How deep should the footing be for a retaining wall?
rule
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. For example, if your wall will be three feet (36 inches) tall, the first course of blocks should start five inches below soil level. The gravel base should start three inches below this.
What is the cheapest method of building 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 rebar in a retaining wall?
A retaining wall must provide a way to release the water that builds up in the slope behind it. Retaining walls must be stronger than freestanding walls. Insert rebar in the footing when you pour it; this should be done at every three blocks or at intervals specified by your local codes.
Do I need weep holes in retaining wall?
Retaining walls are useful structures that form a transition between areas of different elevation. Retaining walls allow steep, unusable slopes to be avoided. Weep holes should be drilled through the wall. Weep holes allow water to escape from behind the wall.
How thick should a retaining wall be?
215mm thick
Retaining walls can be tricky to build as they need to be strong enough to resist horizontal soil pressure where there are differing ground levels. One of the things you must get right is the thickness of the wall. It should be at least 215mm thick and bonded or made of two separate brick skins tied together.
How high can I build a retaining wall?
As a general recommendation, the maximum height of a properly built stacked stone retaining wall is 5 feet under ideal conditions—the grade behind the wall is flat and the soil is sandy. A clay soil puts extra pressure on a retaining wall because clay, especially when wet, is extremely heavy.
How effective is retaining walls?
Retaining walls often serve a very important role of preventing soil erosion and maintaining the grade of a landscape . They often hold the land back, preventing it from sliding. Retaining walls can be as beautiful as they are functional and can be the focal point of a landscape.
Is a retaining wall necessary?
Retaining walls were first used for the simple and necessary task of holding back earth. Erosion is a natural process, but when it means soil being washed off your property or worse, accumulating against the side of your home, a retaining wall can be an essential part of your landscaping. These walls are not only functional, though.