Onorato Landscaping: The #1 Elmwood Park, NJ Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are structurally sound, but there are some important things to keep in mind. The walls should lean into the hillside by 1 inch for every 12 inches they are tall. Timber walls four feet high and above should be tied to the hillside with deadmen anchors, which are T-shaped tiebacks buried in the hillside. These anchors extend six feet back to a two-foot-wide T-bar, which should be placed at the base of the wall.

There are several types of retaining wall materials. You can go with a mortared retaining wall, or a cast-in-place retaining wall. Both of these options offer great looks and durability. While these types of walls can be expensive to build, they can provide an aesthetic backdrop for your landscaping. They also offer more protection against erosion and damage than other retaining wall options. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose from a variety of materials for your retaining wall.

Depending on the size and style of the retaining wall, you may have to replace the native soil behind the wall with 3/4-minus gravel or bank-run gravel. The gravel bed should be sloping, with one inch of gravel for every four feet of run. The top six inches behind the wall should be filled with topsoil. If the area is susceptible to freezing, the soil can become saturated and break apart, causing the retaining wall to buckle and sink.

The base of the retaining wall should be solid, firm and free of excess moisture. Clay soils are not suitable for retaining walls, as they are already saturated. Sandy soils, on the other hand, are best for drainage and are free of excess moisture. A geotechnical report will identify any problem soils, as well as its composition and groundwater conditions. Gravity will cause the retained soil to move downwards as the hill slope increases in steepness. If this force is too great, the wall may collapse.

Retaining walls can be costly, but they can greatly improve the function of your yard. These structures are often used to terrace yards with a dramatic change in elevation. In addition to preventing erosion, they provide usable outdoor space. Low retaining walls can also serve as planting beds. And if your yard is flat and lacks natural beauty, they can help add interest to a yard. You can even use them as a decorative accent in your yard.

The cost of retaining walls will depend on the material you use. Stone and wood are usually expensive and can cost anywhere from $10 to $100 per square face foot. Concrete walls are generally less expensive. They can be poured concrete, split face block, or cinder block. The latter will require steel reinforcement to be sturdy. Depending on the style of retaining wall you choose, you could end up paying hundreds of dollars to build a retaining wall.

If you want to add color or texture to your retaining wall, brick is a great choice. It can be applied to retaining walls made from poured concrete or bricks. You can also apply brick veneer to existing concrete walls for a classic look. The bricks can cost from $10 to $40 per square foot, and brick veneer can be installed by a professional. If you’re not sure what type of brick to use, you can always ask a brick specialist to help you with the process.

Retaining wall installation costs around $50 to $75 per hour. The cost can increase with difficult locations or if you need to remove fences or scaffolding. Depending on the size of the retaining wall, it may even require structural engineering, which requires more time and expense. If you’re planning on building a wall that is more than 4 feet tall, however, it’s best to call a professional to do the work for you.