Just keep the cold beers a-comin'

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
MWN, I would consider putting down a slotted drain pipe in a bed of shale at the bottom or up a third of the way on the backside of that wall. Put down a shale base, lay the slotted pipe down, put some more shale on that, put down some good landscape fabric, top cover with straw and dirt. Slope the pipe around 1/4" per 4' or so. That would go a long way in helping that wall last even longer......


installed-french-drain.jpg
Land-drains.jpg

That is a great idea. Right now the entire back of the wall is exposed so the task is quite easy. Thanks a ton for the tip. Will post pics when I do it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScotO
That is a great idea. Right now the entire back of the wall is exposed so the task is quite easy. Thanks a ton for the tip. Will post pics when I do it.
You bet brother. That will give you all kinds of drainage.
 
I did not put crushed stone beneath the fieldstone for drainage. I have built walls all around the property and have experienced little to no heaving damage. Every wall the "pros" build have these beds of 3/4 clean all tamped down tight and flat underneath the select stone that comes on the pallets. That is not in my bag of tricks from either a cost standpoint or a design angle.
 
MWN, I would consider putting down a slotted drain pipe in a bed of shale at the bottom or up a third of the way on the backside of that wall. Put down a shale base, lay the slotted pipe down, put some more shale on that, put down some good landscape fabric, top cover with straw and dirt. Slope the pipe around 1/4" per 4' or so. That would go a long way in helping that wall last even longer......

Hmmmmmmmmm...I really can't figure out how you got the name Scotty OVERKILL! Truthfully I wanted to like your post, but since I read you are the most liked, I had to rebel!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gasifier and ScotO
just for the record, Eaton, I bet I've given out more likes than I have received! ;) This place makes me feel normal again. I used to think I was crazy til I found Hearth.com!!

I'll like that... BTW, I had to check your total count yesterday...

You are "liked" very much..... :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eatonpcat
I'll like that... BTW, I had to check your total count yesterday...

You are "liked" very much..... :)
As are you, my friend! I don't think the 'likes' mean as much as the content being 'liked'. I think it just goes to show you that alot of us think alike in most of our ways. As I said earlier in this post, I feel I finally have a home here with my madness at Hearth.com. Sorry for the hijack, MWN. Back to the rock wall......;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eatonpcat
I didn't read through all the posts (colour me 'lazy'), but that is an excellent example of dry stack stone masonry. Are you a stone mason by chance? BTW, sorry for being the Johnny come lately on this thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScotO
Not a stone mason but a fan of stone work. I guess not afraid to try the work either. Built short walls for raised bed all around the house and did the same type of work across 45 feet of the same berm, but on the other side of my driveway. I find myself always focused on the stone work when on jobsites. Sometimes I even get to ask questions!
 
Not quite after yet. Gotta get a machine to move some soil. Got the drains is though. Maybe I can remember to shoot that one tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScotO
Well if you get bored of what you do, you should consider it. There isn't a whole lot of call for that type of work, but it pays well when you do score a contract.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScotO
Looks good. Nice balance of rocks & chinks to fill in.
 
That is definitely a machine assist or multiperson job there. I would not want a helper unless it was a 30hp kubota!
 
One thing I've always loved about New England (and parts of PA) are those wonderful stone fences. To think that those farmers from the 18th & 19th century dug them out of the ground to plant their fields, then created these wonderful mortarless structures to keep the livestock out, and they are still standing!
 
Here is a pic of a cemetery wall that we walked past when we were leaving a fair over the weekend. That round stone is so out of place but it looks right if that makes any sense.

The large round stone makes that wall interesting. It would have been a crime not to use that stone there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Realstone
Great looking walls and I admire the dedication. I love all the old stone walls in New England, especially when I'm walking or hiking in the woods and I pass by one of these walls which is now completely surrounded by woods. Makes one think about the past and how prominent farming was in new england in the past.
 
My attempt a few years back, still holding strong, all set right in tamped sand, sand is about 10 ft deep, well thats as far as I ever dug.
 

Attachments

  • 2331_1038971769747_3893_n.jpg
    2331_1038971769747_3893_n.jpg
    77.2 KB · Views: 176
  • 2331_1038971969752_2796_n.jpg
    2331_1038971969752_2796_n.jpg
    87.1 KB · Views: 176
  • 2331_1038972089755_6122_n.jpg
    2331_1038972089755_6122_n.jpg
    91.7 KB · Views: 177
  • 2331_1038972409763_52_n.jpg
    2331_1038972409763_52_n.jpg
    62 KB · Views: 164
My attempt a few years back, still holding strong, all set right in tamped sand, sand is about 10 ft deep, well thats as far as I ever dug.
I love it! The beauty of natural over interlock and precast in an application like yours is that it actually looks better with age. The stone acquires a natural 'patina' and hopefully a fine moss will fill in all the gaps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eatonpcat
just for the record, Eaton, I bet I've given out more likes than I have received! ;) This place makes me feel normal again. I used to think I was crazy til I found Hearth.com!!

What do you mean, "you used to think I was crazy"? ;lol That is good Scotty. What a comedian.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScotO
Nice work myway. Very nice. Thanks for the pics. Did you buy that stone? Or is it on your property?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.