A retaining wall can increase the beauty of the site as well as serve a practical purpose. Uneven terrain can add visual interest and variety in the landscape. Changes in grade may be used for recreational and gardening areas, as well as to provide proper surface drainage. Color and shape of rock used should be carefully incorporated to unify a design with the overall landscape.

There are several things you should consider in construction of retaining walls to reduce grade or slope. The wall will usually be more stable if developed into a gentle curve. In informal landscaping, curved lines tend to be more pleasing to the eye than straight lines, while straight walls may need to be bolstered with columns or jogs to improve stability.

Materials

Materials you can use for wall construction include: native stone, ledge rock, brick, tile, broken concrete, concrete blocks and railroad ties. If you are building a stone retaining wall, the type and quality of the stones are important. Some stones are very hard and resist weathering while others, such as shale, are soft and will crumble.

Factors

Retaining wall design and wall type selection is driven by several factors. These factors include cost, required wall height, speed of construction, ground water conditions and soil characteristics. Any wall over three feet high will need special requirements and most likely require a professional.

Before starting a retaining wall project, check with your local building codes. Soil conditions might need special attention during construction and a permit might be necessary. When altering a slope, the effects might run past your property line. Building a retaining wall requires moving some ground. If at all possible, use a terraced effect by building low walls on a slope rather than a single high one.

Since there is a substantial amount of excavating involved in building a retaining wall, hiring a professional who has access to equipment designed for this purpose would be a good idea. Drainage considerations, foundations, reinforcing rods and more make this a complicated job that is best left to the pros.

To find a professional contractor, visit Home Advisor, fill out a service request and let Home Advisor help you locate service professionals in your area.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com