Homeowner answers
Stonework & Outdoor Living
Retaining walls, paver edges, brick and stone accents, and planning an outdoor room.
10 answers, newest first RSS feed
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How do I build a stepping stone or gravel path that does not shift and sink?
The secret is the same as for any hardscape: a compacted base and a contained edge. Stepping stones each sit on a few inches of compacted crushed rock with a…
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Do I need a French drain or a surface drain to fix the wet spot in my yard?
Match the drain to the water. Standing puddles after rain and water sheeting off a patio or roof are surface water, and the fix is a grade correction, a…
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Should I seal my pavers, and what is the right way to clean them?
Sealing is optional, and the right answer depends on what you want. A breathable penetrating sealer helps pavers resist stains and slows efflorescence and moss…
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Tree roots are lifting my pavers. Can I fix the walkway without killing the tree?
Usually, yes. Pavers are the most forgiving surface to have over roots because they can be lifted, the base adjusted and the pavers reset without demolition…
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Why are my pavers sinking and spreading at the edges, and how are they fixed?
Pavers sink when the base under them was too thin, never compacted, or has been washed out by water; they spread when there is no edge restraint holding the…
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How can I make my sloped backyard usable with terraces?
Terracing turns one slope into two or three level platforms held by low walls, each with its own purpose: a dining terrace at the house, a lawn or garden level…
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My retaining wall is leaning and bulging. Can it be repaired or does it need to be rebuilt?
It depends on how far it has moved and why. A wall that is slightly out of plumb with a sound base can sometimes be saved by excavating behind it, adding the…
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When does a retaining wall need a permit or an engineer in Carlsbad?
As consumer information: the California Building Code's exemption covers retaining walls up to four feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the…
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Why does a retaining wall need drainage behind it, and what should be back there?
Water, not soil, is what pushes retaining walls over. Saturated soil behind a wall weighs more and presses far harder than dry soil, and if that water has…
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Which retaining wall is best for my yard: segmental block, poured concrete or stone?
For most North County yards with walls under about four feet, segmental block is the practical choice: it builds curved or straight walls without mortar…
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