how do you know when you need a retaining wall

Three signs that a retaining wall is needed include

1. The slope of a property exceeds 35 degrees and prevents the homeowner from utilizing the space. Hilly areas can make an outdoor space unworkable or unsafe.
2. Water runoff from the hill adjacent to a property is causing flooding in a home or undermining its foundation. ...
3. There is a need to control soil erosion on the property. ...

Full Answer

How do you determine if retaining wall is needed?

Here are some reasons your property might need a retaining wall.You Suffer from Downhill Erosion. If you don't work to control downhill erosion, you will have significant issues on your hands. ... You Have Water Runoff. ... There Are High Winds in Your Area. ... Make Better Use of Your Property. ... Get the Best to Build a Retaining Wall.

What slope requires a retaining wall?

All retaining walls should lean into the hill 1 inch for every 12 inches of height.

How high before you need a retaining wall?

How Tall Should A Retaining Wall Be? Generally, you shouldn't need to build your retaining wall taller than three to four feet. Especially for those in certain cities or geographical locations, building higher than four feet requires city permission and expensive engineering.

What happens if you dont build a retaining wall?

More water means less cohesive earth. Less cohesive earth means a greater tendency for soil in hillside properties to slide down the slope (i.e. landslide). The lack of a retaining wall means nothing nothing will stop a landslide if it happens. Heavy rains are not the only possible cause of landslides in Los Angeles.

How steep can a slope be without retaining wall?

The maximum slope for the soil you can safely go without a retaining wall is 35 degrees, especially if the soil is granular. If the angle is steeper, you will need a retaining wall to keep everything in place.

What can I use instead of a retaining wall?

The most common retaining wall alternatives are:Natural stone or brick walls.Wooden timbers.Gabion walls.Precast concrete.Hedges and natural trimming.Bioengineered soil walls.Natural Borders, Stones, and Mulch.

Does a 3 foot retaining wall need drainage?

If your retaining wall needs a drainage pipe, make sure the pipe has slots on all sides, not just one. A drainage pipe might be needed if: The retaining wall is at least four feet high or taller. Clay or other poor draining soils are behind the wall.

Does a retaining wall need planning permission?

Planning permission is required if the wall is to be over 1-metre high and next to a road or pathway; or over 2-metres high elsewhere. Independent, freestanding retaining walls may not require building regulation approval; however, any structures must be structurally sound and well maintained.

How do I build a cheap retaining wall?

The cheapest way to build a retaining wall is to DIY it. And the most DIY-friendly way is to use commercially available concrete blocks, sold in Home Depot or Lowe's. They commonly come as self-aligning and trapezoidal in shape which makes it easier to form concaves, convexes, or straight walls.

How important is a retaining wall?

Structural Support A retaining wall serves to keep soil in place. This mostly applies to landscapes featuring small hills where these walls act as a necessary barrier to prevent the soil from sliding forward in a landslide.

How much value does a retaining wall add?

A retaining wall can add up to 15 percent to a home's value and an average of 100- to 200-percent return on investment.

Why are retaining walls necessary?

In general, retaining walls are used when one stretch of ground is at a different height than a neighbouring stretch of ground, and the slope between them is too steep to be stable on its own. A retaining wall is used to hold the slope in place, and support the higher level of ground.

What percent is a 2 1 slope?

50% slopeA 2:1 slope is also 50% slope, and a 1:1 slope is 100% slope.

What is a 35 degree slope?

Slopes vs. gradients vs. % gradesSlopeAngle (degrees)GradientGrade (%)35170.036172.737175.499 more rows

What is the maximum slope for a lawn?

The maximum slope in a lawn should be twelve inches for every four feet. If the drop is greater than twelve inches you should plan to build a low retaining wall or cover the slope with a hardy ground cover or ornamental grass.

Can you build a retaining wall on a slope?

If your property is on a slope, you'll build flatter spots that are more usable for different needs. Boulders, pavers, bricks, concrete blocks, and even wood can help you to build an effective retaining wall on a slope. If you plan to DIY this project, here are the steps to take to have a successful experience.

Why do you need retaining walls?

If you live near water or possible flooding areas, retaining walls can slow down the flow of heavy rainfalls. You can also use them to help control where the flow of rainwater goes on your property.

What Type of Retaining Wall Should You Install?

Timber walls – This is your least expensive option. However, they also won’t lost as long due to the moisture from the soil wearing down the timber.

What can a retaining wall do to your property?

There are many things that can happen to the land around your home. A retaining wall can prevent any sort of mudslide or ground shake that could affect your home. They can offer you and your family stability and peace of mind when it comes to your property.

What is a well constructed retaining wall?

A well-constructed retaining wall can offer functionality and beauty. They are everywhere, you may not even notice them, but they’re an excellent way to solve a landscaping problem while still keeping your property looking its best. The question is: do you need one?

What happens when you have a hill on your property?

Combat Soil Erosion. If you have a hill on your property, erosion will most likely be a concern for you at some point in the future. With help from water and gravity, a hill will start to erode over time.

Can a retaining wall be installed on a hill?

If you even suspect that the erosion of a hill around your home could impact the foundation of your home, a retaining wall should be installed. Erosion on a slope can compact an uphill foundation.

What to do with a retaining wall?

