Retaining Walls: The Basics
Introduction
When you are dealing with drastic changes in elevation within your landscaping, retaining walls may be an important investment decision to consider.
What should you know about retaining walls before building or hiring someone to build one? Once you have decided that you need one, what are the most important factors to consider?
Let’s start with whether or not you should get one at all.
Is a Retaining Wall a Good Idea?
A Durable Stone Retaining Wall Enhancing a Landscaped Garden
Before committing to the idea, it’s important to know whether it’s the best option for you. When should you get a retaining wall? There are a few different circumstances where this is the best option.
If you are having issues with controlling downhill erosion, you may want to consider a retaining wall. Putting up a wall can really help if you have piles of eroded materials clogging up your property in important areas. By decreasing the angle of the slope in question and holding back soil, a retaining wall will address this issue most effectively.
In the case of your foundation being possibly threatened by a sliding hill, a retaining wall is a fantastic idea. Erosion can actually threaten the foundation of your home, and any landscaping professional will agree.
Lastly, consider a retaining wall if your home is downhill from soil fault lines. Even if there isn’t immediate danger of erosion causing damage to your house, it could still happen under different circumstances. Having a retaining wall will give you peace of mind, no matter what happens.
If any of these situations are present in your landscaping, a retaining wall is definitely the right choice for you.
Once you know that building a retaining wall is your best choice, here are some of the basic factors you should consider before building one or hiring someone to build one for you.
The Top 5 Things You Should Know About Retaining Walls
A Gardener Caring for Flowers in a Retaining Wall Planter
Before planning out your own retaining wall, consider these five factors first. They will make the process much smoother for you.
1. Make Them a Beautiful Part of Your Landscaping
While retaining walls are typically used for practical purposes, it will make a big difference if you make it an aesthetically pleasing part of your landscape.
The wall can carve out an area of your yard for a patio or other forms of hardscaping. This makes it both practical and nice to look at. You can also use it for a vertical garden or for vines.
2. Consider the Size Before Hiring Professionals
If you are not sure whether or not you can handle the retaining wall yourself, consider the size first.
For retaining walls that are small and low (probably around 4 feet or less), it may be plausible to handle them on your own. However, for bigger walls, you may want to hire a professional to avoid issues with structure or further erosion. It is also a good idea to check your local building codes before building one that large.
3. Blocks and Stones May Be Easier Than Other Materials
Some of the best materials to consider are manufactured stones and blocks for retaining walls. They will ensure that you keep an even base throughout the wall, and they will stay structurally sound. On top of that, they look really nice.
For the best results, color match the blocks/stones, and space out uneven ones for a uniform look.
4. Don’t Forget About Drainage
For retaining walls that have slopes dropping down to them, you will need additional drainage at the base.
Simply add gravel and a drainage pipe covered in fabric at the base. This will prevent the pipe from clogging and allow drainage to run through smoothly.
5. Keep Everything Level
If you are building the retaining wall yourself, make sure that you are making it as level as possible. In addition to making it look better, it will be a stronger and sturdier part of your landscaping.
Our Final Thoughts on the Basics of Retaining Walls
Beautiful Natural Stone Features Enhancing a Landscape
Whether you decide to build a retaining wall on your own, or have professionals help you do it, it’s important to know the basics of building one well.
Retaining walls are a valuable addition to any landscape, offering both structural support and aesthetic appeal. Whether you're looking to prevent erosion, create usable space on a sloped property, or add visual interest to your yard, choosing the right materials and design is essential. Proper planning, quality construction, and regular maintenance will ensure that your retaining wall remains strong and functional for years to come. With the right approach, you can enhance your outdoor space while protecting the integrity of your landscape.
Originally published on March 28, 2019.
