Importance of Excellence in Block Retaining Wall Design
Retaining walls play a crucial role in landscape design, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. There are different types of retaining walls and their wall construction differs depending on the material of choice. What they all do is prevent soil erosion, enhance the visual appeal of outdoor spaces, create usable areas in sloped yards, and provide structural support. At Greener Landscaping, we specialize in designing and constructing durable and attractive retaining walls that transform your landscape. Most of our clients choose timber or wood retaining walls, but we also build sleeper retaining walls and block wall retaining walls. In other articles I have written about walls made of concrete sleepers and poured concrete and even where planter walls or raised garden beds act as retaining walls. This time I’m talking about masonry, or blockwork.
Materials and Tools: What We Use to Construct Them
Materials
- Concrete Blocks: We use high-quality blocks known for their strength and durability. Blocks come in many shapes and sizes. They allow for customized designs that fit your specific needs and aesthetic wants. Concrete blocks are ideal for creating sturdy, long-lasting walls.
- Reinforcement Materials: The wall can be reinforced with steel bars or mesh. They ensure it can withstand pressure from the soil and other forces, such as water. This fortification is crucial for maintaining the integrity and strength of the wall block.
- Drainage Materials: Proper drainage is critical for the longevity of retaining walls. We use gravel, perforated pipes, and other materials to ensure water is effectively managed, preventing water buildup that could compromise the wall’s stability.
Tools
- Excavation Tools: Shovels, excavators, and trenchers are used to prepare the site and dig the foundation trench.
- Construction Tools: Trowels, levels, and concrete mixers are essential for building the wall and ensuring it is level and secure.
- Finishing Tools: Brushes, rollers, and sealants are used for the final touches, protecting and beautifying the wall.
Planning, Design and Construction
There’s a lot to retaining wall construction and a whole range of retaining wall options. Let’s go through it step-by-step. The first thing we want to establish are the non-negotiables of your property. Forces of nature are very strong and any wall, whether it’s a block retaining wall, or made of timber, has to withstand the force of soil, water, and the ingress of growing plant matter that are constantly pushing it. Some walls will do more work than others and that could depend on the type of wall. For example the bigger the slope, the more forces behind the wall. First step is to establish if the material you have in mind will do the job.
Considerations Before We Build a Concrete Block Retaining Wall
Before we start to build a block retaining wall, thorough planning and design are crucial. Here’s what we consider:
Site Assessment:
In most cases, you’ll show us around your land and we’ll evaluate the landscape, soil type, and slope to determine the best approach for your wall and if retaining wall blocks are the way to go for your project.
Design Elements:
When we design your retaining wall, we take into account factors like the footings, wall height, length, wall depth, and if you want straight or curved walls. We plan to meet both your functional needs and aesthetic preferences.
Permits and Regulations:
We obtain all necessary permits and make sure our designs comply with local building codes. It is possible you will need an engineering design. There are certain council requirements that will determine what paperwork and certification is needed.
Customization Options:
Our designs can be tailored to fit any space, incorporating features like built-in seating or integration with other landscape elements.
Construction Steps: For the Customer to Understand the Process
You may want to build your own, but it’s much easier to rely on a team of professionals who have plenty of expertise and experience to build it for you. There are implied warranties with contracting tradies for constructing a block wall for you.
Excavation and Foundation
- Clearing the Area and Digging the Trench: We start by clearing the site of any vegetation and debris. After we excavate, we dig a trench to lay the foundation / footings. It is here that we ensure it is deep and wide enough to support the wall.
- Laying the Foundation: A solid base of gravel or concrete is laid to provide a stable foundation for the wall.
Building the Wall
- Placing the First Row of Blocks: The first row of blocks is carefully placed and leveled. This is critical for the stability of the entire wall.
- Staggering Subsequent Rows: Subsequent rows of blocks are staggered to increase stability, with reinforcement materials added as needed. Blocks often interlock to give great sturdiness and wall longevity.
- Incorporating Drainage Solutions: Proper drainage is ensured by installing gravel, perforated pipes, and other measures to prevent water buildup. You want the water to flow freely without compromising the strength, life, stability and safety of the wall.
Backfilling and Compacting
- Backfilling with Gravel or Soil: The area behind the wall is filled up with gravel or soil, which is then compacted to provide additional support.
- Ensuring Proper Drainage: We install perforated pipes and other drainage solutions to prevent water accumulation, which can damage the wall over time.
Finishing Touches: Sealing, Painting, and Decorating
- Sealing: We apply sealant to protect the wall from moisture and weather damage, extending its lifespan. Sometimes we place fabric behind the wall to assist with filtering debris out and allowing water through..
- Painting: Paint or stain is chosen to enhance the wall’s appearance and ensure it complements your landscape.
- Decorating: Final touches like decorative caps, lighting, or plantings around the wall add the perfect finishing touch, making the wall both functional and beautiful.
Sandstone Retaining Walls
Another way to build a block wall is instead of using concrete blocks, you can build with sandstone blocks. They come in small blocks for hand building, right up to very large blocks that must be moved with machinery. The beauty of large sandstone blocks is that the wall looks very natural and you can decide how hewn you want the blocks to be. We can get them for you with smooth or rough cut sides… all depending on your design aesthetic.
Build a Retaining Wall Project for the Long Term with Our Help
Block wall retaining walls offer numerous benefits, including preventing soil erosion, creating usable space, and enhancing the overall look of your landscape. At Greener Landscaping, we pride ourselves on deliver high-quality, custom-designed retaining walls that meet your specific needs. Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you transform your outdoor space with a beautiful and durable block wall retaining wall.
