Retaining Wall Contractors Near Me Offer Great Results
Severely sloping ground presents a host of problems including difficulties in mowing and erosion. Building a retaining wall can level the earth and add beauty to your property. When searching for retaining wall contractors near me, choose Landscape Solutions & Design, Inc.
Essential Parts Of A Retaining Wall
Often, landscaping projects appear to be simple, easy undertakings. Retaining walls fall into this category. Browse Pinterest and you’ll find plenty of pictures of beautiful outdoor structures along with seemingly simple instructions.
However, landscapers carefully engineer retaining walls to counteract gravity and pressure. Moreover, every wall must address 4 important elements:
1. Foundation
When building any type of outdoor structure, you must have a strong foundation. Without it, your wall will soon topple. Primarily, foundations distribute the weight of the wall, provide stability, and anchor your outdoor structure to the ground.
Typically, your choice of material for the foundation depends upon the height of your structure. Smaller walls can use gravel while taller ones will require poured concrete.
Of course, before you begin to dig the trench for your foundation, call 811. When you do, your utility companies will come to your property to mark underground lines, pipes, and cables.
2. Support
Depending on the height of your wall, you may need additional structural support to keep it from falling down. Typically, walls higher than 3 feet tall will require reinforcements or anchors. Additionally, vertical walls without a “step back” construction need additional reinforcement.
3. Drainage
Probably the biggest cause of retaining wall decay is water. Without proper drainage, water will collect behind your wall exerting enormous pressure. If this pressure exceeds the strength of your outdoor structure, it will tumble down.
4. Backfill
Once you finish building your retaining wall, you’ll need to fill in the space between the hillside and your wall. Backfill has the important job of helping to direct water and provide adequate drainage.
Basically, you’ll need to use a material that won’t swell or retain water. Moreover, you’ll want to avoid round or smooth materials that are difficult to compact. Gravel or sand are both great backfill materials.
You’ll need 12 inches in width of backfill to just slightly below the height of your wall. If you plan on landscaping on the top, you can put a 6-inch layer of native soil over the backfill.
The Best Material For My Retaining Wall
Certainly, when considering your options, you’ll want a strong, durable, and long-lasting material while offering beauty. Generally, you’ll find 4 popular material choices for retaining walls:
- Wood
- Brick
- Concrete paver blocks
- Poured concrete
Comparatively, wood offers homeowners an affordable option with low-cost materials and simple construction. Plus, it blends naturally with its surroundings. Some great choices include cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated lumber. However, wood, even pressure treated, is subject to rot.
Another popular option, brick, offers a more traditional look. Plus, it’s also long-lasting and durable. On the downside, brick can be heavy, requiring extra support. Plus, installing brick requires masonry skills.
Due to their great versatility, concrete paver blocks are very popular. You can choose from a variety of shapes and colors to fit any architectural style. Moreover, you can create eye-catching curves. However, the maximum height for a concrete paver wall is 4 feet.
Finally, you can choose the strongest and most durable option, poured concrete. You can create a surface that mimics brick, natural stone, and even wood with stamping and coloring.
Retaining Wall Contractors Near Me – FAQs
Building a strong, beautiful retaining wall requires experience. When you’re searching for retaining wall contractors near me, choose Landscape Solutions. We have over 45 years of combined experience servicing both commercial and residential properties.
Below, we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions about retaining wall construction. If you have any other questions call us at 336-442-0160.
How Deep Must I Bury The Initial Layers Of My Wall?
For stability and a well-anchored base, you’ll need to bury a portion of your wall. Generally, the rule of thumb is to bury 1 inch for every 8 inches of height. Following this recommendation will keep the bottom of your structure from bulging out.
How Long Do Retaining Walls Last?
Generally, the life expectancy of a retaining wall depends on your choice of material, local climate, and construction. Typically, well-built wood walls will last 40 years while concrete and brick can last 50-100 years.
Unfortunately, poorly designed walls with inadequate drainage may bulge, crack, and eventually topple over. Sometimes this happens in a short time.
Why Should I Use A Professional To Build My Retaining Wall?
What type of soil do you have? Do you know your local building code regulations? How does water flow across your property? Which material is best suited for your landscape and needs?
Ultimately, you need to know the answers to these questions and more to build a beautiful, functional structure. Plus, building a retaining wall is a big, time-consuming project.
When you’re searching for retaining wall contractors near me, choose Landscape Solutions & Design, Inc. We can build your wall quickly, help you avoid common DIY mistakes, and create a stunning focal point. Furthermore, our experienced team can design the perfect solution to suit your budget while adding value to your home.
Moreover, we can design and build other types of hardscapes to seamlessly integrate with your yard:
- Driveways
- Walkways
- Patios
- Outdoor kitchens
- Fireplaces/firepits
- And more!
Plus, right now we’re offering an unbeatable special! If you’ve been dreaming about sitting by a warm, crackling fire, now’s the time to act! From October 10, 2022, through December 31, 2022, you can save $500 off a custom built fire pit!
Call us today at 336-442-0160 to book your free consultation.