Retaining walls are usually used for sloping backyards. Sometimes a retaining wall is used to add more room for the pool by cutting into a small hillside, or to allow for perimeter space all the way around the pool. Some home owners incorporate a retaining wall into a water feature, such as wall spouts or rock waterfalls - but that's a topic for another day.

Perhaps your property is level, but you want to add a dramatic backdrop to your pool with a raised wall on the far side. On top of the wall, you can add water features, a raised spa or additional pool deck spaces. Retaining walls can be topped with small bushes to add greenery and act as a barrier to blowing leaves. They can also serve a safety function by restricting access on one side of the pool.

It depends on the slope of your backyard. Remember, you always want water to flow away from the pool, not towards it. If your yard is steep, or there is a hill or drop-off in close proximity to the pool, it will be necessary to build a retaining wall to keep water (and dirt) away from your pool.

This is determined in the planning stage and placement of the pool. With a plat of your property showing elevations, proper placement of the pool and the appropriate landscaping can be determined. We can help with that. If your backyard has hills, slopes and valleys, a retaining wall will most likely be needed.

SLAB: The most durable material would be a concrete slab or poured concrete for a retaining wall. This is not normally used for small backyard retaining walls however. More commonly used is a type of retaining wall known as a "Gravity Wall".

TIMBERS: Many retaining walls are made of timber, usually pressure treated 6x6. Depending on the weight and slope pushing on the timber, this may not be suitable. Timber often doesnt hold up as long as concrete, boulder or slab retaining walls. Wood retaining walls can be made stronger with the use of perpendicular supports, what's called a "dead-man". These are equally spaced behind a wall, every third course to keep the wall from being pushed too easily in the wrong direction.

BLOCKS: A popular option are interlocking concrete blocks, commonly known as a segmented retaining wall. These walls can be easily built, and are engineered to create an extremely strong wall, when properly installed.

STONES: A concrete block wall, mortared in place and strengthened by steel and concrete is finished with a facing of flagstone, or field stone, with cap stones on top. Certainly one of your most expensive options, but also one of the sturdiest retaining walls. Various stone types (and bricks) and several methods of stacking would be available.

BOULDERS: Natural boulders, which allow drainage, can make a quickly constructed retaining wall. The common size boulder recommended is 18 to 24 and they are stacked against the slope to keep them from rolling into the pool ~ Try getting that out with your skimmer net! Boulders and large flat rocks can also be worked into a natural landscape with big foliage and maybe a water feature.

If you can imagine it, you can build it! Wall When you have different elevations, one could plumb their retaining wall for a sheer decent water feature or a natural stream bed, deck jets, water spouts or tall overflowing planters. Anything is possible. Very small fountains can be run off of your filter pump, but if you are planning a large volume water feature, you typically will install an additional pump, which draws water out of a wall intake, and pumps it to your waterfall, cascade or jets.

PLAN: First, plan out what type of material you will use and how long and high the retaining wall will be. With a survey plat of your property, showing elevation, mark the location of your retaining wall.

PERMITS: This will be rolled into your overall construction permit in most cases. For small retaining walls, under 24 inches tall, you may not need a permit in many areas. it is important to try to keep your walls 5 high or less. Over than 5 will require an Engineer's stamped plan which must be submitted with the pool construction application. If you have room, having two smaller retaining walls, terrace style, is usually a better result than one taller wall.

EXCAVATE: The footing or foundation for your retaining wall should be deep and wide. Dig out at least 24 wide and 18" deep. Measure to be sure you have dug or excavated a consistent depth. In many cases, your pool excavator or grader can dig this while the pool is being dug, and can work from the plans and markings made ready for his arrival.

GRAVEL: Make sure that you compact the soil in the bottom of the trench and lay 6 gravel. Begin to lay your first course, directly on top of the gravel. Filter fabric should be used behind the wall extending from the bottom of the base of the wall to the top of the wall. This will prevent soil from seeping through the wall.

BUILD: The first course, or bottom row should be placed at least 6 below the ground level, or about 1/10th of the wall height. Use long rebar pieces, driven through your block or timber with a sledge hammer, to help hold the first course in place. Continue to build the blocks or timbers vertically, leaning towards the slope until you have reached the desired height. As mentioned previously, certain materials are limited as to how high they can be built. Check your local building and zoning website for retaining wall height restrictions.

DRAINAGE: Place drainage tile (perforated black pipe) behind the wall as necessary, depending on the type of soil and height of the wall. Cover the pipe in 6-12" of gravel. The drainage tile should be come through the wall at every low point, or at the end of the wall, or every 10-20 feet.

BACKFILL: Make sure you use free draining material as back fill, behind the wall. Sandy soil or gravel can be used, over top of the landscape fabric.Finally, fill in all areas behind the wall with soil, and compact every 12.

SPP sells DIY Inground Pool Kits. This article, and many others like it under the heading of "How to Build a Pool", are part of our commitment to helping you build your own inground swimming pool. If you have other questions on swimming pool retaining walls, or any part of DIY pool construction - give us a call at 800-893-7665. We can help you plan accordingly.

