining […]
This column appeared in the February 29, 2020 edition of Tim's newsletter. DEAR TIM: I want to build a retaining wall that’s going to look great for years. At my last house, I had a short retaining wall around a patio that started to lean out towards the lawn. The little wall was but 10 […]
Rock Retaining Walls Question #1: Tim, I read a column on your website about rock retaining walls. I’m having a hard time believing you can build a lasting wall and not use mortar between the stones. I’d love to just build a wall and not have to use mortar. What’s the real secret? Karen - […]
Building a rock retaining wall can add a lot of your property. But a rock retaining wall is a major project. Retaining wall rocks are heavy and the rock retaining wall design must be able to withstand a tremendous amount of pressure.
Granite Retaining Walls Built Right Last for 1,000 Years or More Granite retaining walls come in all shapes, sizes, and heights. They can be built with or without mortar. Granite is best because it's: strong resists erosion easy to shape looks good Granite may not be available where you live, but it's very common here […]
Wall Cap Dominoes - A Game Played With Big Blocks! Free & Fast Bids CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors that can do a domino demonstration for you! Watch how builders have fun on a job site playing wall cap dominoes. I never did this, but am inclined to try […]
Retaining Wall Repair Cost TIPS Consult with a structural engineer Engineer has honest contractor referrals Develop a repair plan DIY repair with inexpensive materials CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! DEAR TIM: The retaining wall at my older home is in sad shape. A contractor told me that if I don’t tear […]
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