Retaining walls are vertical structures

Retaining walls are vertical structures that hold back soil and rocks. Most people associate a retaining wall with the function of retaining soil, but it can also be used to hold back water or other liquids. For example, municipal stormwater management may employ a concrete floodwall to contain stormwater runoff from a natural area such as a stream bank or a forested area.

Structurally, there is no difference between an earth (or soil) retaining wall and one constructed from concrete or another man-made material. The purpose of these walls is to resist lateral pressure caused by the weight of the materials behind them, hence the name “retaining” wall; some systems also resist vertical pressures caused by hydrostatic uplift (the upward pressure created by capillary action in saturated soil).

The design of the wall will ultimately determine how much weight it can carry, but designers generally assume that the soils on both sides possess equal shear strength. If this is not true, it is assumed that any wall failure will occur through slippage along its bottom surface. If this assumption fails, the wall will collapse regardless of its height or slope.

Used to raise land

A retaining wall can also raise land or bring landscaped areas closer to the house. Using retaining walls, you can gently slope a yard upward or downward as desired and easily create a pretty, natural look that makes the home feel like it is part of the earth. Retaining walls are relatively easy to add now since so many materials are available for them—such as structure and accessories—that were not around in past years.

Retaining walls can be made from many materials, including rocks, brick and stone, concrete blocks and even wood. They can be used on flat land or in areas with hillsides. Some are made to fill the entire space between the hillside and the ground level. Others will have a gap of a few inches at the bottom that is filled with soil.

Using a wooden retaining wall will need to be anchored into something solid, like a concrete foundation or rock base under the ground. Wood alone cannot support a wall unless something holds it up from underneath. The same is true of stone, brick and concrete blocks. Since these materials are heavy, they need something solid to support them. A concrete block wall might be anchored into soil that has been packed down with gravel.

Help Soil Erosion

A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil, rock, or debris from behind. Retaining walls are also used to help manage water runoff, especially when the soil is sloped, and there is a threat of erosion. In residential areas, they can be used to build up an area above the ground to prevent flooding and increase privacy.

Retaining walls can be made of different materials, but most are made with concrete blocks. The concrete blocks are usually held together by mortar, which acts as glue for the blocks. Some walls may also have stakes at the bottom to hold them in place so that the wall will stay intact no matter what happens with the soil.

Why choose us for Retaining wall construction?

Choosing a retaining wall contractor like us is a big decision for any homeowner, and with so many options out there, it’s hard to know which one to trust.

In the past, we’ve seen clients unnecessarily entrust their walls to contractors who are viewed as experts in other construction areas but merely dabble in retaining walls. We’re proud to say that we’re specialists in this area, and our team of experienced professionals has been in the business for decades.

We love working with homeowners and ensuring they have exactly what they want for their property. Our services include:

• Designing custom walls according to your specifications
• Supervising all installation phases
• Providing a warranty on all work performed
• Replacing or repairing damaged walls at no charge

While we specialize in providing excellent craftsmanship on your retaining walls, we also provide full construction services for your entire project if desired, including foundations, decks, gazebos and more.