Bob Arnold SPP Pool Expert

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How to Build a Pool: Retaining Walls - poolproducts.com

This backyard features a series of 2-3 foot tall terraced retaining walls that create a unique look and provide usable outdoor space. Romani Landscape Architecture in Glencoe, IL.

A retaining wall is intended to hold back soil when there is a drastic change in elevation. Often retaining walls are used to terrace yards that originally had a steep slope. Additionally, retaining walls can help create usable outdoor space as well as control erosion, (see Landscaping a Split-Level Home.) Low retaining walls are frequently used as planting beds and can add interest to an otherwise flat yard.

If you are considering hiring someone to build a landscape retaining wall on your property you'll want to have a basic understanding of what goes into proper retaining wall design. This way you'll be sure to get a quality wall that will last for years without problems. An improperly built retaining wall may bulge, crack or lean, creating an unsightly eyesore and a headache for you.

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See how retaining walls made of cinderblock topped with travertine can be used to add structure and beauty to a sloped landscape.

This drawing shows a cross-section of a 4' retaining wall.

Moisture can remain behind a retaining wall long after the runoff is gone. It seeps into the masonry traveling straight through. On the dry side it will evaporate leaving behind mineral efflorescence or discoloring mildew. Moisture is the enemy of decorative veneer such as stucco, stone and tile. This is why it's essential to use a substantial waterproof membrane on the back of every retaining wall just as it is applied to the back of basement walls where the same conditions occur. There are various types of membranes, and your contractor will know the most effective one for your local climate and soil type. Any time you put soil behind a wall, be sure to use membranes to protect the beauty of its face.

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Retaining Wall Basics - Landscaping Network

What is a Retaining Wall?

Retaining Wall Planter

A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls like concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil.

Several questions must be considered in order to build the proper type of retaining wall. For example, is the soil sand, clay, or something in between? What is above the wall: a driveway or something heavier like a pool? Will the ground above or below the wall be level or sloped? What is the height of the wall? All of these factors will determine whether you will need a Gravity Retaining Wall or a Geogrid Reinforced Retaining Wall.

Gravity retaining walls are walls that depend on their own weight and setback to retain the soil and are typically shorter in height. Allan Block retaining walls are ideal for this type of wall, because as they are stacked together they lock into place to form a setback. This setback helps the wall support the pressure from the soils behind it.

Reinforced retaining walls are walls that use some type of reinforcement to give more strength to the retaining wall structure, thus improving its ability to retain the soils behind it. For SRWs (Segmental Retaining Walls), we refer to this reinforcement as geogrid or grid. Geogrid is placed between courses of blocks in the wall and rolled back into the slope or hillside during installation to create a stronger and more stable soil mass. In laymans terms, the blocks, the geogrid and the reinforced soil mass work together to make one large, heavy retaining wall structure. Sometimes grid is not a usable solution on a project due to space or other site conditions, so alternative reinforcement materials need to be used such as no-fines concrete, soil nails or earth anchors. These types of reinforcement typically require a local engineer for the design and a certified contractor for the installation

Retaining Wall

Over the years many different retaining wall materials have helped to alter the landscape in which we live. Common retaining wall products include railroad ties or treated timbers as well as wall stones, natural stones, bricks and concrete block.

While wood is often an inexpensive and simple choice for a retaining wall, its short lifespan makes it a relatively poor choice. As the wood decomposes, so does your retaining wall and the integrity of your usable space. Stones, rocks or boulders can create beautiful retaining walls, but the installation of these materials can be expensive and labor intensive. Furthermore, maintenance of stone walls can be difficult, because over time or they may erode or become home to rodents and weeds.

Cast-in place or mortared retaining walls are another option. These walls can be installed with a variety of veneers, bricks, flagstones, etc. which add texture and style. However, these structures are rigid and do not move and flex with climate changes, earthquakes and other natural forces, and can be very expensive to build.

SRWs (Segmental Retaining Walls) like the Allan Block products, offer concrete masonry blocks that are modular and interlocking for ease of use. Simply stack the mortarless blocks together using our installation information, and create a maintenance-free retaining wall that will add usable land, fix a grading or slope issue, and solve many other site problems. These SRWs use similar construction techniques as found in the mortarless construction of the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt and will stand the test of time. SRWs come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors as well as different facing textures. Some of the more common textures offer a hard-split or soft-split look, a tumbled look, or more recently a stamped face. Concrete blocks made out of recycled materials are also available. Once you build a wall with an SRW you can be sure it is built to last.

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What is a Retaining Wall - Allan Block

Form Meets Function with Retaining Walls

While decorative, retaining walls form a highly functional component of many landscape design projects. Crafted from a variety of materials, a retaining wall acts to hold back soil that otherwise would move downward with the force of gravity.

At Rivertown Landscapes, we have utilized all manner of retaining walls in our landscape designs, from decorative boulder walls to functional retaining walls for seating. No matter the use, we will collaborate with you to design a retaining wall that both does its job and adds ambiance to the landscape.

