A retaining wall is a hardscape structure that holds back soil, dividing a lower area on one side from a higher area on the other. It can be used to add a vertical dimension to your garden, create walkways and seating areas, and level out slopes to give you more usable yard area. However, since soil is heavy, it tends to push the wall outward. This is why retaining walls are divided into different types based on the way they resist that force and hold the soil in place.

A Guide to Retaining Walls

1. Gravity

A gravity retaining wall relies on the weight of the wall’s materials to hold the wall in place. This is more effective the shorter and thicker the wall is. Typical materials include brick, stone, concrete pavers, or sometimes concrete poured on-site.

2. Sheet Piling

By contrast, sheet piling retaining walls are thin and are made from sheets of material like corrugated metal or plywood. These sheets are driven deep into the ground so that the soil around the base provides support for the part that is above ground. They’re sometimes constructed with posts for extra strength.

3. Cantilevered

This type of retaining wall uses L-shaped metal supports. The vertical part of the support goes inside the wall, and the horizontal part goes under the soil that the wall is holding back. The weight of the soil presses down on the L, providing support for the wall. This can be finished with a range of attractive materials like wood, brick, and stone.

4. Anchored

To create this type of retaining wall, cables are attached near the top edge of the wall. They extend back diagonally and are anchored in the ground, often in concrete. Then your contractor fills in the area with soil, hiding the cables and anchors. This system pulls the retaining wall backward, counteracting the push from the weight of the soil behind it.

Since the cables are anchored at just a few points along the wall, this style is not suitable for walls made of many separate pieces, like unmortared brick or stone. However, it works well with materials that are mortared together or that come in solid sheets, such as metal and wood.

When you want to add a retaining wall to your landscaping, contact A Kick In The Grass Lawn Service in Ballwin, MO. Serving St. Louis and St. Charles counties for over 15 years, they’ll take on any size of lawn care or hardscape construction project for their residential clients. For a free estimate, call (314) 471-6186 or visit their website to browse their services.