If you’re dealing with a sloping landscape or trying to protect your property from water runoff damage, there’s a good chance someone has suggested a retaining wall. A retaining wall is more than just an extra feature for enhancing your property: it’s a strong and practical option for preventing soil erosion and soil collapse. But if you’re not in the earthworks business, you may not have heard of it before. What is a retaining wall and why is it useful?
Pinnacle Earthworks is an Adelaide-owned and operated earthmoving company with solutions tailored to South Australian conditions. Fully licensed and insured, we carry out every stage of the retaining wall building process from site preparation to construction and backfilling.
So what is a retaining wall, why is it useful and what are the different kinds of retaining walls available? This article is the Pinnacle Earthworks guide to these stabilising structures and their many benefits.
What is a retaining wall?
Retaining walls come in several designs, shapes and styles. They can be built for all kinds of properties and soil types and they require very little maintenance once installed. So what is a retaining wall and what does it do?
A retaining wall is a rigid, solid and stable structure built to hold a mass of earth in place (e.g. at the end of a terrace or excavation) and stop it from sliding and eroding. Used on both residential and commercial properties, retaining walls support soil at different levels in order to manage sloping or uneven landscapes. Built from materials such as brick, stone and concrete, they add texture and aesthetic appeal to outdoor spaces on top of their functional benefits.
Why are retaining walls useful?
The main reason you need to install a retaining wall is to hold back soil or water, e.g. to accommodate sloping ground or manage water runoff to avoid property damage. A retaining wall needs to withstand tons of pressure and the higher it is, the more structural integrity it needs. Other reasons to install a retaining wall include:
Protecting the plants and fauna
Stabilising the soil with a retaining wall also prevents erosion causing damage to trees, gardens and other forms of plant life.
Enhancing useable land
A retaining wall can turn an uneven patch of sloping land into a space that’s well-suited for planting a garden, building a patio or laying down a driveway.
Structural support and safety
Retaining walls hold back soil that could otherwise pose a danger to people and other structures on the property if let loose. They protect foundations from shifting due to the movement of soil and help protect structural integrity.
Aesthetic appeal and design
While most of their benefits are focused on functionality, retaining walls can also enhance the look and feel of a property with simple but classy designs. Materials like concrete and brick blend effortlessly with the landscape for a simple rustic aesthetic.
Types of retaining walls
What is a retaining wall usually made from? Pinnacle Earthworks has four different types of retaining walls for Adelaide properties and budgets:
Concrete sleepers
Concrete sleepers are the most popular option for retaining walls in Adelaide, offering exceptional durability, versatility and flexibility. Concrete sleeper walls are low-maintenance retaining walls with 50+ year lifespans, making them cost-effective investments.
Rock and stone walls
Rock and stone retaining walls combine timeless beauty and exceptional strength into a combination that’s perfect for the Adelaide Hills region. Types available through Pinnacle Earthworks include moss rock, sandstone, fieldstone and Bluestone. All of them provide a natural and organic look perfect for Adelaide Hills Heritage homes.
Gabion walls
Gabion walls combine contemporary design with old-fashioned strength. Cost-effective, with excellent drainage properties, they have a unique industrial-modern appearance.
Retaining wall blocks
Our concrete retaining wall blocks are versatile and easy to install, and we have a number of different kinds available including Versawall, Boral and standard concrete blocks.
Get your free retaining wall quote with Pinnacle Earthworks
Now you know what a retaining wall is and understand its benefits, it’s time to choose a company that can build a reliable and trustworthy one.
Pinnacle Earthworks provides earthmoving services throughout the Adelaide region including Adelaide Hills and all the way out to Murray Bridge. Our fully qualified and experienced tradespeople can carry out the entire process of building a retaining wall from site preparation to applying the finishing touches.
With personalised service, state-of-the-art equipment and value for money, Pinnacle Earthworks delivers exceptional results for our community. We understand the local environment and its soil conditions and draw on that knowledge to build the retaining walls best suited to your home or commercial property. A free retaining wall quote gives you a clear idea of what to expect when you install your own retaining wall. To find out more, call 0400 084 944 or e-mail admin@pinnacleearthworks.com.