What is the Best Way to Repair/Construct a Retaining Wall?

Retaining walls are excellent tools to use in a variety of landscaping projects. These stone units block off excavated areas in order to prevent further loss of land. Retaining walls must combat the forces of moving soil, water, tree roots, and other elements to protect your land. For this reason, stone contractors must build and repair retaining walls with a few important factors in mind.

If you are thinking about constructing or repairing an existing retaining wall to protect your property from soil loss, read the following tips on how our contractors at Do All Stucco & Stone achieve effective landscaping walls.

 
Tips on How to Construct or Repair Retaining Walls
 

• Make sure the wall is well supported

 
In order to protect your land against diminishing soil, the retaining wall must be able to support itself under pressure. One way to ensure a wall's support is to build it with a slight tilt towards the soil that it is protecting. To counteract this tilt, you will need to anchor the wall to the soil on the opposite side. Additionally, the wall should have a stable base made of compacted gravel to keep it from moving.
 

• Protect the wall against water

 
If your retaining wall is close to a body of water, or if the soil beneath it is fairly saturated, the wall may collapse. The best way to prevent water damage is to place drains behind the retaining wall to draw moisture away from it. Once drains are installed, they should be inspected regularly to ensure they have not become clogged or damaged.
 

• Call a stone contractor if the wall begins to lean

 
If your retaining wall appears to be leaning over, this could be highly dangerous and should be handled by a professional stone contractor. Professionals may be able to reposition the wall with minimal intervention, however, the wall may need to be torn down and reconstructed if it is no longer useful.
 

• Use helical anchors to re-stabilize the wall

 
If your retaining wall is leaning over, stone contractors may advise installing welded steel anchors, which are buried deep into the adjoining soil. This is a fairly complex method that involves heavy machinery to install the shafts properly.
 
Do you have a major landscaping project coming up? Let our experienced stone contractors help you with all of your stucco and stone needs. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!