Understanding Retaining Walls: Importance, Types, and Maintenance
Retaining walls are essential structures designed to prevent soil erosion and keep soil in place. These walls are commonly installed around properties with steep slopes, uneven ground elevation, or those located in flood-prone areas. A retaining wall can transform a backyard into a beautiful and functional outdoor space by creating level areas for landscaping and seating. In this article, we will discuss the importance of retaining walls, the different types available, and how to maintain them.
The Importance of Retaining Walls
The primary purpose of a retaining wall is to provide structural support to a vertical or near-vertical grade change. Properly installed retaining walls can prevent soil erosion and landslides, protect property from flooding, and increase the overall value of your property. These walls also create level areas in sloped spaces, making it easier to install hardscape elements such as patios, walkways and outdoor living areas, as well as plant gardens or shrubs.
Retaining walls can be constructed using various materials such as concrete, wood, stone, brick, and vertical gardens. The material used will determine the overall look and feel of the wall. This means that the retaining wall can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you want to add curb appeal to your home or create an outdoor living space that's both beautiful and functional, retaining walls are an essential component to any landscaping project.
Types of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls come in different types, each with its unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are the most common types of retaining walls:
- Gravity Retaining Walls: These are the most basic types of retaining walls. They rely on the weight of the wall to hold back the soil. Gravity walls are typically constructed from concrete, stone or brick, and are useful in low retaining walls up to three feet in height.
- Sheet Pile Retaining Walls: These retaining walls are used where the soil is soft and prone to movement. These walls require piling steel, timber or concrete in the ground. Sheet pile retaining walls are beneficial for retaining walls in seismic areas.
- Reinforced Soil Retaining Walls: Reinforced soil retaining walls are made by reinforcing soil to resistance lateral forces. These retaining walls are generally less expensive than others and can be used to retain up to 60 feet if correctly designed and installed.
- Segmental Retaining Walls: These types of walls are made up of interlocking precast concrete blocks, and they are preferred where retaining walls need to be free-standing, such as a garden wall or a raised flower bed. Segmental retaining walls are available in various sizes, shapes, and colors and can be combined to make creative and original designs.
Maintenance of Retaining Walls
Maintaining retaining walls is essential to their longevity and structural integrity. Inspection and repair should be done periodically to ensure that the wall is functioning as intended. As plants and weeds can erode the bond between the wall and the soil behind the wall, it is necessary to control vegetation growth. This can be achieved through planting grass, groundcover and other shallow rooted plants or using an herbicide.
Additionally, any cracks or bulges on the wall could be a sign of structural problems, and if left unaddressed, could lead to failure and collapse of the wall. Ensure that the waterways and drainage systems are well-maintained to prevent water build-up behind the wall. Lastly, site drainage should be checked, and any deficiencies should be resolved as they can result in the soil pressure increasing, thus putting stress on the retaining wall.
Retaining walls are indispensable in any property located in steep slopes and flood-prone areas. They help in soil erosion prevention, flood protection, and provide attractive, useful and functional spaces. Knowing the different types of retaining walls and how to maintain them is essential in ensuring that they function as intended for an extended period.
