Do it Myself

Installation Tips

To complete your project, you will need the following hand tools: shovel, tape measure, hammer, chisel, carpenter’s level, stakes, string line, garden hose, safety glasses, gloves, pencil, square.

For larger projects you may also need a skid loader, compactor, wheelbarrow and a circular cut-off saw with a masonry blade. Other requirements include a 4" diameter flexible polypropylene pipe (drain tile), a supply of sand and gravel (3/4" minus aggregate with fines) for the base, and gravel (3/4" free-draining aggregate without fines) to use as backfill.

1. Using a shovel or a skid loader, dig a trench about 24" wide and deep enough to fit the required amount of buried block and compacted base. For walls 4' high and under, bury one course of units. For walls taller than 4', consult a design guide book for design information. Total wall height includes the height of any buried courses.
2. Firmly compact the soil in the bottom of the trench. Lay 6" of compactable base (sand and gravel) in the bottom of the trench and compact.
3. Place the first layer of Anchor units without lips on the prepared base (lips must be manually knocked off units before placement). Position the units side by side, in full contact with the base, and level in both directions using your carpenter’s level. Backfill with free-draining aggregate.
4. Continue assembling additional courses by placing units in a staggered relationship to the course beneath , pulling each unit forward until secure NOTE: Use gravel (free-draining aggregate) to backfill each additional course as it is installed.
5. Place drain tile behind the wall at grade to allow water to drain from the backfill. (Click here to link to the video for this application) Outlet the drain tile through the wall at every low point or every 75' of wall length and around the ends of the wall. Backfill with free-draining gravel 12" behind the wall, in 6" layers. Fill in the voids. Organic soil or clay-type soil is not recommended for backfill material.
6. Fill any remaining areas behind the wall with soil. Compact every 12". Repeat steps 4, 5, 6and 7until the wall reaches the desired height. For walls taller than 4', consult a qualified engineer for information concerning proper design, backfill and geosynthetic reinforcement.
7. Firmly compact native soil every 12" behind the wall. Do not compact directly on top of the units.
8. You may need partial blocks. To split a block, use a hammer and chisel to score the block on all sides. Pound the chisel on the score line until the block splits. If the block does not split easily, you may need to use a circular cut-off saw with a masonry blade. Read and understand the operating manual before using a saw. Always wear eye protection when splitting blocks.
9. After wall has been buit to your desired height, begin capping the wall. Begin at the lowest elevation and begin placing the cap units on top of the wall. Once the caps are all in place, adhere caps to the wall with a high quality cap glue. Some caps may need to be split or cut for final fit. Use a string line to ensure propoer alignment.
10. The final step is to back fill to the finished grade of your cap, then finally clean your project, removing any excess debris and enjoy your new Anchor Retaining Wall.

Contact us if you would like to have a copy of Installation Guidelines free of charge sent to you or for instructions on installing jumper units, free standing walls and special applications.

How to Build a Bella Stone Interlocking Concrete Paver project
A quick course on pavers

1. Excavate the installation area to approximately 6" larger on all sides than the actual finished size.
2. Install paver base to a compacted finished thickness of 4” for patios and walkways and 8” for driveways. Paver base should be installed in 2” increments and thoroughly compacted. The final grade should slope away from the house, dropping 1/4” per foot for drainage.
3. Lay two 1” diameter pipes parallel on base. Spread 1” of play sand over compacted base. Screed the play sand by dragging a 2” x 4” board over pipes. Remove pipes and fill void with sand.
4. Install Barrier™ Edging and Barrier™ Spikes around the entire project according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Install paver edge 6” from edge of compacted aggregate.
5. Lay paving stones in the desired pattern. If the pattern requires cutting, the paving stones can be cut with a circular saw using a masonry blade.
6. Compact the installed Bella Stone Pavers with a plate compactor in both directions with at least two passes. Once compacted, spread play sand on the paving stones and sweep into joints. Compact again to ensure that all joints are completely full. Repeat as necessary. Sweep off remaining sand from paving stones.
   Substitute polymeric joint sand in place of play sand to inhibit weed growth between stones.