Retaining Walls Northern Virginia
A retaining wall is a protective structure, first and foremost. It is a structure that holds back soil from a building or structure or prevents erosion of soil and landslides. It can also enhance the value of your yard. For more information on the purpose of a retaining wall and how it can secure your yard’s features and prevent drainage problems read more below.
Why do I need a retaining wall?
Structural support
A retaining wall serves to keep dirt and vegetation in place. This mostly applies to landscapes featuring uneven ground or large slopes where retaining walls act as a necessary barrier to prevent the soil from sliding forward in a landslide. Certain soil types which retain more water can lead to sliding of land and erosion of soil in your yard. A retaining wall is often a necessary safety feature for your landscape, ensuring your land will stay in tact as as well as prevent water from pooling around your foundation and letting water into your home through a weakened foundation.
Prevent soil erosion and provide flood control
Erosion is ever prevalent in any landscape, whether it is due to wind or water. Retaining walls are very important, especially if your landscape does not feature a lot of deep rooted vegetation to hold the dirt in place. In addition to providing necessary support to the soil, retaining walls also help reduce the surface runoff by reducing sharper gradients. This reduces the speed at which water travels over the surface and thereby reduces erosion.
Retaining walls do all this while also providing effective flood control in the form of water drainage aimed at preventing flooding. Channels and drainage pipes can be integrated into the construction to provide further measures for proper drainage and water control. Lastly, retaining walls also reduce the gradient through terracing which allows water to soak into the soil rather than run off the surface.
Adding functional space to your yard
While hills and mounds can be attractive features in your yard they tend to eat up precious space. Using a terrace sequence of retaining walls, you can add more usable space to your yard which can then be used for planting. Terracing also creates an imposing and attractive foundation for your yard which can be used to help add space for patios and gardens.
Types of Retaining Walls
- Gravity Retaining Wall
- Crib Retaining Wall
- Gabion Retaining Walls
- Cantilever Retaining Wall
- Counter-fort / Buttressed Retaining Wall
- Anchored Retaining Wall
- Piled Retaining Wall
- Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining wall
- Hybrid Systems
Looking for a quality Contractor?