From Raw Materials to Sheer Bliss

Who can take a pile of bricks and turn it into a cottage? A contractor can. Who can take a few loads of concrete and turn them into a sidewalk? A contractor can. Now, not all contractors have the same skills. A contractor who primarily works on cottages would probably have difficulty making a sidewalk, for example. However, those in this industry are very used to collaborating and reaching out to others when they come across work they don't specialize in. If you think contractors and their work are awesome, then you've come to the right place. This is a friendly blog where you can read more about the topic.

4 Uses For Residential Retaining Walls

Construction & Contractors Blog

Retaining walls are wonderful additions to residential properties. Homeowners often elect to add them for these four purposes.

Privacy

A retaining wall can be a privacy fence. The upside is that a retaining wall is thick so it's useful if you're trying to keep out noises. You can also be creative with the surrounding construction. For example, you might set a patio a few feet into the ground. Combine this with a retaining wall that's a couple of feet tall, and you've created an outdoor living space that offers plenty of privacy.

Soil Stabilization

Stabilizing the soil is the most traditional use for retaining walls. If your house is next to a hill, you might see rain, mud, or rocks coming down the hill. Residential retaining wall contractors can remove some of the loose soil and then install heavy rocks, stones, bricks, or blocks to provide a barrier. The loose earth will start to build up behind the wall and further reinforce the structure.

You also can integrate retaining walls with drainage systems to control run-off. When the residential retaining wall builders are done, you can ask them to not backfill the area behind the wall. You can then have a drainage contractor install a French drain behind the wall to carry the water away.

Another approach is to install plants behind the retaining wall. They will root, and that can provide more stability. Likewise, water-loving plants can soak up much of the run-off.

Hardscaping

Retaining walls are also superb hardscaping features. If you have even a small hill on your property, it might not be the most visually appealing part of the landscape. Especially if there aren't lots of plants growing in that area, a retaining wall can add visual interest.

You might have a large hill and wonder if it's just too big. Residential retaining wall builders can install terraced structures for large hills. One wall will contain each tier of the terrace. Not only does this provide excellent erosion control, but it has a distinctive look. You could even use one of the tiers for a patio or garden.

Property Lines

Finally, you can use retaining walls to mark the property line. People often use retaining walls to discourage animals that might easily get around fences. However, you should check your local regulations because most jurisdictions require retaining walls to be a specific distance from the boundary.

For more information, contact a company like Dreamscapes, Inc.

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18 May 2023