If you live on a slope, learn about a landscaping method that
can help prevent soil erosion while also beautifying your backyard and how
simple it can be to DIY with the correct supplies.
Retaining walls serve numerous functions, including reducing
soil erosion, transforming steep slopes into terraced backdrops, and
establishing focal points in the landscape. Indeed, they are some of the most
typical solutions to problems created by mountainous terrain! Retaining walls that are well-built convert inaccessible gradients into usable garden space.
Despite their modest look, these walls require careful planning and
often professional engineering to maintain their shape. Because soil is heavy,
especially when moist from a recent downpour, a bare retaining wall (four feet
in height and 15 feet long) may have to withstand up to 20 tons of soil
pressure. The pressure of the soil increases significantly with each extra foot
of height. Miscalculate your construction plans, and you risk having a weak
wall that bulges or, worse, collapses entirely. For this reason, retaining walls taller than four feet should be
designed and built by professionals.
On the other hand, shorter retaining walls can build by eager
do-it-yourselfers with some essential construction experience. Does it describe
you? If you want to get your hands dirty
& improve your landscape with a retaining wall, these retaining wall
building rules can help you get started.
Remember To Check With The Authorities
Because the effect of a retaining wall on the natural flow of
water may affect your neighbors, several towns require homeowners to get a
permit before work begins. To guarantee that erecting a retaining wall does not cause drainage issues, you may need to
submit blueprints and schedule a land inspection.
While you're at it, call DigSafe (811), a statewide program that
notifies local utility companies that you intend to dig. These can identify
whether or not their underground wires will be in the way and pinpoint their
exact location.
DO Choose A Material That Is Simple To Work With
Retaining walls can build from various materials, including
poured concrete and massive timbers, natural stones, and even bricks. Choose
premade blocks specifically designed for building retaining walls for DIY
purposes; a locking flange along the bottom edge creates a secure attachment
between rows. These blocks (available in grey and earthy tones with smooth or
textured faces, as seen at The Home Depot) are available at almost any home improvement store and many
garden centers.
DO Begin With A Solid Foundation
The strength of your retaining wall determines by its support
system. A three-inch-deep trench filled with crushed rock will help protect a
four-foot-high stacked-block retaining wall from shifting and settling. The
desired height of the wall determines the actual depth of the track, but use
the following rule of thumb: Excavate a trench the length of the wall plus
three inches. For example, if you want your retaining wall to be three feet (36 inches) tall when done, you'll
need to dig the trench eight inches deep to accommodate three inches of crushed
rock and around five inches (or an eighth of the visible retaining wall) to
begin the wall below grade.
Do Not Place The Block On An Uneven Surface
The first course (or row of bricks) sets the tone for the rest
of the wall, so make sure it's the exact level. If it isn't, succeeding rows
will be uneven, resulting in a crooked and unsightly retaining wall. Before
setting the blocks, use a four-foot carpenter's level to confirm that the
gravel layer beneath the first course of blocks is level. Any differences here
will be visible further up on the wall.
Do Stack Blocks On A Slight Incline
A wall that leans toward the soil it holds is less likely than a
straight vertical wall to be pushed outward by soil pressure. Create a
retaining wall that slopes at a minimum of one inch for every foot of rising
(height). Fortunately, working with retaining wall bricks makes this
"step-back" building a breeze! Every block's bottom locking flange
leads it to click into position slightly behind the lower block, preventing the
top blocks from being forced outward.
Remember To Leave Room For Drainage
Retaining walls' natural adversary is groundwater. When it
saturates clay-type soils, they swell & place undue strain on the rear of
the wall. Make drainage facilities simultaneously as you create the retaining
wall to avoid failure. Backfilling the gap behind the blocks with crushed stone
and then adding a flexible perforated drainpipe, sometimes known as "drain
tile," at the foot of the wall could provide groundwater with an escape
route. Groundwater will be carried to each end of the wall by the perforated
pipe, where it will drain harmlessly away. The drainpipe should then leave at
each end of the wall and can disguise its appearance by covering them with crushed stone.
Do The Backfilling Right
After you've installed your drainpipe, fill the remaining area
behind the blocks with sand or pea gravel either will enable water to trickle
through to the drainpipe at the base of the wall. For the most outstanding
results, backfill with a few inches of the material after laying each course of
blocks, then compact the cloth with a hand tamper. Tamping the backfill every
six inches will ensure that it is securely packed, providing extra support from
the soil pressure behind the wall.
DON'T Build A Single Towering Wall If You Can Make Numerous Tiered Walls
While retaining walls more extensive than four feet should be designed by a professional, you may be able to DIY a solution for a steep slope by constructing two or lesser "tiered" retaining walls rather than a single tall wall. A sequence of short walls adds aesthetic texture, and each division supports less soil weight, reducing the likelihood of failure. When constructing a tiered series of retaining walls, place the higher wall twice as far behind the lower wall as the lower wall's height. For example, if the lower border is three feet tall, the higher wall should be at least six feet away from it, preventing the higher one from putting pressure on the lower one.
Why Should You Hire GTACrete?
As you deal with GTAcrete, you will be able to plan the scene or
open-air living area you have long desired. We offer a trouble-free interaction
compared to working with a conventional arranging organization. Call us
today to learn more about our
authorized and secure scene and hardscaping administrations in Toronto GTA, or
use our quick web-based structure.
GTAcrete is a fully protected and recognized provider of
development and counseling administrations in the Greater Toronto Area. We have
been in the industry for many years. When you choose to work with our team, you
can expect accurate estimates and high-quality artistry. We will consider the
nuances that are important to hiring employees and the clients they serve. Have
the assurance that you will be satisfied with the results. Contact us for a free assessment based on your needs and
budget.