If you’re building a new home, you’re probably going to need a retaining wall to keep your house from sliding into the neighbor’s yard. But if you’re not building a new home, you may ask yourself “what is a retaining wall?”
Retaining walls can be built for a variety of purposes, but most people are familiar with the type of wall that keeps a house or building from sliding into the ground or another building.
Let’s dig deep dive into retaining wall.
What is a retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a structure that keeps soil from washing away from a hillside or embankment. It’s built with bricks or stone that is held in place with mortar.
Retaining walls are often made of concrete, brick or stone. Retaining walls can be used to create a barrier between two properties or to build a terrace. Retaining walls can also be used to stabilize a slope.
Retaining walls can be built on flat land or on hillsides. They can be built either horizontally or vertically.
Types of Retaining Walls
There are many types of retaining walls. They can vary in height and thickness. They can be constructed in many different ways.
Retaining walls can be made of stone, brick, concrete or other materials. They can be straight or curved. They can be made in many different shapes, including:
- T-shaped
- C-shaped
- P-shaped
Symptoms of a yard in need of retaining walls
If you have a yard, chances are it needs a little work. When it comes to yards, there are two main types. One is a manicured yard with a few trees and shrubs. The other is a wild and untamed yard with tall grasses and bushes.
Depending on the yard, you may have to take care of different issues. Here are some things to look out for:
Overgrown plants: There are certain plants that are great additions to your yard. However, if you have too many, they can take over and become a nuisance. If you have tall grasses and bushes, you may need to trim them back.
Tall grasses: These are great for adding height to your yard. However, if you have a lot of tall grasses, they may block the sun from your yard. You may need to cut them down so you can enjoy the sunshine.
Poor drainage: If your yard has a lot of clay soil, you may need to dig up the soil and replace it with sand or pea gravel. This will help the water drain away.
Rough soil: If your yard has a lot of rough, rocky soil, you may need to add mulch to the area. Mulch keeps the soil moist and helps it drain better.
Retaining walls: Retaining walls are used to stop soil from eroding and to create a stable base for plants.
If you notice any of these issues, contact a local landscaping company. They can help you get the yard you want.
Retaining Wall Materials
Your first step when building a retaining wall is to decide what you want to use. You have to consider the design of your wall and the look that you want. You can use a wide variety of retaining wall materials to build your wall.
Brick is one of the most common materials used for retaining walls. It is a great choice for a vertical wall. You can also use brick for an inclined wall if you want to make a curved design. Brick is also easy to install, and you can easily get it delivered to your home.
Stone is another popular material to build a retaining wall with. Stone is very durable and can last for decades. However, it can be a bit expensive to buy. If you do want to use stone for your retaining wall, you can either use natural stone or man-made stone.
Concrete is another popular material to build a retaining wall with. Concrete is relatively cheap and easy to work with. It can be poured into the form and then allowed to dry. Once it is dry, you can finish the wall to suit your design needs.
Timber is a popular material to build a retaining wall with. Timber can be used to make a vertical or horizontal retaining wall. The biggest advantage of using timber is that it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
