AJB Landscaping & Fence

This massive, 4-tier retaining wall includes an integrated stairway, landscaping and a paver patio above the top tier.

Massive Retaining Wall Replaces Dated Rock Garden with a Striking, Refined Look

We are very proud to present this multi-tiered retaining wall project we created for the Nylund family on Lake Lawrence, south of Yelm, Washington. The wall is built with Western Interlock Chateau block in a random pattern. This comprehensive project also included building new decks and stairways with composite decking material on either side of the home, new sod below retaining wall, rerouting of the irrigation waterline, creating a new drainage system, and installing a paver patio above the top tier of the retaining wall. In addition (not pictured here), we regraded their driveway and added new rock features to the front of the home.

The old rock wall (shown in the "before and after" gallery pictures below) was steadily deteriorating over time due to poor installation and inadequate drainage. The Nylands also preferred a more modern look, and wanted a clean, safe environment for their grandchildren to play in when they visit.

Before we could build the new retaining wall system, we had to remove the old rock wall, stone by stone. Then, to prep the foundation and rough in the tiers, we brought in a CAT excavator. Finishing the foundation required old-fashioned wheelbarrows and shovels. It is critical when building retaining wall that each tier is perfectly level, both side to side and front to back; otherwise, any imbalance will amplify as each course of stones is added to the wall.

Once the tiers were prepped, we then carefully excavated for the for stone stairway. This had to be meticulously planned so that it would end up level at the top of yard to match the height of the paver patio.

To secure the wall to the hillside and ensure long-term structural integrity, we installed a special mesh fabric every 16" of height that connects to the blocks and is held in place as the wall is backfilled. As we installed the blocks, we tied them together with a concrete adhesive for maximum stability. 

The Nylands chose us for this big project not because we were the cheapest: In fact, our bid was substantially higher than the lowest bid. They chose us because they wanted a top-notch final product, and based on our online reviews, word-of-mouth referrals and years of experience building retaining walls and landscaping systems, they were confident AJB Services was the right choice. We made sure not to disappoint them.

Image Gallery

Click on the thumbnails to see the images. You can scroll through the images by pressing the left and right arrows on your keyboard, or by swiping your screen left and right.

• Before and After: Tiered Retaining Wall with Stairway Before and After: Tiered Retaining Wall with Stairway
• Before and After: Close-up of Retaining Wall and Stairway Before and After: Close-up of Retaining Wall and Stairway
• Before and After: Side View of Retaining Wall, Stairway Before and After: Side View of Retaining Wall, Stairway
• Before and After: Retaining Wall and Decks Before and After: Retaining Wall and Decks
• Before and After: Paver Patio Before and After: Paver Patio
• Before and After: Paver Patio Before and After: Paver Patio
• Panorama from Above the Stairs Panorama from Above the Stairs
• Panorama of Integrated Stairway Panorama of Integrated Stairway
• Panorama from Below Retaining Wall Panorama from Below Retaining Wall
• View of Lake Lawrence from Paver Patio View of Lake Lawrence from Paver Patio
• Twin Composite Decks Twin Composite Decks
• Retaining Wall and Landscape Beds Retaining Wall and Landscape Beds
• Paver Stairway Leading to Back Lawn Paver Stairway Leading to Back Lawn
• Close-Up of Landscape Beds Close-Up of Landscape Beds
• This Is Our Glamour Shot! This Is Our Glamour Shot!
• Retaining Wall and Stairway Retaining Wall and Stairway
• Paver Stairway, Bottom View Paver Stairway, Bottom View
• Paver Stairway, Top View Paver Stairway, Top View
• Paver Stairway, Bottom View Paver Stairway, Bottom View
• Paver Stairway, Bottom View Paver Stairway, Bottom View
• Looking Down from the Deck Looking Down from the Deck
• Landscape Bed and Retaining Wall Lower Tier Landscape Bed and Retaining Wall Lower Tier
• A View from the Pier A View from the Pier
• Lower Retaining Wall - Side View Lower Retaining Wall - Side View
• A View from the Pier A View from the Pier
• A View from the Pier A View from the Pier
• A View from the Pier A View from the Pier
• A View from the Back Lawn A View from the Back Lawn
• The Tower Tier of Retaining Wall The Tower Tier of Retaining Wall
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