Yes. Saturated soil due to inadequate draining is among the leading cause of retaining wall failure. Without drainage, wet weather can cause the ground beneath your wall to shift and slide, making it unstable or causing it to collapse. To prevent this, drill “weep holes” into the bottom of the building materials to allow water to pass through them without weakening the soil.
Retaining walls are made from various materials depending on your needs and design preferences. Segmented pavers and bricks are standard low-profile retaining walls, often used to backfill gravel or soil. They can also be constructed with poured concrete or concrete blocks, both of which provide versatility and durability. Boulders and natural stones, including limestone and flagstone are often used for their durability and natural beauty.
These structures provide a range of benefits, adding function and visual appeal to landscape designs. While aesthetically pleasing, they also act as boundary lines between properties, prevent flooding and reduce soil erosion due to wind and rain. Terraced retaining walls are also ideal for those who live on slopes. The versatile structure can even be used to create gardens, flower beds and walkways, helping you use the space.
Retaining walls are structures intended to withhold soil, rocks and other natural elements laterally, restraining the materials to a slope they would not otherwise keep. Traditional gravity walls rely on their own weight and setback to support the soil’s pressure behind them, preventing them from toppling over.