If you have a long, sloping driveway or yard, it really is probably beautiful, but without the right type of protection, it is also a pain if you need to do anything with the yard. For instance, there is absolutely no way that a pool can be installed on a yard that is sloped. A teeter totter for the kids would never work right. Outbuildings would not be able to sit properly. For this reason you see so many homes that have retaining walls around them. It is a smart way to level out the house but still keep it looking excellent.
Retaining Wall - What Is It?
Basically, it really is any wall that supports a structure and protects it contrary to the advancement of water or earth. There are many different uses for these walls, including in homes for garages, to keep earth from driveways and stairways, keeping riverbanks from eroding, separating roads and highways, also to protect drivers from roadside embankments.
Construction of the Walls
There are various ways to build these walls, and the way you build yours will actually depend on the sort of retaining wall you would like to build. There are a variety of basic construction methods for these walls, with the most popular being retaining walls created from concrete. Some of the other more popular forms of these wall construction include:
Interlocking block
Wooden
Insulated concrete form
There are all sorts of neat things you should use as materials for building a retaining wall. A few of the more popular styles are designed with stones and/or concrete, but some folks are getting really creative with the items they are using because of their retaining walls. Some individuals use old railway ties to create really interesting looking walls.
If you are planning on building one of these brilliant walls, there are certain tools you are going to need to possess on hand. Obviously, you will definitely require a shovel or other tools that can be done some digging with. This is simply not a job that doesn't require a lot of labor...you will definitely have to really enter some tough work, including digging, to get your wall built. Other tools you will need include a tape measure, a wheelbarrow, landscaping fabric, safety glasses and gloves, wooden stakes and string for marking off the region, a soil tamper, a level and some gravel.
There are many different versions of retaining walls, and you may choose to have yours as one that is cantilevered or anchored, or piling and gravity versions. If you are planning out the method that you are going to build your wall, you should take many things into account, like the rate of flow, where water runs off probably the most, and drainage. You don't want to have your retaining wall holding standing water, that is not only going to ruin the wall over time, but is also attractive to mosquitoes that carry viruses. Gravel and rocks can be used effectively to keep water from running directly into walls.
The top layer of your retaining wall ought to be at the very least six inches greater than the ground around it, and when you've got a heavy water flow, you really should ensure it is even higher. It is better to be safe than sorry, and going higher might not always be necessary, nonetheless it offers you extra protection. Usually, retaining walls are no greater than five feet tall, and soil can be used as a great base for cantilever style retaining walls.
Dry Stone Walling Ossett Is Vital
After you have actually constructed your retaining wall, then it will need to be back filled using one side to produce a lot of pressure, which keeps cracks from appearing in the wall and water seeping in. It is also important to make sure that when you are constructing this wall that you add a proper drainage system, which will prevent certain things that are caused by water seepage, including funky green slime on the walls, efflorescence, rust from wall ties and mineral deposits.
An effective drainage system may also help to prevent some of the problems that are caused by freezing and thawing, that is going to happen if you live in an area where the winters are cold and summers are warm. A drainage membrane installed will help to keep these problems from happening.
When you have a properly built retaining wall, you might have a nicely landscaped property, without needing to be worried about the damages that may be caused by running water. Check out the different varieties of retaining walls today, and decide which one is likely to be the best for your property.