Learn about the landscaping method that may help combat soil erosion and help beautify your backyard all at the same time, and how simple it can be to do it yourself with the proper materials if you have the Paving stones driveways in Maple Ridge, you live in hilly terrain.
Retaining walls can serve a variety of objectives, including preventing soil erosion, transforming steep slopes into terraced backdrops, and developing focal points within the environment. In point of fact, they are some of the most typical solutions to the issues that are generated by geographical features such as hills. When properly constructed, retaining walls can convert steep slopes into garden space that can be utilized in a variety of ways.
In spite of the fact that these walls have a straightforward appearance, maintaining their shape calls for a significant amount of planning and, in some cases, skilled engineering. Because soil is dense, and especially after it has been drenched by a recent downpour, a simple retaining wall (with dimensions of four feet in height and fifteen feet in length) may have to withstand up to twenty tons of pressure from the earth. The weight of the structure exerts a significant additional force on the ground with each additional foot of height. If you get your building plans wrong, you could wind up with a weak wall that has the potential to bulge or, even worse, collapse completely. For this specific reason, the design and construction of retaining walls that are higher than four feet should be left to the experts.
However, passionate do-it-yourselfers who are endowed with some fundamental construction expertise can build shorter retaining walls. Does that describe you in any way? These tips for building a retaining wall can help you get off to a solid start if you're interested in getting your hands dirty and enhancing your landscape with a retaining wall.
DO NOT IGNORE the importance of checking with the relevant authorities.
Because the influence that a retaining wall has on the natural flow of water could have an impact on your neighbors, several municipalities demand that homeowners get a permit before construction can begin on their homes. In order to verify that the construction of a retaining wall will not result in drainage issues, you might be required to present drawings for your wall and arrange for a property inspection.
DO pick a substance that won't give you too much trouble to manipulate.
There is a wide variety of building material that may be used to construct retaining walls, ranging from poured concrete and huge timbers to natural stones and even bricks. A locking flange along the bottom edge of the manufactured block creates a secure attachment between rows, making it an excellent choice for do-it-yourself retaining wall projects that call for the use of manufactured blocks. You can find these blocks (which are available in gray and earthy tones with smooth or textured faces, like these at The Home Depot) in practically any store that sells home improvement products, as well as at many garden centers.
BE SURE to begin with a solid groundwork.
Your retaining wall's strength will be directly proportional to that of its support system. If you have a retaining wall made of stacked blocks and it is no higher than four feet, you should dig a trench and fill it with three inches of crushed rock. This will assist prevent the wall from shifting and settling. The suggested height of the wall will determine the actual depth of the trench; however, you can use this guideline as a general rule: A trench should be dug to a depth equal to one eighth of the wall plus three inches. For instance, if you want the completed height of your retaining wall to be three feet (36 inches) tall, you would need to dig the trench eight inches deep to accommodate three inches of crushed rock and approximately five inches (or an eighth of the visible retaining wall) to start the wall below grade. This would bring the total depth of the trench to sixteen inches.
