Maintaining stable, erosion-free slopes around your home takes know-how. As seasons change and years pass, sloped areas may gradually weaken if left unguarded. This article provides homeowners with the fundamentals to evaluate problem spots and tell-tale clues that your property could benefit from added support in the form of a retaining wall. You will learn what to look for in terms of slope conditions, drainage problems, and indicators of instability that mean a retaining wall may be a smart investment.
A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or other material on a sloped surface. It creates a steady vertical or near-vertical division between different ground levels.
Retaining walls prevent erosion, stabilize sloping terrain, and allow development in areas with elevation changes. They are commonly used to restrain soil erosion along driveways, walkways and property lines or to create more usable space on slanted land.
The main types of retaining walls include gravity walls, cantilever walls, counterfort walls, and sheet pile walls.
Gravity walls rely only on their weight while cantilever walls jut out from the top of slopes with their above-ground portions leaning inward.
Counterfort walls have horizontal reinforcements that connect the wall face to retained soil.
Sheet pile walls employ interlocking metal sheets installed underground to form a continuous wall facade.
There are a few signs that your property could benefit from adding a retaining wall. Pay attention to the following potential issues:
If your property slopes downward at a noticeable grade, erosion and drainage problems are more likely to occur without a retaining wall. Sloped terrain puts soils at higher risk of being washed away by rain or melting snow. A retaining wall can help stabilize steep gradients.
Have you noticed dirt washing down your hillside during or after rainstorms? Areas of bare earth where grass no longer grows are signs erosion may be undermining your yard’s stability over time. Erosion threatens foundations and drives the need for retaining structures.
Poor drainage from lack of proper grading can lead to erosion and make your yard soggy. Standing water, watermarks on your foundation, or flooded walkways may mean your slope’s drainage requires addressing with a retaining wall and bed of gravel or perforated pipes behind it.
Visible cracks in your foundation walls or basement floors could indicate settling from soil movement. Retaining walls prevent slumping and erosion that jeopardize your home’s structural integrity at its base. Evaluating this potential risk sooner rather than later is wise.
Paying attention to these signs will help you determine if further evaluating your property’s need for a retaining wall is worth your time. Addressing issues proactively helps prevent costly damage down the road.
To get a full picture of your property and what challenges a retaining wall could help solve, carefully consider the following factors:
Take stock of the steepness of any slopes on your property. The grade or steepness will affect the type and size of retaining wall needed.
Consider your soil composition and observe if signs of erosion are present.
Check how water flows across your land – any low spots, flooding or drainage into the home’s foundation? Low spots often need terracing.
Consider proximity to the home and any nearby structures that a wall could support.
Look for cracks forming in your foundation and check the structure’s overall stability.
Evaluating these specific on-site conditions will help determine if a retaining wall makes sense.
For very large or complex projects involving retaining walls over 4 feet tall, or if you notice issues like crumbling foundations or significant washouts, calling in a hardscape contractor is suggested. An expert can assess potential problems from soil conditions or how your slope interacts with neighboring properties that an untrained homeowner may miss. Their analysis gives you a contractor’s informed perspective.
Once you decide to build a retaining wall for your property, consider the attractive advantages it provides:
Retaining walls create dramatic terraced landscapes that look much more finished than a bare, straight slope. Arranging planting beds, shrubs and concrete and paver patio spaces on different Levels gives visual depth and curb appeal. Natural stone or decorative blocks add beauty. Proper wall types, heights and layouts integrate well with your whole yard design.
Beyond just stabilizing slopes, retaining walls improve drainage by directing controlled runoff away from structures. They prevent erosion that ruins landscaping and risks downhill flooding issues. Retaining walls support additional flat surfaces for enjoying your outdoor spaces safely. Segmented slopes better withstand forces of nature than an unstable hillside.
By solving problems and maximizing usable spaces creatively, retaining walls boost a home’s decor, functionality and overall desirability. They reflect a well-designed, polished landscaping upgrade that improves first impressions to potential buyers. Less risk of latent issues like settling also provides reassurance. A retaining wall comfortably pays itself back in added home equity if you eventually sell.
The right retaining wall fits attractively into your yard while protecting assets functionally. Those are very compelling benefit reasons to seriously consider if it fits your property needs.
With an understanding of your needs and location specifics, you can select the best retaining wall type:
Common options include poured concrete, natural stone, landscaping timbers, and interlocking manufactured blocks made from concrete, plastic or soil cement. Consider durability, aesthetics, and permeability for proper landscape drainage system with your soil type and wall purpose.
Slope grade, soil composition, wall material strength and purpose all affect sizing. Taller walls require specialty engineering or stepped terraces for safety.
Contacting an experienced landscape contractor for guidance specific to your property makes sense. Permit rules also influence wall dimensions in some jurisdictions.
With your unique needs, landscape, and local code factors in mind, selecting the right retaining wall type sets your project up for safe function and longevity. Consult experts when in doubt, as stability should never be compromised.
Taking time to properly assess whether a retaining wall makes sense pays off in preventing costly damage versus reacting to issues later. An integrated design fits structures, landscape, and site conditions beautifully for generations of enjoyment.
If you are looking to hire best landscaping company in Fredericton, NB for your retaining wall project, Atlantic Hardscape and Concrete is an excellent option to consider.
We are a well-established, full-service landscaping and hardscaping company based in Fredericton. They have over 15 years of experience designing and installing various landscape and hardscaping elements for both residential and commercial properties throughout the Fredericton area.
When it comes to retaining walls, Our team is very knowledgeable in determining the ideal size, shape and materials based on site conditions like slope grade, soil composition and drainage requirements. We can work with you to customize a wall design that meets your functional needs while complementing the overall aesthetics of your property.
In addition to retaining walls, Atlantic Hardscape and Concrete also offers a full suite of landscape design installation services including patios, walkways, fences and landscaping. Our professional, reliable crews take pride in completing every project to the highest standards.
As a general rule, if the grade change or slope is more than 4 feet deep, engineering is recommended for safety. Walls 3-4 feet tall also require additional reinforcements like geogrids or geo-fabric for stability depending on the soil.
Proper design dictates walls be installed with the tallest sections at the bottom of slopes for maximum stability. Drainage behind and through the wall must also be addressed to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup that threatens integrity.
Over time, erosion widens the top of slopes, eventually causing materials like soil to collapse downhill in sections. Nearby structures then face settlement risks from instability. Sloped areas also become muddy, unsightly hazards without terracing or barriers.
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