- 1). Determine the size and location of your project. Take measurements to calculate the volume of stone you will need. Sizes of river stones vary, and you will want some larger and some smaller to vary the size as you stack. Calculate the amount of stone you need by the number of square feet of space you are covering, not by the number of stones.
- 2). Select stones based on the height and dimensions of your project. The most common dry-stacked structure is a stone retaining wall. This type of structure needs larger base stones, and smaller stones in graduating sizes as the wall gets higher. Select some mid-sized stones for a cap on the wall if you desire. River stone is an excellent dry stacking stone because the stones are worn smooth and often flat by the action of the water.
- 3). Sheer off the slope you are placing the stone wall against. It is best to lean the stones into the wall as you go up for support. Sheering off the slope means cutting straight down into the earth, parallel to where the stone wall will be placed. You can use small equipment, such as a compact excavator, to do the initial cutting away of the earth, but finish it with a hand shovel to make it smooth. Match the sheer to the height and location of the wall, giving it a flat surface to lean back against.
- 4). Dig a trench 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide to base your stones. Lay out the base river stones you are using near the trench, but not in it. Examine them to decide which stones best fit and begin fitting them together. When a layer is complete, fill behind and around the stones with sand. Do this after each layer.
- 5). Trim or shape stones with the chisel or stone saw to adjust the fit. The tighter the joints, the better. River stones often have a smooth surface and will set together well, but some may have odd shapes or rounded edges that you need to adjust.
- 6). Continue laying out your stones according to graduated size and stacking them. Eye the stones first to see which seem to fit, similar to working a jigsaw puzzle. A good rule of thumb: If you turn a stone three or four times and it does not seem to fit, put it aside and find another one for that spot.
- 7). Alternate the seams between stones on layers by choosing some longer river stones and then shorter ones, so the upward seams are not connected. This adds strength to the wall.
- 8). Cap the wall with some elongated and larger river stones along the top to finish off the wall.
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