Building a New Retaining Wall? Some Tips to Help You Get Started
by Tiffany Gonzales
If you are building a new retaining wall, there are many things to take into consideration before you start. If you are installing a small retaining wall, you may be considering doing the work yourself. If so, below are some tips to help you get started.
The Base for the Retaining Wall
Your retaining wall has to have a good base to support it. The taller your retaining wall, then the farther below the ground it should be dug. A good base is built in layers. The first layer is compacted soil, the second layer is approximately six to eight inches of compacted sand, and then the last layer is gravel that is placed over the sand.
The Depth You Should Dig
How deep you need to dig for your retaining wall depends on many factors. For example, it depends on the frost depth as well as the type of wall and the type of soil you have. If you are building a concrete or mortared retaining wall and you live in an area that gets heavy frosts, you have to use footings to keep the wall secure and the footings have to be dug deep enough so that they are below the frost line.
The Drainage for the Wall
Water does not pass through a retaining wall, so there has to be proper drainage installed. If you do not do this, pressure will build up behind the wall and it will crack or bulge. Over time, you would have to take the wall down.
You can provide draining in different ways. One way is to place a backfill a few feet behind the wall. To do this, dig a trench that is approximately 10 to 12 inches deep and place gravel in the trench. You can then put a few layers of good topsoil over the gravel. If you need a lot of topsoil, you can find a company to deliver it to your home. If you plant to plant flowers behind the wall, place native soil over the top soil.
You can also ask a landscape contractor to install perforated pipes on the back of the retaining wall. Weep holes can also be installed, which will allow the water to drain through the retaining wall.
If you are not experienced doing this type of work, you may want to consider hiring someone to build your retaining wall for you.
Share
About Me
I have always been someone who absolutely adores being outside, which is probably one of the reasons I decided to buy a home with a large lot. However, as soon as I moved in, I realized that yard work was a lot more challenging than I had anticipated, which is why I called in a team of professional landscapers. They were amazing to work with and got right to it, and within a few days, the yard was looking amazing. I wanted to create a blog all about creating beautiful outdoors spaces so that other people can help to beautify the world.