Help Building a Rock Wall, Please?

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BlHeron Lakewood, WA Aug 01, 2010

I have a unique situation and I'm not sure where to start. I have a drive-through driveway that slopes from level with the highway at both ends, down about 4-1/2 ft lower at the bottom. On the highway side I have a curved triangular bed with trees and shrubs. At the lowest point of the triangle the bed is about 6 ft wide (edge of driveway to highway), at the highest it about 1 ft. Hope this makes sense. The point of the triangle would be in the middle of the bottom of the driveway.

Currently there is a stacked retaining wall of slate-like rock (it's been there for almost 40 years) . It is only 18" high at the bottom of the driveway. Because of runoff from the highway I would like to raise the wall level with the highway. I really don't want to have to take out the wall that is already there, and have access to a LOT of smooth river rock in all sizes. Ideally I would like to make and old fashioned rock and cement wall. I'd like to raise it to at least 5-1/2 feet.

I'm pretty handy at this sort of thing, but have never attempted a wall like this. I could really use some help/advice. Would I have to take the existing rock out and start from scratch (hope not)? How would I start the new rock wall "if" I can add it to the top of the existing one? How wide should I make the wall and do I need any kind of reinforcement?

I'm clueless about where to begin or how to proceed. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
BlHeron

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 02, 2010

Do a search on DIY and HGTV for rock wall videos they have a few and may help

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tanowicki Portland, OR Aug 02, 2010

Check with the local building department. For a wall of 5 1/2 ft tall you may need engineering. That's really tall to just build from looking up instructions online.

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