Hardscaping structures can enhance and improve the functionality and beauty of your lawn. Of the many options offered, one of the most valuable yet simple is well-constructed retaining walls. These concrete, brick, or stone pieces of art are well known for keeping your property in the best shape possible!
In this blog, you’ll learn about the top benefits of retaining wall installation on your lawn and why we recommend getting a jumpstart on this new project today.
The Ultimate Threat: Soil Erosion
Regardless of how well you maintain your lawn, during the wetter months, you’re at risk of facing soil erosion on your property! Erosion can occur very quickly or gradually over time, eventually negatively impacting your lawn before you know it. Having retaining walls installed near the most vulnerable areas around your lawn will prevent the soil from sneaking into places it’s not meant to be; examples of these areas include walkways, driveways, patios, and many more.
Increased Efficient Drainage And Flood Avoidance
Let’s face it, weather can be unpredictable, and sometimes we get hit with heavier rain than we anticipate. Unfortunately, lower-lying areas are at an increased risk of flooding, which can ruin your lawn and affect the foundation of your home. Proper retaining walls act as an unwavering shield, deterring soil erosion, flooding, and preventing expensive damage from wreaking havoc across your lawn.
Raising Your Property Value
When you start the process of selling your home, you will find that some of the smallest changes increase the property value right in front of your eyes! These beauties not only enhance the overall curb appeal of your home but also protect your property from damage like erosion and flooding. Buyers will opt for a home that provides safety and efficiency over others, and the type of retaining wall used can also affect the overall change in value.
Reduce Heavy Maintenance In The Future
You can’t avoid lawn maintenance, as that is a key element to keeping your property beautiful and healthy. However, you can minimize the amount of extensive maintenance needed over time by taking action now!
Fences and other landscaping features are great for establishing boundary lines and privacy, but do require extra maintenance to keep them in shape and looking neat. After retaining walls are installed and sealed, they will last for many years without requiring any maintenance to keep them upright. Additionally, preventing flooding or soil erosion limits the amount of money spent on fixing your lawn after an unfortunate event.
Provides Extra Entertainment Space
If you have a large extended family or simply enjoy entertaining at your home, these structures
serve an additional, more social purpose. You have the freedom to personalize and decorate these walls however you see fit, including making it a comfortable space for guests to sit on and enjoy the fresh air outside. You have some leeway with the height of your retaining wall, along with length, and may opt to add other entertainment spaces, such as fire pits nearby, to make it a cozy and welcoming atmosphere!
Understanding The Various Retaining Wall Types
You’ve likely seen many retaining walls as you walk around the neighborhood, drive down the road, etc., but it may not have registered that you were looking at different types of retaining walls!
Gravity retaining walls that withstand lateral earth pressure are often huge because they require a large amount of gravity to counteract soil pressure. Reinforced retaining walls utilize extra material to strengthen the soil retention, and cantilever retaining walls are composed of reinforced concrete, pre-stressed concrete, or precast concrete, using less concrete material than a gravity retaining wall.
These specific retaining wall types are typically used in larger construction, while smaller, residential retaining walls are often built using concrete, bricks, large rocks, or cement blocks.
However, it is necessary to understand the various types to understand how they work.
Why Go With A Pro?
We love it when homeowners are an active part of home improvement, but not all home improvement projects are DIY-friendly. Always trust local professionals, such as Level Up, for bigger, potentially more dangerous projects!