Whenever you have an outdoor project, be it for gardening, style, or for landscaping, you probably need a retaining wall.

What is a retaining wall and how can you make use of it? Basically, a retaining wall is a sturdy structure that retains any materials within its reach such soil from eroding or sliding. It can also be sued in protecting your houses from soil erosion when you live in a such sloping area. There are many functions and purposes of retaining walls.

What are the types of retaining wall?

Retaining walls come in different types, and it is important that you identify first the one that you need before building any retaining wall for any project. For smaller objects, you have two options which are the sheet pile and gravity retaining walls. Sheet pile retaining walls are made from a variety of materials such as wood, vinyl, and steel. On the other hand, gravity retaining walls are commonly made from concrete or stone to resist a mass of materials behind. It is also commonly used on the hillside properties. There are also other materials that can be used in building retaining walls such as anchored walls and bricks. When you have a plan on building one, you need to find a professional and legit retaining wall contractor San Francisco in order for you to maximize the benefits it provides.

What are the uses of a retaining wall?

This structure is built for several functions and purposes. They can be used to protect some shorelines and hillsides from eroding, or for protecting your house. They can even be used to support bridges and roads. Some of these retaining walls are used and built on commercial spaces but they can also be seen frequently in residential areas especially on the hillsides. Aside from this, homeowners use this for beautification and landscaping purposes as this can also provide aesthetics in your lawn, yard, or garden.

What are the costs?

As mentioned, we recommend you to hire professional services rather than doing it on your own. There are many risks involved in doing projects with little knowledge. Generally, the costs depend on the material you will be using as well as the size of the project you will be doing. We do not recommend a DIY project as this will cause accidents and entails expenses for damage.

Is it necessary to obtain a building permit?

This is a frequent question that clients ask. The answer entirely depends on what kind of wall you will be building. When you want to construct a wall that is more than 12 inches in height from the ground, zoning might be needed. When you are planning on building walls over four feet in height might need building permits, or while six feet walls might need commercial engineering review.

We have provided you the basics of retaining walls and the things you need to know in order for you to make an informed judgment before deciding. Remember that these walls have different purposes and the cost, as well as the labor needed, vary depending on the materials and size of the project. Always contact a professional contractor.