A retaining wall can help you control soil erosion, create a gardening space, and add character to your home and landscaping. Since these hold back soil and plant roots, they’re under constant stress, and over time can buckle if they aren’t properly reinforced. If you’re interested in adding a retaining wall to your property, here is what you should know about ensuring they can handle the job.

Your Guide to Building Retaining Walls

What Do Retaining Walls Do?

A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil, which can control erosion and create tiered gardening planters. They can be constructed from several different materials, including poured concrete, concrete blocks, rocks, boulders, and treated timber.

Gravity walls, a type of retaining wall, use their weight and height alone to push against the soil they’re holding back. Reinforced walls, on the other hand, use an extra layer for added strength and durability.

Risks & Threats

Over time, the pressure of the soil behind an unreinforced retaining wall can weaken it, ultimately leading to collapse. If rainwater builds up behind the wall with no draining route, it can also create additional pressure, resulting in landslides, damage to utility lines and piping, and ruined landscaping.

Building the Right Way

Proper base preparation is the most important part of building a retaining wall.   If the base is not prepared correctly, your wall is doomed from the beginning.   Proper aggregate material for base prep and back fill and embedment are key to longevity of a retaining wall. 

To prevent a wall from buckling under the pressure of the soil and rainwater, contractors should use geogrids to reinforce retaining walls. Made of high-tensile plastics, these are flexible mesh materials that can go behind walls or sub bases underneath roads or structures to absorb pressure. By reducing friction and resisting tension, geogrids can ensure your retaining walls stand strong for years to come.

If you want to build a retaining wall, turn to the pros at Dreamscapes, Inc. For nearly 30 years, these contractors have provided comprehensive landscaping services to residents and businesses around Lincoln, NE. Whether you want a new patio, fire pits, walkway, or outdoor kitchen to enhance your property, they can help you build structurally-sound hardscapes that’ll last you many years. Visit their website to explore their service options, or call (402) 421-7496 to discuss a project.