Installation Steps for VERSA-LOK Standard, Cobble and Accent

Once your trench is excavated, compact the soil at the bottom. Properly compacted soils are critical to the performance of any VERSA-LOK retaining wall. A hand tamper can be used. But for best results, use a vibratory-plate compactor.   

Versa-Lok segmental retaining walls are installed on a 6-inch leveling pad of compacted crushed-rock base material topped with a half-inch layer of sand. Typically, the leveling pad is the same material that is used for road base aggregate.

Place and compact the crushed rock in the trench to a depth of 5.5 inches. If you’re using a hand tamper, compact the crushed rock in layers no more than 2 inches thick.    

For final leveling, add a half-inch layer of sand on top of the leveling pad. You want to make sure that the leveling pad is level—front to back and side to side.  


Step 2 Install the Base Course

When installing the base course, use a Versa-Lifter for easy placement of units. The prongs on the lifter are inserted into pin holes in each Standard unit. Lifting the handle secures the lifter to the unit and makes for easy, balanced lifting and placement. Ask your VERSA-LOK dealer about the Versa-Lifter.

Begin the base course by carefully placing and aligning units side by side in the center of the leveling pad. A stringline stretched behind the wall will help you position the units in a straight line.

To ensure accurate placement, use the smooth back sides of the units for alignment rather than the textured front faces. The front faces of adjacent units should fit tightly together and unit bottoms should contact the leveling pad completely.