Welcome to our comprehensive guide on understanding the importance of retaining walls. Whether you are a homeowner looking to enhance your outdoor space, a landscaper seeking tips and tricks for a successful DIY project, or a construction professional navigating the legalities of retaining wall construction, this guide is here to provide you with all the information you need. Retaining walls play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and can greatly enhance the functionality and aesthetics of any outdoor area. So, let's dive in and explore the world of retaining walls together!

The Importance of Retaining Walls in Preventing Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is a significant problem that can lead to the loss of valuable topsoil and damage to landscapes. One effective solution to prevent soil erosion is the use of retaining walls.

Retaining walls are structures specifically designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion. They play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion by providing support and stability to sloping terrains. These walls help distribute the pressure exerted by the soil and prevent it from sliding or collapsing.

Retaining walls can be made from a variety of materials, including concrete, stone, or timber, depending on the specific needs of the site. Proper design and construction of retaining walls are essential to effectively prevent soil erosion and maintain the integrity of the landscape.

In addition to their functional purpose, retaining walls can also enhance the aesthetics of an area. By creating terraced gardens or usable spaces on steep slopes, retaining walls can transform a landscape and create visually appealing outdoor spaces.

Regular maintenance and inspection of retaining walls are essential to ensure their long-term effectiveness in preventing soil erosion. It is important to consult with a professional engineer or contractor when planning and designing a retaining wall to ensure its stability and effectiveness.

Investing in retaining walls is a wise decision for property owners as it helps protect their landscapes, prevents soil erosion, and maintains the value of their properties. Whether it's a DIY project or one that requires expert assistance, retaining walls are an important tool in preserving the integrity of landscapes and preventing soil erosion.

DIY Retaining Wall: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Project
Now that you have a better understanding of the importance and benefits of retaining walls, let's dive into some tips and tricks for a successful DIY project.

Choosing the right materials is crucial for a strong and durable retaining wall. Concrete is a popular choice due to its durability and low maintenance. However, it can be expensive and challenging to work with. On the other hand, wood provides a natural look but may not be as durable as concrete. When selecting materials, consider the specific needs of your project, such as the desired aesthetic, budget, and longevity.

Proper planning and preparation are key to a successful retaining wall project. Before starting, make sure to check local building codes and obtain any necessary permits. Additionally, proper drainage is essential for the longevity of your retaining wall. Poor drainage can lead to water buildup and damage to the structure over time.

When building your retaining wall, use a level and string to ensure it is straight and level. This will not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide stability. Consider adding reinforcement, such as geogrid, to further enhance the stability of your wall, especially for taller structures.

Regular maintenance is important to keep your retaining wall in good condition. Check for any cracks or signs of damage and repair them promptly. By addressing issues early on, you can prevent further damage and extend the lifespan of your retaining wall.

Enhancing Your Outdoor Space with Retaining Walls: Ideas and Inspiration
Retaining walls are not only a practical solution for dealing with soil erosion, poor curb appeal, and sloping terrain in outdoor spaces but also a great way to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your yard.

A retaining wall is a wall structure that is designed to retain the soil behind it. It can be built using various materials such as brick, stone, timber, or railroad ties, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your style and preferences.

In addition to their functional purpose, retaining walls can also be used to create stunning landscaping features. With retaining walls, you can protect your flower beds from erosion, keep critters away from your vegetables, and even add terracing or landscaping on a hill.

One popular choice for retaining walls is a natural stone wall, which blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment and offers a variety of textures and colors. By incorporating a natural stone retaining wall into your yard, you can create a visually appealing and well-maintained landscape that stands out in the neighborhood.

Building a retaining wall in your yard is a significant project. As such, you’ll want to ensure that you select the best building materials for the job from the get-go. In this post, we’ll help you make that decision by covering two of the most widespread retaining wall material options – blocks and railroad ties. 

Block Retaining Walls
Using blocks to build your retaining wall is certainly an excellent idea. Block retaining walls are incredibly long-lasting. In fact, if your block retaining wall is built properly, it won’t need to be replace during your lifetime. The durability of block retaining walls also allows them to be built taller than walls that consist of other materials. 
In addition to that phenomenal longevity, block retaining walls are also very affordable and come in many different options. As you search for the perfect block material for your wall, you’ll find plenty of colors, textures, and shapes to choose from. 
Admittedly, some people do not feel that block retaining walls are as ornamentally intriguing as other retaining wall material options. However, this by no means implies that all block walls are ugly. Instead, block retaining walls can be quite tasteful while also remaining structurally sound for the foreseeable future.  

Railroad Tie Retaining Walls
Railroad tie retaining walls are also incredibly popular for small-scale projects. What people often love about these walls is that they have a very natural look that can complement nearly any landscape. However, there are a few downsides to railroad tie retaining walls that you should understand before you build one. 
Since wood will naturally decompose over time, railroad tie retaining walls are not as long-lasting as other types of retaining walls. In many cases, railroad tie walls will last just one to two decades. Railroad tie walls can also be prone to structural failures if you build them too tall. In general, it’s best to keep these walls below four feet tall to give them the best chance of remaining intact. 
To combat the natural decomposition of wood, many railroad ties are treated with chemical wood preservatives. Unfortunately, those chemicals can be harmful to you and the plants in your landscape. With that said, for those who want a retaining wall with a natural look for a reasonable cost, using railroad ties may be a reasonable way to go.

A Few Other Retaining Wall Material Options
Although both blocks and railroad ties are both legitimate options for your retaining wall, there are plenty of other materials you can use. To help you better understand the options at your disposal, we’ve listed a few other retaining wall materials for your consideration:

• Natural stone
• Poured concrete
• Gabions
• Brick and mortar

If you find that neither blocks nor railroad ties are right for you, know that there are plenty of other choices, and those in the list above are some of the best ones. 

Block or Railroad Ties – The Choice is Up to You
Overall, the choice between block and railroad tie retaining walls is largely a matter of personal preference. The sections in the article above should give you a good idea of which option you prefer. If you are ready to build your retaining wall or need further insights to help you decide, contact the expert team at All Outdoors by calling 864.275.2039.

Do you want more space in your yard? Do you have a lot of dirt you don’t know what to do with? Do you have a hill in your backyard? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you probably need to build a retaining wall! Look around, there are retaining walls everywhere! That’s because they are so useful and have many functions. Let’s find out if a retaining wall would be beneficial to you!

Retaining walls are normally found in places where extra support is needed to prevent the earth from moving. But what exactly is the purpose? 

Retaining walls create usable land. It is hard to use slanted earth, but a retaining wall can make the area usable. It creates a level area for your yard. This technique has been used for centuries!

Retaining walls also help manage runoff and erosion. They help minimize erosion by decreasing the angle of a slope and holding back soil. With properly installed drainage in the wall, it helps slow the flow of water. This can help prevent damage to your yard and home! 

If a retaining wall is for you, make sure that you have a professional building it! A poorly constructed retaining wall can cause more harm than good. If it isn’t built correctly with the proper support and drainage, the wall could suddenly break. This could cause all the earth that was being held back to be unleashed and could cause damage on you or your home. 

Give us a call today, (864) 275-2039!

By: Hannah Raines
Copyright ALL Outdoors 2021

See the beginning of a retaining wall that we are starting.  The first contractor that the home owner hired tried to install the wall twice only to have it fall twice.  We are now in the process of properly installing the wall.  Get tips on hiring a professional to install a wall by watching the video here.

UPDATE OF FINISHED PROJECT COMING 02/12/18