Retaining walls are stabilizing structures that are used for holding back earth. There are many reasons for building these structures, some of which include preventing erosion, aesthetic purposes, and stabilizing sloped yards. In the mountains of Vermont, retaining walls are not just aesthetic, they are often absolutely necessary.
For homes on steep slopes, large rocks can be used to create a foundation for a level driveway as well as to hold back the earth above to prevent erosion. At Fiore Property Services, we have the equipment to move and set large boulders for larger retaining walls.
Some reasons you might need a retaining wall
Preventing Soil Erosion: A retaining wall can be used to prevent soil from being washed away, through erosion. The wall prevents rainwater or water from irrigation activities from washing off soil from your property.
Stability: Add ing a driveway to or Landscaping a sloped yard poses a great challenge. The sloping causes lateral pressure that may lead to the movement of soil downwards. In order to create level areas of ground that will not succumb to the lateral pressure of gravity and continuous use, you need to build a retaining wall, which will redistribute and accommodate this pressure, and thus allow you to add a driveway or landscape without the soil sliding downwards.
Visual Interest: In order to create a visually appealing landscape design, you may need to build a retaining wall to hold back earth. For instance, you may use the walls to create an artificial hill to enclose your garden, or create a usable surface area that you can implement your landscaping ideas.
This “before and after” image is a close up that shows the original forms in place to hold back the earth below the shed before the retaining wall was built, and then the wall after it was built.
Below is a photo of the entire completed retaining wall using Sigma Wall® Pavingstones®.
Retaining walls can be built using a wide variety of materials. At Fiore Property Services, we are specialists in building retaining walls using local, natural rock, Cambridge Sigma Wall® retaining wall block, Pavingstones®, and concrete block. All of these materials can be matched to walkway or driveway materials for a cohesive look. Contact us today to learn more about retaining wall construction.