Types of Retaining Wall

Types of Retaining Wall

Retaining walls are a common element in both commercial and residential landscaping in California. Not only do they give you the chance to add some beautiful stonework to your property, but they can prevent soil erosion and control rainwater flow, both of which can save your yard and home foundation from erosion and damage. Here we discuss four basic types of retaining walls in landscaping, and note the differences between them to understand which one may be best for your landscaping project.

Properly Engineered Site Retaining Walls

We refer to walls in the yard as site walls. When properly constructed with reinforced concrete, large footings or piers, and drainage behind them to eliminate potential water pressure, these new walls will stand the test of time.

Foundation Retaining Walls

When the soil adjacent to a building is higher on one side or the other, the foundations will function as retaining walls and must be properly designed. If they are over 3’ in height they need to be engineered. The footings are generally much wider than those of a standard foundation. When the ground on one side or the other is level, the footing (base) of the new wall can be place under the adjacent surface, in this case under the driveway which was then patched over

Retaining Wall with Piers

As an alternative to new walls with wide footings, and a requirement in hillside scenarios that are sloped on both sides, holes are drilled in which I beams are set in concrete. For tall walls these holes are often 10’-15’ deep.

Wood Lagging is Installed with IBeam Walls

Pressure-Treated Wall Boards are installed between the beams- usually 4� thick.

Pressure treated lumber is resistant to termites, dry rot and moisture over time. Because the drop off is over 30� on the downhill side of the new wall, a 42� minimum height guardrail system is required above. These railings need to be installed to resist substantial horizonal forces for safety purposes.

Retaining Wall Drainage

This patio wall is being built with a drainpipe and a drainage mat on the back side. This mat, called Miradrain directs water to enter it and trickle to the bottom where the pipe is located, acting like a miniature drainage system. This allows us to form the wall on oneside only and avoids the need for extensive gravel backfill behind the wall for drainage.

Failing Old Cinder Block Wall

Cinder block walls are often not reinforced, and cinder block is a weak material and is very porous. Often lacking proper footing and drainage, failure occurs, especially with taller walls as they age.

Stucco Finished New Walls

More commonly, we will install a texture coat of stucco on the new concrete, often to match the house stucco. This finish is relatively inexpensive and a major upgrade over rough concrete.

Retaining Walls Can Create New Space

By leveling spaces behind or in front of homes and installing new retaining walls level areas can be created where the spaces were previously unusable. These can be expensive projects, but for homes with little or no flat areas for recreating or sunbathing this can make a huge difference.

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