Retaining Walls: Is It A Suitable DIY Project?

Jun 17
08:11

2010

Andrew Stratton

Andrew Stratton

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Retaining walls are useful and decorative, but before you attempt this advanced project you should consult with a professional landscaper.

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Retaining walls can be functional or beautiful,Retaining Walls: Is It A Suitable DIY Project? Articles depending on your landscaping needs. While you may be tempted to tackle this project on your own, you have to realize that there is a great deal of planning and work involved in building a structurally sound, safe, and effective retaining wall that also satisfies building codes.

Before you choose a this kind of style and type for your next landscaping project, you'll want to check and make sure that it will be up to code and legal. If you're hiring a professional to plan and build the retaining wall, they can assist you with obtaining necessary permits and ensuring that it meets all regulations and laws. This is important as you don't want to have your project torn down midway.

Although it may seem easy, it isn't advisable to build and plan a retaining wall on your own, especially if it is more functional than merely for decoration. There are many important factors to take into consideration such as its height, durability, the stress of the weight, slope of the area, and the type of soil present. Unless you have formal training, most of these things will present rather difficult problems. Professional landscapers are much better equipped to guide you through the process and you can supply them with any input about design, look, and size.

There are many materials you can choose for this. However, you will be limited in some cases if you are building a functional wall. Most people prefer durable, strong materials such as various rocks, concrete, or brick. These can come in a variety of styles and colors. They can also be manipulated to create patters or unique design layouts. The cost of these materials will vary greatly depending on the quality, amount required, and how it is to be installed.

There are two main design options that you'll have to decide between. You can choose to have an on-site building or a pre-plan the layout. Most professionals prefer to do at least some planning ahead of time in order to avoid mistakes that can cost you time and money. By building on site you may be able to achieve a more organic or unique appearance, but you run the risk of unforeseen problems and increasing the amount of time the project takes.

Your partition is useless if it isn't strong enough to hold up the soil or has proper drainage to prevent pressure collection from destroying it. Retaining walls need a drainage system so water and moisture from soil and plants can be released away from the wall. A landscaper can help identify places that need drains or other openings to help keep it standing.

When choosing a landscaper to build or plan your partition, ensure they have the proper experience and ask for some references. You should also be provided with some recent pictures with work performed that is similar to your goals and expectations.

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