4 Tips to Keep Your Retaining Wall Strong

Retaining walls serve more than just one purpose. Not only are they a beautiful landscape element, but when built strong enough, they are able to outlast the earth that is held up behind them. Retaining walls will sometimes crack under the pressure when natural forces are pushed against them, but, luckily, there are ways to prevent this deterioration. The experts in Orlando masonry at Bedrock Industries have four different tips for you to keep your retaining wall as strong as can be and in the best shape possible.

• Drainage. When water builds up around a retaining wall, it has no place to go. Eventually, pressure accumlates and the wall is forced to crumble or collapse. With the correct drainage, this all can be avoided. Drain pipes and a clean granular rock for the base and backfill will let the excess water easily drain out.

• Compaction. Soil around the reatining wall should be compacted at the point of excavation, after the gravel base has been added, and every time backfill is added. If this is not the case, the poor compaction will cause the wall to shift and create large gaps in it.

• Reinforcements. Everyone needs a little help sometimes and the same goes for your retaining walls. There are multiple types of reinforcement available and which one you choose greatly depends on the height of your wall, what your wall is made of, and the soil around the wall. A common reinforcement is the Geogrid which is a mesh material that helps control the soil while also strengthening the wall.

• Engineering. Depending on how big a project your reinforcing wall is, you may need a professional engineer involved. Consider this route if your wall is higher than four feet, if your wall is going to have to sustain consistent pressure on it, or if you aren’t sure of your city’s ordinances or laws.

 
Before embarking on any big project, like a retaining wall, make sure you are conducting research. If you need the help of a builder, make sure you talk to them about your contract and what is covered in it. When a retaining wall is built properly, it can last a lifetime! If you would like help with your Orlando masonry project, give us a call at 407-449-2203 for some assistance!