Provide extra seating. Once your retaining wall is up, it may provide several unanticipated services; landscaping seating is an example. Depending on the location of your retaining wall, it may prove to be a popular place to sit and chat.

Why do people use retaining walls?

Provide usable land. For millennia, humans have used retaining wall techniques to create terraces of usable land on slopes. Consider the incredible terraces of ancient South American civilizations; farmers in Peru’s Sacred Valley still use the area’s Andinas, or agricultural terraces, to grow lush produce. A retaining wall can serve the same purpose (albeit on a much smaller scale) for your house; landscaping is much easier when you have a level area in your yard.

How to prevent downhill erosion?

If mountains of erosion materials are clogging important areas on your property, adding a retaining wall is a wonderful idea. Retaining walls minimize erosion by decreasing the angle of a slope and holding back soil.

What happens if a house is downhill from a fault line?

As any landscaping contractor will tell you, even if erosion isn’t threatening your home now, it could under the right conditions. In an earthquake, land typically slides away from fault lines. If your home is located downhill from a fault line, a retaining wall can provide stability and peace of mind.

Why do retaining walls bulge?

This occurs because either the contractor failed to build a strong enough wall to hold back the pressure of the hillside, or no drainage mechanisms were included in the wall’s design . If you live in a wet location, ask about draining options when researching retaining wall services. Landscaping design should last a lifetime, and your retaining wall will be better equipped able to hold back gravity for years to come if you include drainage solutions.

How much does a timber retaining wall cost?

Timber walls. Typically, timber walls are the least expensive retaining wall design; they often run about $15 per square foot. However, you should keep in mind that timber walls may not last as long as other retaining wall options, since moisture in the soil can weaken the timber.

How can retaining walls help with water runoff?

Manage water runoff. Retaining walls also help slow the flow of rainwater; in this way, they can increase the utility of your gardening and lawn care. Portland homeowners can help keep polluted street water out of nearby rivers by installing a water-thirsty retaining wall system, perhaps with a rain garden incorporated in its design.

What to know when designing a retaining wall?

When designing a retaining wall, make sure you know what you’re doing or have consulted an engineer. These walls are going to hold immense weight if they fall, so make sure that doesn’t happen.

How high should a retaining wall be?

If the retaining wall you’re trying to make is higher than 3 feet, make sure you check any zoning codes or regulations that need to be followed. You can go with a 1:10 inches ratio, especially if you’re using concrete blocks with concrete filling, but the safest bet is always a 1:12 inch rule when it comes to retaining walls.

What is the slope of a retaining wall?

The slope of a Retaining Wall 1 Rocks (gabion) 2 Wood 3 Stone 4 Bricks, or 5 Concrete

How much slope can you have without a retaining wall?

The maximum slope for the soil you can safely go without a retaining wall is 35 degrees, especially if the soil is granular. If the angle is steeper, you will need a retaining wall to keep everything in place. The lean should be a minimum of 1:12 (1 inch per 12 inches of height) to ensure the load is distributed evenly on the wall.

How deep should a tieback be?

These tiebacks are buried in the hillside and attached to the timber every 8 feet. The tieback itself should be 6 feet deep in the soil and the hook needs to be 2 feet wide in order to give you the optimal holding strength and capacity.

What materials are used to make retaining walls?

Retaining walls can be made out of a number of different materials. These include, but aren’t limited to; Rocks (gabion) Wood. Stone.

What is the back of a sloped landscape made of?

You know how there is always a wall at the back of a sloped landscape in almost every garden? It’s usually made up of natural rocks bonded together with either concrete or a bonding mix. That’s a retaining wall.

Track Your Water Drainage

Because improper drainage and soil erosion can lead to detrimental–and expensive–foundation damage, understanding the drainage in your yard and around your home is imperative. Knowing where water will pool can help you understand where adjustments should be made. Similarly, knowing how water runs after it rains can help you pinpoint soil erosion.

Consider How You Use Your Space

If your outdoor space is large enough to accommodate different activities, installing a retaining wall might be a great way to add a pleasing visual element to the space while also organizing it for those activities.

Material Failure

Most retaining walls are made of some combination of concrete, wood, or stone. Though structurally sound, these materials often wear down over time, especially in exceptionally wet or humid climates. Although wood retaining walls are visually striking, wood is particularly vulnerable to material failure.

Root Damage

Tree roots spread out underground, often breaking through the surface of the ground once they’ve reached a certain size. This becomes problematic when roots expand beneath your retaining wall, pushing the wall’s materials upward or outward and often causing cracks that must be repaired for the wall to maintain functionality.

Poor Drainage

Excessive moisture often causes retaining walls to develop complications related to poor drainage. If your wall appears to be bowed or leaning, it is no longer able to withstand the amount of pressure being exerted upon it. Often, this is due to a buildup of water.

Structural Issues

Structural issues arise from poor construction or the use of subpar materials. A sturdy retaining wall should have a firm foundation with a stable footing and any necessary structural reinforcements. When builders neglect to ensure its structural integrity, a retaining wall may crack, crumble, or even collapse.

Conclusion

To ensure a long-lasting retaining wall, it’s critical to use durable, weather-treated materials to help keep your wall from developing destructive issues over time. Arrange a consultation with a Design One landscaping professional to talk you through the design.