A retaining wall is a type of structure used to direct water flow in certain areas. It is especially useful for slopes that are near water. Building a retaining wall involves many regulations in cities and states. Therefore, it is important to conduct research before beginning your project. Below are a few tips on how to build a retaining wall. To ensure the safety of your family and property, follow these steps. Then, use the appropriate materials and methods.

Adding Retaining Wall to your landscape will hold back soil and prevent the hillside from eroding. In fact, the right retaining wall will create flat, level spaces. This flat space can be used to build a patio or a garden area. Additionally, it can be a great place to hang out in your yard! Your property will be more accessible and safe with a retaining wall.
The simplest, least expensive retaining wall design is a timber structure. Timber retaining walls are approximately $15 per square foot. Timber walls, however, are not the best choice because they are susceptible to rot and rot. Timber can also become damaged by moisture from the soil, so it is not always a good option. Other materials to use include interlocking blocks, poured concrete, and interlocking bricks. The latter two are more expensive, but they look good in modern homes and are the most durable.
Besides concrete, poured concrete, brick, and stone veneer can also be used to build a retaining wall. However, they require more labor and maintenance than other materials. For example, natural stone retaining walls are not as strong as concrete, but they may be more decorative and have a higher aesthetic value. On the other hand, Wood retaining walls are made of waterproofed timbers or planks. For taller walls, deadman anchors are commonly used to anchor the planks. In rural areas, pressure-treated timbers are commonly used.
To create a stable retaining wall, the bottom row of blocks should be buried about five inches below the level of the soil. The bottom row of retaining wall blocks should be buried one-eighth of the height of the wall. Digging the trench should be level and compact. It is essential to select a sharp-edged, angular-shaped material for the base material. On the other hand, Round rocks can roll when under pressure and even fail to hold the retaining wall.
The purpose of retaining walls is to hold back a sloped surface. These walls can be as low as several inches high, but the important thing to remember is that they do not need to be straight! Curved retaining walls can look beautiful in some landscapes, and they can even be curved! However, if you decide to build a tall retaining wall, consult an engineer before completing the project.
One of the most significant costs of building a retaining wall is the cost of the blocks. A decorative 17-inch block will cost approximately $570 per pallet and will cover 35 square feet of the wall face. On the other hand, plain gray concrete blocks will cost only about $3.40 per block. The second half of the pricing equation is the labor involved in installing the retaining wall. You should expect to pay between $550 and $600 for a small three-foot-high wall. For larger ones, the cost will be higher because of labor.
Anyone with a strong back can stack blocks and construct a lovely stone retaining wall. But it takes skill and planning to build an aesthetically pleasing wall that can also withstand immense pressure, defy gravity, last for decades, and laugh in the face of Mother Nature.
We wanted to learn how to build that type of wall, so we went to work with some hardworking, hardscaping professionals. They demonstrated the importance of a solid foundation, proper drainage, and the proper materials for the job. They also shared some helpful hints they’ve learned over the years.