On average, most retaining walls are between 3 and 4 feet high . This is optimal because it doesn't require any anchors, or expensive engineering methods, though in some cases the wall must be higher. Variables that affect the height of your retaining wall include: Extreme heights.
How do I know if I need a retaining wall?
- You Need Flat Land For Greenery To Grow. ...
- There Are Issues With Water Drainage. ...
- You're Concerned About Erosion. ...
- You're Looking For A Creative Way To Separate Your Backyard. ...
- You're Concerned About Your Foundation.
At what height is a retaining wall required?
Construction of retaining walls, except those less than 3 feet in height and not supporting surcharge, requires a permit and is regulated by the 2013 California Building Code (CBC) as amended and adopted by the County of San Diego.
How high can a single skin retaining wall be?
A single skin wall is only suitable to a height of around 450mm ; anything higher should be double-skinned for stability. Any wall higher than 1.2 metres must be designed by a structural engineer, who will take account of prevailing ground conditions, planned usage etc. and design a wall suitable to the project.
What is the easiest retaining wall to build?
For the average do-it-yourselfer, building a retaining wall is easiest when using masonry blocks that will be stacked no taller than three feet, with no mortar binding the stones or concrete members.
What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete . Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone. Installation or supplies, such as drainage stone or filter fabric, are not included.
Do I need drainage behind retaining wall?
Every retaining wall should include drainage stone behind the wall . ... If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.
What is the most cost effective retaining wall?
- Treated pine and is the least expensive material. ...
- Hardwood is more expensive than treated pine. ...
- Railway sleepers are another – slightly more expensive – option and are built to withstand ground and water contact.
- Concrete sleepers are more expensive.
What can I use instead of a retaining wall?
- Reinforced Soil Slopes.
- Natural Stone Walls.
- Wooden Timbers.
- Gabion Walls.
- Soil Bioengineered Walls.
How high a wall can I build?
Contact Drawing and Planning
If the infrastructure is not located next to a highway, it cannot exceed two metres in height . The right for you to erect or alter any fences, walls, or gates has been removed by the planning conditions.
How high can you build a 4 inch block wall?
A 4-inch-thick, nonreinforced concrete masonry screen wall should not be built higher than 6 feet, 8 inches unless it is supported laterally in the horizontal or vertical direction every 6 feet, 8 inches.
Can a retaining wall be single skin?
A garden retaining wall of up to 400mm high can be built out of a single skin wall of facing bricks or concrete block. A wall any higher than this needs to be thicker and there are several ways of achieving this.
Which retaining wall is best?
Concrete and Masonry Retaining Walls
Poured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.
How long do retaining walls last?
A concrete retaining wall can be expected to last anywhere from 50 to 100 years . Meanwhile, a brick masonry wall can be expected to last at least 100 years, though the quality of the work will play a role here.
Can you DIY a retaining wall?
Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it's best to use concrete retaining wall blocks , which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive. ... Plan to build your wall after a long period without rain, when the soil is dry.
Does a retaining wall add value to your home?
With a broader range of appeal, investing in landscaping can add up to 15 percent to the value of a home , and an average return of 100 to 200 percent. ... Not only does a retaining wall add structural integrity to a yard that is sloped, but the right retaining wall can add significant aesthetic value to the property.
