RipRap Wall

I need to replace a wooden retaining wall on the lake edge. I can't seem to find a contractor interested in doing a small cinderblock wall (60 x 2), so I'm thinking of going the rippap way.

What's the difference between the types of bag cement used for this project? I've been told you need to use the white bag type, which I don't like the look of. Some use the the gray off-the-shelf type from Home Depot.

I like the look of whatever they use along the canals around here, a stepped back, tiered, grayish color but can't find any info on it.

Also, are there any instructions anywhere on how to do this?

 

Will the wall come in constant contact with water?Any chance of flooding happening?

 

If you use a Segmental Retain Wall product... like Allan Block, Stonewall Select, Coventry Wall, TerraceWall, etc... you'll be able to build your walls AND stairs down to the water out of the same product... and without the need for portland cement!

Contact your local masonry supplier for the particular SRW available in your area.

Good luck with your project!

www.southsidebuilders.com
(click on gravity wall systems)

 

The wall is subject to flooding at times during heavy rains.

 

I grew up on a lake and most everyone that lived on it's steep banks had as you said,a "riprap wall".Many of these riprap walls were contained inside large gauge metal "cages",thus preventing floods and erosion from moving stones around and eventually tearing the wall apart.If you want something a bit more pleasing to the eye,you may want to look into some of the products Brick4u had mentioned which will still give you adequate strength if constructed properly.

 

The cages you mention sound like gabions. They have them in a smaller size that you can use as a blanket or to make walls.

I called almost everyone in our phone book for seawalls, retaining walls and could only find one willing to come and look at my situation. A lot of them were unfamilar with the gabions.

There is another product out called GeoWeb, a cellular confinement system; easier then the gabions. Again, there is no one in the area that does this.

The Allan Block sounds good but we have already improved our home to what they call max for any resale return. The house next store and a few others around the lake have the cement bags so the block may look like overkill on my part, plus, I wouldn't have the advantage of seeing it.