The Fundamentals of Building Retaining Walls
Does your home have some sloping yard spaces? In case you do, the first thing that often comes to mind is to have these areas flattened with the rest of the landscape. For some reason, you might also think about the possibility of leaving them as they are.
Retaining Walls
In case you decide to let the slope remain, it is advisable to think about making everything about it look neat and attractive. And this is where the need to have retaining walls comes into the picture. These special walls offer homeowners an opportunity to create a unique landscape, and at the same time, help prevent erosion by holding the soil back.
Factors to Consider When Constructing Retaining Walls
Retaining walls can be constructed in many ways. They might be built as free-standing features, or they might be integrated with other landscaping features. Whichever the case, making the right choice requires skill and experience. Things like soil weight and pressure need to be studied. So here are some essential tips worth looking at when constructing retaining walls at your premises.
Choose the Right Material
Retaining walls can be made from different materials. This means more options and less worry for homeowners who are not sure of what works for them and what doesn’t. Homeowners are a lot of options to consider regarding material selection like bricks, stones, and timber.
Design Patterns
Once you settle for some preferred material, you should start thinking about the available design options. The most important thing about choosing a design is to help you establish what works well for you and what doesn’t. You should not limit your options to straight retaining walls. Consider the possibility of having a curved design or any other stylish design.
Work With Professionals
Building a retaining wall is more than just erecting a structure besides a slope. There is a lot of work and technical stuff that should be sorted. For instance, the structure should be strong enough to support the pile of soil behind it. The bag fill should be done right to direct pressure away from the wall, and serious considerations should be made to allow for drainage to avoid cases of having water trapped between the walls.
If you are thinking of having a retaining wall, it is imperative to do due diligence on your part. Making the right choices in terms of design and constructions goes a long way in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home and other functional benefits.