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1. 
   peteshlagor | Jul 20, 2008 04:42am | #1

   This is in Spring Lake (91581.1):

   View Image

   Fortunately the soil is all sand.  And there by the lake, frost depth is 24", not 42.

   But get yourself tied up with a big ceement block company (like Best Block in Warren -ask for Jamie).  Those split faced that you see around the fireplace came from them.  I bastidized them (split them lengthwise) for the mortared work.  To the left, you can barely see two retaining walls converge.  One is the lower wall (the hole has been dug down to 6' below grade) 3' high.  The higher wall also has an exposure of 3'.  (sorry you can't see it all in this pic, but go to the thread referenced in the first line and you'll see more details and pictures).  Between them is planting beds for roses, bushes and such.  At 3' or below, you circumvent any code issues.

   Retaining wall blocks are designed to be self supporting, draining, and allow for movement.  Don't do a thing until you get their installation guidelines booklet.  It'll go over the engineering and details.  

   The pavers sit on sand.  The stairs are composed of triple layers of the biggest blocks they have (6"h x 18"w x 12"d - making the base 18" thick), with pavers laid on top.  The front row of pavers on each step are glued down.  The ones behind are sitting in place.