A retaining wall can be built to hold back water on the front and sides of a slope. In clay-type soils, groundwater puts too much pressure on the back of a wall. A retaining wall can be prevented from failure by installing drainage provisions and backfilling the space behind the blocks with crushed stone. A perforated drain pipe, also called drain tile, can be installed on the back of the wall. The pipe will carry the groundwater to the back of the wall, where it can drain away harmlessly.
The retaining Wall is usually built in conjunction with other landscaping features. They are often used to build the outer containment for an above-ground planter bed or water feature. Retaining walls are generally placed during a redesign of the landscaping. However, some designs can be customized to blend into existing landscapes. If you are planning to install a retaining wall, be sure to research its requirements. A properly built wall will hold back the soil.
There are many materials used to build retaining walls. The material you choose will depend on your personal preference, the functionality of the wall, and the construction costs. Some popular materials include pressure-treated timbers and poured concrete. In addition, you can also use a combination of materials, such as stone or brick. Depending on the desired height of the retaining wall, you can choose from a wide range of decorative materials. Listed below are some of the most popular materials for building retaining walls.
When building a retaining wall, you need to make sure that the first part of the wall is buried. The general rule of thumb is to bury one-eighth of the wall height. The first course of blocks should start five inches below the soil level for a three-foot retaining wall. Adding a gravel base to the base will prevent uneven settling. If this is not done, the wall’s alignment will not be perfect.
Retaining walls are vertical structures that hold back a mass of soil. They help maintain the slope by resisting horizontal and vertical pressure. Retaining walls are often part of a system, incorporating footings and a drainage pipe. They are typically three feet or taller. This is because taller retaining walls require engineering design and permits to build. So, if you’re looking to build a retaining wall, it will depend on the type of landscape you have.
The cost of retaining walls will depend on the size of the structure, the materials used, and the drainage. If you decide to build the structure yourself, you can choose between timber, poured concrete, and interlocking blocks. Timber retaining walls cost approximately $15 per square foot. However, timber can become weak due to the moisture present in the soil. Besides timber, other popular materials for retaining walls are concrete and interlocking blocks. These types of retaining walls also go well with modern homes.
In addition to preventing damage to your retaining wall, you should take appropriate precautions. You should install parking bumpers to prevent vehicles from ramming into the wall. It is important to make sure that your pool is water-tight and that there are no cracks in the retaining wall. You can also report any problem to the Department of Buildings by dialing 311 to file a complaint. They will then send an inspector to inspect your property to determine the cause of the problem.
Retaining walls are versatile construction tools for geotechnical engineers. They enable them to construct structures on slopes where space is limited. A retaining wall is defined as a vertical structure that holds back soil. A retaining wall is commonly made of concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, boulders, and rocks. A gravity wall is another type of reinforced wall. If you can’t find the right material for your retaining wall, consider a poured concrete retaining wall.
The cost of a retaining wall block constitutes the largest portion of the overall cost. A decorative 17-inch block can cost as much as $570 per pallet, which covers 35 square feet of the wall face. In comparison, a plain concrete retaining wall block costs only $3.40. Labor costs make up the second half of the pricing equation. Depending on how much labor you need to hire, the price can be anywhere between $15 and $30 per square foot.
