Not all home lots are flat, and neither is your landscaping. A retaining wall can help stabilize your land, improve the functionality of the lot your home is built on, and protect your yard and home. Here’s what to know about retaining walls and some reasons to consider a retaining wall for your home:

What is a Retaining Wall?

Retaining walls are structures that are designed to stabilize soil on a slope or hill or create more level areas on sloped land. It holds back or restrains soil or other materials on a property. They are meant to retain boundaries to prevent soil erosion or collapse, particularly in uneven or sloped areas.

Retaining walls can also be used to help manage drainage and water runoff, create more usable space, and enhance a property aesthetically. They are usually made of poured concrete or concrete blocks, but can also be constructed of another natural stone, interlocking blocks, or timber.

4 Reasons to Consider a Retaining Wall

There are many benefits of installing a retaining wall. In addition to improving the functionality and stability of your property, a properly installed retaining wall can also protect your home from water damage and boost curb appeal.

Here are a few reasons to consider a retaining wall:

1. Your home is on a sloped lot.
2. Water pools in your yard or around your home.
3. Your yard is difficult to use or navigate.
4. You want to improve your landscaping.

1. Your Home is on a Sloped Lot

If your home sits on a sloped lot or your land is uneven or features hills, a retaining wall can be a great tool for stabilizing the soil, preventing erosion, and evening out your lot. Not only does this protect your home, protect your home’s foundation from structural issues, and maintain your land over time, but it also makes it easier for you to create and maintain landscaping.

Because retaining walls also help with improving drainage and managing water run-off, they can also help protect your home from water damage. Plus, a retaining wall or multiple retaining walls can help you define boundaries on a sloped lot or create more functional, usable levels on uneven land.

2. Water Pools in Your Yard or Around Your Home

If you notice water pooling in your yard or around your home, it could be a reason to consider a retaining wall. If water is pooling around your home, start by checking your gutters and downspouts first. If those are in good shape and don’t need to be repaired or replaced, then it could be worth considering a retaining wall to help direct water runoff and improve the water drainage of your yard.

Using retaining walls to improve water drainage can help:

• Manage water runoff
• Keep your yard in good condition
• Prevent flooding and pooling
• Reduce damage to your home from bad weather
• Prevent soil erosion
• Prevent sinkholes

3. Your Yard is Difficult to Use or Navigate

Another one of the reasons to consider a retaining wall is to flatten hills or slopes to create more functional and usable space in a yard. Not only does this improve water drainage and runoff to prevent soil erosion, but it also makes it easier to walk around and navigate the land. Plus, creating boundaries and leveling out these areas makes them more functional and easier to use. This can also help you simplify and reduce yard maintenance.

4. You Want to Improve Your Landscaping

If you want to improve your landscaping, especially by adding a garden, creating a concrete patio, or building another structure on a slope, consider a retaining wall. Not only will this help create a stable, level area for this structure, but it will also help protect it over time, as well as protect the rest of your yard and your home.

Retaining walls can also be used to create more visible boundaries for raised garden beds, driveway entrances, and more. They can even be used to add privacy to your backyard or add a solid layer of noise reduction to help soundproof outdoor spaces.

Retaining walls can also separate grassy areas from other areas of your backyard, like swimming pools or patios, or be a backdrop for shrubs or other plants. In addition to improving function, these use cases for retaining walls can also enhance aesthetics and boost curb appeal.

Build or Repair a Retaining Wall For Your Home With Zephyr Thomas

These are a few reasons to consider a retaining wall for your property. Whether you need to repair or replace an existing retaining wall or are exploring options to build one on your property, Zephyr Thomas can help. Contact us at 717-399-4708 to talk about your project and schedule a free estimate!