What are Retaining Walls?- Benefits of Retaining Walls and How They Improve Your Yard

Dec 23, 2024 | Retaining Walls

You may be asking what a retaining wall is. What makes them different from a normal wall you may have? Glad you asked! Retaining walls are a special structure, typically holding back soil or other things from collapsing or sliding down a slope. They are useful for landscaping on a slope or steep terrain. It can also be helpful when you need to create level surfaces for gardening. Read on to learn more about drainage walls, how they can benefit you, and things you should know if you’re considering installing a draining wall for your yard.

Understanding Retaining Walls

Drainage walls can offer many benefits. Retaining walls help support soil, allowing it to be held at different elevations on either side of a wall. This prevents soil erosion and can decrease water runoff. By holding back soil, retaining walls can also create flat areas for gardens and patios, even in hilly areas. This can add visual interest to your garden, as well as increase property value for your home. Lastly, it can also prevent sinkhole formation by managing underground water flow. These are just a few of the benefits, but what other things should you know before you decide upon getting a retaining wall (or walls)? What things should be considered when it comes to retaining walls?
Retaining walls with decorative stone veneers.

Important Things to Consider for Retaining Walls

Drainage Systems for a Retaining Wall

Something that would greatly benefit a retaining wall is a drainage system. Drainage systems help prevent water buildup against walls. Drainage systems also improve the lifespan of your retaining walls. There are several ways you can install a drainage system for your wall.
Weep holes—Weep holes are small openings at the base of the wall. They help water escape from behind the wall and prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup.
Drainage pipes are pipes with holes that are installed at the base or behind the wall. They help collect and channel water away from the structure.
A gravel backfill is a layer of thick gravel behind a wall that allows water to drain easily.
Filter fabric – a kind of fabric that can be laid above drainage stones and topsoil. It prevents fine material from clogging drainage stones by ensuring proper water flow.
These are some drainage systems you can consider for your retaining wall. Installing an effective drainage system is a viable option to prevent water-related damage.

What are the Risks that Come With Retaining Walls?

Retaining walls is useful, but there are cons to retaining them if they need to be built and managed responsibly. It can be costly to install a retaining wall and to have it collapse or fail due to poor construction. If proper drainage isn’t installed or there is water buildup against the wall, it can cause soil to become waterlogged and weaken the retaining wall. These oversights can result in a dangerous safety hazard where a wall could potentially collapse and cause potential injury. That’s why you need a reliable company that installs a retaining wall.

A small retaining wall surrounds a flower bush. Bushes and grass border it.

Which Type of Retaining Wall is Best for Me?

Different Types of Retaining Walls

There are different types of retaining walls, and knowing which one is right for you is important since each retaining wall has different uses. For example, a gravity wall relies solely on natural gravity and its weight to resist lateral pressure from the solid behind it. Cantilever walls are made with a vertical stem and a base. This base extends back into the soil it retains, which helps leverage it. Anchored walls use cables and rods to anchor them to the ground. Piled walls are driven deep into the ground. Learning the difference between certain types of retaining walls will help you decide which one will suit your needs best.

Extra Tips for Constructing Retaining Walls

Another thing you should consider is the type of soil you use for retaining walls. It determines the wall design you have and the materials you use. You should evaluate slope steepness. The more steep the slope, the more robust construction it needs. It is also wise to take into account the height of the wall. The taller the wall, the more complex the engineering for it. One factor you should consider is how much reinforcement the wall needs. This is determined by soil conditions, the height of the wall, and anchoring. Lastly, if you need help deciding the best type of retaining wall, consulting with a professional can help you reach an informed decision.
Small retaining walls on gravel and stone patios enclose various small shrubs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, retaining walls can be a great asset to your yard. They can enhance your yard’s appearance, prevent soil erosion, and decrease water runoff. They are versatile structures that can be used in a variety of ways. If you have a company that installs them properly, they will last a long time and provide stability, even in sloped or hilly areas. That’s why Insignia Landscape is a great company to work with. We specialize in building retaining walls that are great quality and be customized to your needs and preferences. You can contact us or call today at (813) 535 6691 for a free quote.

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