Most people don’t realize the importance of a retaining wall until nature takes its toll on their property. Retaining walls, commonly found in many private yards, businesses, and schools, have many practical and aesthetic uses. This protective wall enhances the visual appeal of your home or business and increases its value. Now, you may ask what retaining walls are and how they can benefit your home.
What is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a hard wall around the yard to provide extra support to stop the earth from being forced downhill with erosion. It is used to prevent the soil from entering the garden premises by counteracting the forces of gravity. A sturdy retaining wall can withstand and redistribute the lateral pressure to prevent a landslide on your property. In addition to this, it is a great element for your landscaping because you can use the retaining wall as terracing for planting flowers.
As already mentioned, the basic purpose of retaining the wall is to hold back the soil. To endure the heavy lateral earth pressure (weight of the ground), it’s important to construct a strong and sturdy wall. Different types of retaining walls are built to control the pressure of the soil. There are eight retaining wall types: Gravity, Cantilevered, Sheet piling, Bored pile, Anchored, Soil-nailing, soil-strengthened, and mechanical stabilization.
Benefits of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls enhances the aesthetic appeal of the property, in addition to offering landscape retention. Here are some more amazing benefits of constructing a retaining wall.
Prevent Soil Erosion
The retaining wall is a barrier against rainwater and soil, stopping the dirt from moving down and eroding. This is an important function because soil erosion reduces the livable space and hurts the visual appeal. Moreover, erosion over steep slopes is a threat to the structural integrity of your house.
Avoid Flooding
Constructing a retaining wall makes it possible to regulate drainage by preventing flooding. It is important to avoid water and mud entering your landscape, for which a retaining wall is the best solution.
Increased Yard Area
A retaining wall prevents soil erosion and flooding and creates flat spaces to increase yard space. You may even think of creating walkways or a driveway. Many homeowners prefer constructing this wall to create space or paving the back soil to create a patio. In addition, the wall is also useful for building landscape beds so that you can plant flowers over your wall or create a terraced garden.
Add Value and Beauty to Home
Various rock types and materials exist to create beautiful retaining walls. You can achieve the desired appearance by staining the fence to create a look that resembles stone, brick, or wood. There are plenteous options to turn your wall into a great-looking, functional element of your house. Apart from enhancing the visual appeal, a retaining wall can also improve the value of your home. It’s an economical way to increase your home’s value instantly.
