Installation Guide
6-IN X 16-IN BASIC RETAINING WALL BLOCK
16” Basic Retaining Wall Block is perfect for retaining walls,
planters, borders, tree rings, and straight or curved walls up
to 3 feet high (914mm). Rear lip connecon provides a
consistent setback making installaon simple and easy.
No special pins or connectors needed for installaon.
Rough-cut stone finish combined with natural color tones
enhances any landscape. DIY-friendly open core reduces the
unit's weight and provides a handle for easy carrying
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Visit www.call811.com before any digging or excava-
on. Dig a trench approximately 10”(254mm) deep by
16”(406.4mm) wide to your desired length and shape
(straight and/or curves) being sure to remove large
rocks, roots, organic material, etc..
Use a vibratory plate compactor or hand tamper
to compact the freshly excavated subgrade
material. Add paver base material in 2” layers,
spraying with water to keep moist while com-
pacng. Repeat process unl final thickness of
base is reached. (approx. 6” (152.4mm))
Always start installing your retaining wall at the low-
est elevaon, working to the highest. Place first
block on compacted base being sure to level block
from front to back and side to side. Place addional
block on base course, ensuring that edges are touch-
ing and level in both direcons. For walls that have
both curved and straight areas, start the straight area
first and then add curved area. Finish placement of
all base blocks before moving to the second course.
NOTE: Removal of rear lip on first course of block can
make installaon and leveling of first course easier.
Begin placing the second course of block at straight wall
areas being sure to center each unit over the joints of the
blocks below in a “running bond” or 1 over 2 pa ern.
Lips on rear of block should be facing down. Fill block
cores and backfill area behind wall (see cross secon)
with clean, crushed stone/gravel for proper drainage. Do
not use pea gravel. Proceed to the next course of block,
core filling and backfilling as you progress. Install cap
unit on top course of wall using an exterior grade con-
crete adhesive. Backfill and compact to final grade be-
hind cap to complete wall.
Need Image
Need Image
To remove rear lips of wall block place
unit tail first on ground at an angle strik-
ing the lip firmly with hammer/mini-
sledge & safety chisel. Always wear
safety glasses and safety gloves.
Building Curves: A radius as small as 3’ can be
built with 16” Basic Wall block. The bond
paern of convex & concave curves will ad-
just sideways. If a stack bond situaon oc-
curs, remove the rear lip as shown or cut
units to return back to running bond paern.