Concrete Pavers Guide

Masonry retaining walls serve two main purposes. The first is entirely functional – it holds back ground and dirt that would otherwise slope forward, keeping the slope intact and preventing accidents, especially when it rains heavily and water flows down the slope. It thus serves a water management and drainage purpose as well.

The second purpose of the masonry retaining wall is aesthetic. It provides a ‘three-dimensional’ appearance to your landscape and/or hardscape. It creates different levels of elevation that attract the eye and lets you separate different areas of your yard, such as creating elevated terraces, a raised paver patio, and other installations. It also provides you and your guests a place to sit and relax.

However, building a retaining wall is not easy. The project may turn into an engineering problem, especially when the wall height is very high, as the wall needs to be able to withstand the pressures of lateral pressure of soil, water, etc. without falling over or otherwise cracking. This means that the wall must be properly installed with a good foundation, drainage at the bottom of the wall, and sound construction all around. Thus, in most cases, except for the most minor walls, do it yourself projects are not recommended. It’s best if you hire a contractor who can do the job correctly.

Locations for Retaining Wall Installations

Retaining walls should be installed wherever there is a need. If you are having problems with flooding or mudslides, you may know where to install it – but if not, call a contractor who will evaluate your space and inform you of your options.

Of course, some homeowners like installing walls for primarily aesthetic reasons. They go great with patios, pool decks, and garden projects. There are many different designs that you can pursue with your walls – they can curve in and around a patio or garden project, and they can be topped with all manner of caps and extras. Often you can use the same materials for your walls as you do for your flatwork, such as patios and walkways, to ensure that there is unity across all the projects in your yard. For example, you can use concrete pavers across your entire yard design. Another idea is to use multiple retaining walls, especially if you want to keep your walls below the maximum height and thus avoid a visit from an engineer or other official – installing more than one wall may be less expensive and less of a hassle than installing one single large wall.

Retaining Wall Materials

A retaining wall can be built from many different materials. The most simple walls can be poured concrete walls or walls made out of concrete blocks. The large retaining wall blocks are staggered so that the joints don’t line up – this improves the strength and stability of the wall. This method is use for any modular retaining wall system that you use. Fancier and more stylish walls can be created out of retaining wall pavers, while the most fancy walls are created out of brick or natural stone, such as flagstone. If stone doesn’t suit you, other options exist, such as landscape timbers, railroad ties (though this option is environmentally out of fashion), and other non-stone options.

The cost of your retaining wall will depend on a number of factors, most notably the price of the materials you select as well as the labor costs associated with your contractor. In addition, you may have to pay additional costs and fees associated with engineers, surveyors, permits, and so on. In addition, the price of your wall will depend on the length, width, and height of the creation. Most homeowners can expect a price within the four figures.

Other Requirements

Depending on the height, location, composition, and other features of the wall, you may need to get permits and other documentation from your muncipality or local government before having the wall installed. In addition, a contractor may need to bring in (sub-contract) an engineer to make sure that the wall is properly designed and built. An improperly planned or constructed wall can end in disaster and thousands of dollars, or more, of potential damage, so don’t tread lightly here!

Unfortunately, sometimes walls are put in out of necessity. Luckily, even if they are required to be installed due to soil pressure or other factors, they can usually be well-integrated into the style and theme of your hardscaping and landscaping.