Retaining walls are a dandy solution for level off out flat areas when you ’re trying to landscape a hill . However , if you ’re building one yourself , you may be wonder how far apart the posts should be . We ’ve done the research and have the respectable reply for you .
Retaining wall posts should be at least three feet aside . The distance can be slimly foresighted or shortsighted if it works better with your measurements . However , you should n’t go more than seven groundwork aside to make certain your rampart is sturdy enough .
Continue translate for a cryptical dive into build retaining wall , including the idealistic astuteness for retain wall posts and the best material to utilise . We ’ll also discuss the maximum stature of keep on wall and how you should handle drainage payoff .
Distance Between Retaining Wall Posts
When you ’re build a retaining wall , you ’ll want to appraise the full distance of your bulwark and then calculate the phone number of posts you ’ll need . If your distance is n’t evenly divided by three , you’re able to slightly adjust the aloofness between your continue paries posts .
Though you may adjust the distance between your retaining wall posts , verify you do n’t congeal them too far apart . In general , the heavier load they ’ll be bearing , the nigher they involve to be to each other . For a miserable , cosmetic wall , you may go farther aside than for a high-pitched wall that will be bear a plenty of exercising weight .
How Deep Do Posts Need to Be for Retaining Walls?
When you place your retaining wall posts , check that you toil down at least half the elevation of your retaining rampart plus four inches . This will ensure your posts are cryptic enough to provide a firm institution for your retaining wall .
You could dig up down with a manual post hole digger , but hire or buying an screw auger powerhead will make the job go much faster .
Click here to shop plumber’s snake powerheads at Amazon .
What Are the Best Materials for a Retaining Wall?
Retaining walls are incredibly various . They can be build up to almost any height and out of unlike materials . The good material for you will calculate on several constituent , include how handy you are and your budget .
Wood
woodwind has several benefits for a keep back rampart . First , it ’s fairly well-situated to knead with for a DIYer . A retaining paries made of pressure - plow lumber can last up to 10 to 20 years . Depending on the price of lumber when you buy your wood , it can be comparatively inexpensive .
woodwind is also versatile as far as designing your wall . It can equip into almost every style of decor . The biggest drawback to using wood for your retaining rampart is that it does n’t last as long as most other materials .
A wooden retain wall will eventually have to be replaced . Another drawback to wood is that it is n’t as sturdy as most other materials . It ca n’t hold up the type of lading that stone can .
Poured Concrete
A poured concrete wall is the cheapest option for a retaining wall . It ’s also long - lasting and strong . If you necessitate a high retaining rampart that can bear a lot of weight unit , concrete may be a great option for you . However , concrete retaining walls can have a very gross and industrial look , which may not work with a pile of dwelling style .
While there are ornamental treatment option for concrete conclusion , they can bestow significantly to the damage . You ’ll also need some serious DIY skills and equipment to handle pouring concrete yourself . So it ’s probably not the best option if you ’re just planning a weekend project .
Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks can be a not bad alternative for retaining wall under four feet . They are readily usable at home improvement computer storage and are easy for homeowners to install .
They are n’t the cheap pick , but their easiness of installation means you wo n’t need overweight - obligation equipment to build your wall . In addition , concrete blocks are durable and stiff , so you may expect your wall to last a farseeing time .
Bricks
Brick keep walls have a beautiful , classic look that many homeowners love . Most retaining walls that look to be brick are made with concrete masonry unit ( CMU ) blocks with reinforced steel . The brick is then employ to the exposed areas as a veneer . This importantly reduce the cost of a brick retaining wall .
Older brick retaining walls were made with two brick wall that were several inches apart . The cavity between the walls was filled with concrete or grout and steel structural supports . These types of walls can still be establish today but are much more expensive .
Click here to check out brick veneers on Amazon .
What Is the Maximum Height of a Retaining Wall?
If you ’re building a retaining bulwark yourself , you probably should n’t go over four groundwork . you’re able to expend interlocking concrete cylinder block to build a keep on wall up to about four groundwork before you have to start worry about adding structural living .
Various factors have an upshot on how high you should build a retaining rampart , including the type of ground and if you have a walker in place . For labored loads or walls over four pes , you ’ll involve to confer with an applied scientist who can give you advice specific to your situation .
Do Retaining Walls Need Drainage?
wrong drainage can cause your hold rampart to fail . All keep wall should admit some character of drainage . Depending on what your rampart is made of , how high it is , and what type of grime you have , you may postulate to include extra drainage .
Base Layer
The first footmark to making sure your retain wall drain right is making sure your base is level . If it ’s not , water may dampen out some area and make an unstable wall . This can result to your paries collapsing .
Drainage Stone
All walls call for stone behind the wall . Put a six to eight - inch layer of loose tilt behind the wall up to six inches below the top of the paries . Loose rock drain water much unspoilt than land . low rock’n’roll is better for drain than smooth river rock since it clings to the wall better .
Landscape Fabric
Place landscape painting textile between your drain stone and your stain . This will keep the rocks freestanding from the land , which could clog it and prevent it from draining . It will also help discontinue your soil from turn tail from behind the wall .
chatter here to shop for landscape painting fabric on Amazon .
Perforated Drainage Pipe
This is a corrugated electron tube with jam in it that guide the entire duration of your wall . You may not require a drain tube , but it ’s never a spoiled mind to put in one . There are some situation where you will definitely want one . These include :
Drainage Hole
Your pipe will need a drain release . you could cut a yap in your retain wall for the drainage pipe , or you could execute the pipe underneath the wall . If you ’re using segmental blocks , you could also use a oecumenical wall run out to allow an electric outlet for your drainage tobacco pipe .
Click here to shop for penetrate drainage pipes on Amazon .
In Closing
A retaining wall can add smasher and value to your home . It can also help you reclaim unuseable sections of your 1000 if you live on a hill . No matter what material you choose for your hold wall , it ’s essential you provide a satisfying initiation by piddle sure your situation are the correct distance apart , buried to the right deepness , and that you bring home the bacon adequate drainage .
If you ’re planning to build a retain bulwark , you may be interested in some of our other article as well :
Should You Glue Retaining Wall Blocks ?
Can You construct A keep Wall On Your Property Line ?
