There are many reasons to make a retaining wall in your yard, but everything starts with planning. Retaining walls are not very difficult to build - after all, it's just a big pile of dirt. But without any forethought as to location, materials, or weight-bearing capacity, you could be left high and dry with a pile of dirt that doesn't do what you intended it to do. So if you're considering building a retaining wall in your yard at some point soon, these considerations will help take the guesswork out of planning your project.
Consider the Design
People use different designs for building retaining walls. Stacked stone is the most traditional style and is usually made of concrete blocks or stones stacked on one another to a height of 20 feet or less.
They are incredibly durable, but you'll have to be careful about permeability if you use this style. Additionally, you can go for block-style retaining walls built using concrete or wood pieces that interlock with one another to form natural rock formations.
Location and Position of Wall
Before placing a Retaining Wall Installation, you must pick the right spot and position the wall accordingly to best serve its purpose. For example, if you're building an earthen wall, you'll have to consider the location of your wall during rainy weather.
Earthen walls need to be built on flat land and are prone to collapse due to their weight if they aren't built on firm ground. However, if the ground beneath your retaining wall is soft, another solution must be considered.
Appropriate Height
The tallest retaining walls are made of stacked brick or stone, which can reach heights of 20 feet or more before they require additional reinforcing, such as steel girders or rebar. If you don't need that much height, you don't need as much weight-bearing capacity.
You can use shorter walls for decoration or a lower wall that sits on top of a higher ground level rather than below it. But, again, this will depend on the location of your retaining wall and the soil composition beneath your wall.
Consider the Ground that Underlies
If you are building a field-stone wall, ensure that the ground underneath your wall is fairly stable. If not, consider using a foundation system such as footings to support the weight of your retaining wall. You can also use gravel or sand underneath your walls to prevent slipping and crumbling.
If you plan to keep a field-stone or block-style wall, then it's important that you understand that water can seep between the field stones as they settle over time. Therefore make sure that your yard has proper drainage system and to prevent water damage to retaining walls.
