Retaining walls are essential when it comes to managing water runoff, preventing soil erosion and creating a usable flat area. They can be especially beneficial on sloped terrains. But you need to have careful planning so that the durability and effectiveness of the retaining wall are confirmed.
There are companies that specialise in building retaining walls Narrabeen. They will have more experience with what works in the conditions you have in your location. A big mistake when it comes to retaining walls is not planning and designing it properly. If you ignore site conditions such as the slope, soil type and drainage patterns, this can lead to wall failure. There has to be a thorough site analysis carried out and this will inform the design. Sometimes the wall will have an incorrect height. If you don’t consider proper engineering principles and build a wall that is too high, its stability can be compromised. You will need to have professional design and permitting for walls over a certain height. You also need to check local regulations to see what permits are needed before you can start the project. If you don’t comply with local building codes, you will need to deal with fines and sometimes the wall will need to be dismantled. When there is poor drainage there will be water pressure build up behind the wall. This can cause failure of the wall.
When water accumulates behind the wall
When no drainage system is incorporated, it will increase pressure and the wall will start to lean and collapse. Sometimes the drain pipes will be placed at the incorrect locations. They should be placed at the base of the wall so that water can be directed away from the structure. Drainage system will no longer be effective with incorrect placement. Another mistake is not using sufficient backfill material. Drainage has to be facilitated by crushed stone or gravel. If you use soil alone, this will retain water and add pressure to the wall. You have to use the right materials for the retaining wall as well. In the beginning, you need to choose the right type of wall. Here are cantilevered, gravity, sheet piling, and anchored retaining walls and these are suited for varying conditions. When you use low quality materials, it can result inpremature deterioration.
The foundation of the retaining wall is important for its stability.
Sometimes, the contractor will not dig deep enough and this can lead to an unstable foundation. The depth of the trench should be at least 1/8 of the wall’s height. Compacted gravel can be used at the base to give a solid foundation. If there is loose soil or sand here, the right support will not be provided and it can lead to wall to shift. You also need to ensure proper construction techniques are carried out. Each layer of backfill has to be properly compacted so that settling can be prevented. If there are taller walls, you will need reinforcement and not using this will compromise the wall’s ability withstand lateral earth pressure.
