Retaining walls are popular hardscape elements that not only solve landscape drainage challenges but also enhance outdoor living spaces, improve seating functionality, and can also increase property value.
How do retaining walls fix yard drainage issues?
Retaining walls are designed to manage the path of excess rainwater as it moves through a property. Instead of pooling in low spots or flooding into a home’s foundation (where excess water can cause serious structural damage), retaining walls alter elevation, and then gravity naturally redirects excess water away from landscaping and foundations.
Inefficient drainage is most often noticed during a rainstorm when excess water accumulates in low spots on a property. Poorly designed elevations can cause major problems, including erosion, pooling water in the yard, wet or flooded basements, and damage to “over-watered” trees, flower beds, and other plant life. Left untreated, drainage problems tend to get worse as excess water destroys turf root systems, especially on steep slopes. Without grass, soil tends to erode following the path of the rainwater; this makes elevation problems worse – leading to even more expensive future headaches.
Backyard retaining wall constructed by Heinen Landscape.
Fortunately, the hardscape pros at Heinen specialize in designing custom retaining walls to resolve drainage problems. Once property elevation issues are identified, the team goes to work on a plan for grading soil and identifying where supportive retaining walls are needed to correct elevation changes. Retaining walls are typically made of highly durable manufactured stone that resists the effects of inclement winter, and the materials are heavy enough to keep elevated soil in place.
Professionally designed retaining walls are not just walls of stacked blocks. They typically incorporate hidden drainage systems that keep water from being trapped behind the wall – which creates added pressure and strain on the wall. Strategic design and careful placement enable hardscape designers to stabilize a grade and direct water away from key points of the property where it can cause damage, such as garden beds, patios, or foundations.
How can retaining walls add seating and more functionality to outdoor spaces?
Beyond aiding in rainwater egress, retaining walls can simultaneously be designed to create elevated or sunken patio entertainment spaces in areas where existing slopes or elevation would have made this nearly impossible.
Retaining walls can remove the limitations of sloped yards and turn them into opportunities for functional – and beautiful – hardscape designs. Thoughtfully planned, designed, and installed retaining walls make it possible to create a raised or sunken patio area that adds more usable outdoor space to your property. Adding flat “caps” to the top of the retaining walls can transform the wall into additional seating areas – providing more usage flexibility to the reimagined outdoor space. Expanding the usability of the space makes it more versatile for entertaining – and adds to the home’s overall property value.
This sunken patio is created by a low retaining wall with a built-in gas fire feature.
What makes a retaining wall patio both functional and attractive?
High-quality manufactured stone makes retaining walls and patios both stable and visually appealing.
The Heinen hardscape pros work with only the best manufactured stone products from top brands like Techo-Bloc and Unilock for all of their retaining wall projects. Both manufacturers offer extensive catalogs of materials in various shapes, sizes, colors, and textures that allow hardscape designers to create any aesthetic the homeowner desires.
Retaining walls can also incorporate other patio features, such as hidden lighting installed under the edges for subtle ambiance after dark. Larger retaining walls can be designed to include larger features as well, like grilling stations, outdoor cooking areas, or custom fire features.
Under edge lighting adds subtle ambiance for late nights around the patio.
How are retaining walls constructed?
Retaining wall construction requires a detailed site assessment, careful planning, proper material selection, and professional installation to ensure stability, drainage, and longevity.
The site assessment identifies the characteristics of the ground around the area, such as soil type, slope gradient, and how rainwater currently flows. The findings are then carefully evaluated by Heinen’s knowledgeable and experienced team.
After that, there’s much more to building a retaining wall than just stacking bricks or stones. The load-bearing capacity of the proposed walls and drainage paths must be accurately calculated and carefully considered. The site must be properly excavated, a sturdy base constructed, drainage piping installed, gravel backfill added for rainwater passage, and, finally, a layer of topsoil to sustain turf and plant growth.
Why should retaining walls be designed and built by professionals?
Retaining wall construction should be done by experienced professionals since the project requires specialized knowledge of site conditions, soil behavior, and structural engineering.
With over 40 years of experience, Heinen’s hardscape professionals are bona fide experts at retaining wall construction. They are practiced in anticipating potential challenges and proactively implementing reliable solutions that save homeowners from costly issues later down the road. The Heinen team works with top-quality materials that ensure durability and satisfy the homeowner’s desire for a customized look and feel. With Heinen, each client project is professionally managed, establishing realistic timelines that fit the client’s schedule and maintaining constant communication with the client throughout the entire design and build process.
