Landscape Newsletter Issue 16
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Renovate with AB Style
Hard work pays off for this Atlanta, Georgia homeowner whose 1940's home, like so many others across the country was in need of a face lift. The owners had purchased the property with the intent of cleaning up the home inside and out, by adding additional rooms, a swimming pool and an outdoor retreat.

The biggest obstacle this project faced was the replacement of an existing concrete block wall that had been constructed when the house was built. After spending months looking at design options, the contractor, Classic Pools & Spa's, recommended using Allan Block as the perfect solution to replace the failing concrete wall, support the new deck, and add the elegant look of natural stone to the poolside area.

Patterned retaining wall

retaining wall with corners

The Allan Block sales representative for Lafarge, worked closely with the homeowners and the contractor and found exactly what they were looking for - the AB Collection with an AB Ashlar Blend Pattern Once the style and color was determined, structure and stability needed to be addressed. The AB sales rep. recommended that an engineer be brought in to address the slope conditions and drainage issues of the site.

Now that the plan and the design were complete, it was time to build. However, before construction could begin, the existing concrete wall needed to be demolished.

This wall had been installed using rebar and soil ties to reinforce the structure. The entire demolition took the 5 man crew 2 weeks to complete due to the location and amount of work it took to clear the site.

Once the site was clear it only took two weeks for the contractor, who had never installed an AB Ashlar pattern before, to complete the work. To their surprise the pattern did not add much time to the installation process simply because of the repeating pattern of the AB Ashlar Blend™.

Once the wall was completed, the pool and deck were added and the homeowners couldn't be happier with the new and improved outdoor living space.

Allan Block retaining wall with patterns

Tips and Tricks for Building with Allan Block
If Allan Block retaining wall products are so easy to install with no special skills required, then why isn't every installation perfect? While very few things in life are truly perfect, the fact is most wall projects are built under less than favorable conditions. While you may not be able to change the conditions of your site, there are a few "tips and tricks" for building with Allan Block that can make your next wall project a little more perfect. Let's take a look at just a few:

Offsetting Blocks

Keep the blocks interlocking by stacking each course of blocks so that the vertical seams are offset from the blocks below in running bond or by at least 1/4 of the block length.



Offsetting Blocks

Working with a Clean Surface

Before stacking up each course of blocks, use a broom to brush off any wall rock or other debris. To remove the raised bits of concrete sometimes left on the blocks during manufacturing, the solution is simple. Place an AB Block on top and slide the block into place across the tops of the lower course. Running a plate compactor on top of the blocks, as recommended, will also help to clean any rough spots.

Sliding Block

Water Management During Construction

Where does the water go? Routing water away from the back of the wall is extremely important to the performance of your wall structure. What we often forget to think about is managing water during the construction process. Stage your materials so that surface runoff is not directed improperly. It is also good practice to cover infill soils and the entire project at the end of each day to prevent water saturation if rain is in the forecast.

Water Management

Site Access

When planning your project, make sure you can access your wall site with construction equipment and materials. For sites with restricted access, plan out where you will stage and store your block, wall rock and other materials.

Site Access

AB Reinforcement™ Grid

The small roll, AB Reinforcement Grid is strong enough in both directions to be simply be rolled out along the wall. It is available in widths of 3 ft (1.9m) and 4 ft (1.2m) and is 50 ft (15m) long. This grid’s strength and size has been developed specifically for residential walls under 6 ft (1.8m) high.

AB geogrid AB Grid roll

Large Roll Grid

Large roll geogrids are strongest along the roll or machine direction and have to be cut to the design length. They are best suited for commercial projects and all walls over 6 ft (1.8m) high. Check with your local dealer for type and availability.

Large Roll Grid

Proper Wing Removal

When building outside curves one or both of the wings on the back of the blocks will need to be removed. To do this efficiently, place the block on its face and use a hammer to strike the wing where it meets the rest of the block in a downward motion. This will remove only the wing leaving the rest of the block intact.

Wing Removal

Ending Walls with Ease

The option you choose for ending your wall should enhance the overall landscape of the project. With Allan Block, you can turn wall ends into the hillside with smooth flowing curves, corners or simple step-downs.



Inside Curve Step Down

Plantable Step Down