Many landscape firms fall short of expectations when the materials they choose fail their clients. At Rivertown, we work directly with trusted, quality suppliers, individually hand-inspecting and selecting our materials for the highest quality and most favorable form. Be assured that our boulder and retaining walls will combine both form and functionality.

If you are interested in adding a boulder or retaining wall to your landscape, we invite you to request a consultation or contact us at 616.866.1700 for a no-obligation consultation. Well perform an initial evaluation of the property and explain how Rivertown Landscapes can help make your landscape dreams become a reality.

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Retaining Walls Grand Rapids | Landscaping Walls | Boulder ...

Get Design Ideas and See How to Build a Retaining Wall 12 Videos

An unfinished retaining wall plays a key role in the Moss brothers' design.

Here's how to build an easy retaining wall from pressure-treated lumber.

Susie Coelho demonstrates the steps in building a boulder retaining wall.

Build a stone retaining wall with an interlocking concrete-block system.

A tongue-and-groove system makes short work of building a retaining wall.

The most important part of a retaining wall is the base.

Think a straight wall's easier to build than a curved one? Think again!

There are any number of types of materials available for retaining walls.

Proper backfilling is one of the keys to building a strong retaining wall.

Getting the base course level is essential; there's no room for error.

Proper backfilling is one of the keys to building a strong retaining wall.

Your wall will hold back a lot of dirt, so height is a consideration.

Without proper drainage, your load-bearing wall may be in for problems.

The most important part of a retaining wall is the base.

If the retaining wall goes into a hill, these tips will save you some work.

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DIY Retaining Wall Tips & Ideas | DIY

The areanext to the storage shed is highest in elevation for the layout.Because the yard slopes down from that point, I will be building aretaining wall next to the patio to have a level area for pond andphase I of the layout.

For some time, I thought about what material to use for a retaining wall. My first choice was to use field stone, piled dry. While this is an easy to build solution, it is also quite espensive. I would need about $900 worth of stone, perhaps more to make the wall. In addition, it would look odd next to the house with it's brick foundation. My second choice was to use the retaining wall blocks, the ones with a tab in the rear to lock onto the course below. This too would be easy to build, but it would also look out of place next to the house. It would also not result in a vertical wall. My third option was to build a brick retaining wall. This would be the most time consuming to build since I would need to mortar many bricks into place, but it would (nearly) match the brick in the existing foundation. I would top it with poured concrete capstones, providing a nice, flat shelf for sitting on as well as other uses.

I decided on a brick retaining wall. It will be about 27" tall at the patio, low enough that one could see it while sitting down. The wall would have to jog around the train closet door, and would extend out back for about thirty feet.

The brick was delivered on Thursday, 15 June 2000. Three cubes worth, or about 1600 bricks. It took two evenings to move the three tons of bricks to the patio in the backyard.

The weather was not cooperating, so to prevent the trench from filling up with water, I covered it with plastic. Welded wire fencing was put atop the trench to support the plastic. I also made a ventilation tunnel to help in the evaporation of any water that findes its way into the trench.

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Chapter 1 - Retaining Wall - Duke University

About G & K Cadoo The Retaining Wall Experts in Brisbane

At G & K Cadoo, we have over 30 years of experience on machines and trucks building the highest quality retaining walls and landscape gardens dating back to early 1980.

We are blessed to be considered as one of the finest retaining wall builders in Brisbane, in fact it would be very rare to see a better retaining wall builder in Brisbane then right here at G & K Cadoo.

Wepride ourselves onour craftsmanship and attention to detail when building quality and affordable retaining walls for our Brisbane clients.No job is too big or small for the retaining walls experts at G & K Cadoo.

Our retaining walls are built to last. We source the highest quality materials straight from the local Brisbane quarries from sandstone to natural granite you can rest assured youll be getting nothing short of the highest quality retaining wall in Brisbane.

We work closely with our clients to tailor our services to their needs and budget, creating the perfect retaining walls for their Brisbane property. To view our previous work, please visit our retaining wall gallery.

We have our own 14 tonne excavator, a 5 tonne excavator, a 5.5 tonne rubber tracked excavator, a 4 tonne bobcat, a 5 tonne rubber tracked bobcat, a heavy duty western star truck fitted with rock bodies and swinging tail gates and a 3 axle float trailer.

Apart from building retaining walls, we also have many years experience in building and delisting dams, timber clearing, site cuts, civil and road works, and miles of drainage.

We deal directly with the local Brisbane quarries on a daily basses ensuring you get looking after when it comes to quality.

With over 30 years of experience and expertise building retaining walls,we have garnered a solidreputation amongst the Brisbane community for building the highest quality retaining walls at the most competitive prices.

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Retaining Walls Brisbane - Granite Walls, Sandstone Walls ...

Lifting and turning a L-shape retaining wall element

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Lifting and turning a L-shape retaining wall element - Video

sap2000 lesson17 "retaining wall" (Anas Dawas)
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Kioti NX6010 cutting, digging hill filling retaining wall
Digging hillside for shed addition, and to fill retaining wall. Appreciating the power of the NX series 60 hp cutting into virgin clay hill...

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Kioti NX6010 cutting, digging hill & filling retaining wall - Video