First, let’s talk about what a retaining wall is. Any exterior wall built to keep the ground in place is considered a retaining wall. One retaining wall can be constructed horizontally from brick, stone, or wood to create a flat growing surface on a hill. However, building yet another retaining wall may be necessary to stop erosion. You need to know a lot of information before hiring a professional retaining wall builder. Find out the best info about Rebar a retaining wall.
Designing Your Wall of Retention
How tall of a wall will you need? Which materials do you recommend? Is the wall primarily for aesthetic purposes, or does it also have some other function? You need to step outdoors and look closer to discover the answers to these questions.
You have chosen a location for the wall. Your installer can better assist you in selecting the appropriate materials for your retaining wall if you provide him with some basic information about its size and shape. Then, using a stick, a string line, or stakes, a professional installer can assist in creating a visual image.
It’s crucial to consider how high you want the wall around your home. Massive pressures (in the form of tons of earth) act against retaining walls. To prevent your wall from caving in under the additional weight of water, it must be strong enough to handle these forces and have adequate drainage.
Your contractor will know how much material to order after he has a good idea of the height and length of the projected wall, as well as your aesthetic preferences.
The following is information that any reliable contractor should be able to provide you with. You might want to search elsewhere if the contractor can’t supply such things.
- Surety Bond for a City Business License
- The contractor’s insurance agency will issue a certificate of insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation, etc.) to the client.
- Project Permit (if required by local ordinances).
- If your wall exceeds four feet, you may require an engineer’s design to comply with local building codes.
- Locating Utility Services (performed many days before the start of the project to protect buried utilities)
Materials for the Retaining Wall
The following are examples of commonly used materials for retaining walls:
Ask your builder about concrete block wall systems; they’re durable and never go out of style. There’s also the option of covering the concrete with a stone veneer.
The benefits and drawbacks of concrete also apply to concrete that has a stone veneer used to it. They are more time-consuming to construct since the concrete must be poured and hardened before the stone veneer can be installed. When finished, your wall will give the impression that it is solid stone. To know more, check out debackyard
The elegance of pavers is replicated in precast stackable concrete blocks, which are uniform in size and appearance. These walls are great for forming curves and can be easily constructed.
Brick is an excellent material, but working with a bricklayer with experience constructing retaining walls is essential to get the best results.
Stone: Stone comes in a wide range of colors, textures, and forms (both natural and artificial). They are similar to brick because they provide similar benefits and must be designed with drainage to prevent cracking.
Yards with a mid-century or colonial aesthetic might benefit significantly from including boulders. However, renting large machinery will be necessary to move rocks weighing several tons.
Natural stone: Stone comes in various colors, textures, and formations. It’s a perfect match for the traditional style of houses in Bergen County.
Railway ties, treated pine, and other hardwoods are all excellent options for retaining wall construction. A wooden wall may be rather beautiful in the appropriate environment. Wood, however, may not be the most effective long-term option due to the inevitable degradation of all lumber. If you must use wood, select pressure-treated lumber.
The construction methods you use will differ depending on your selected components. Your builder may recommend embedding posts if you choose timber to withstand lateral pressure. Do you want brick? Concrete reinforcing and strategic drainage installation are likely to be required. Avoid taking any risks. Your retaining wall contractor will have some suggestions for you.
Do your research and get many bids for the wall, just like you would for any other construction project. Inquire around the locals for recommendations and feedback. Then, hire a professional knowing all your bases have been covered. Now that you understand how retaining walls are made and what to look for in a builder, you can add value and curb appeal to your house by installing a retaining fence.
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