Disadvantages of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are among the most often used structural elements in landscaping. In landscaping, retaining walls are utilized as stabilizing structures for sloped terrain. Any retaining wall, whatever its design, needs to be strong enough to relieve pressure brought on the slope. It is usually not a good idea to build a wall on a low budget at expect the retaining wall to last. If you do the wall yourself or hire a low budget company then you may run into the following problems in the future:
Vertical fissures, the potential a collapsing wall, the need for extensive upkeep, drainage issues, and aesthetic eyesores are some of the drawbacks of erecting retaining walls.
Consider the drawbacks of trying to save money when building your retaining wall. It will most likely cost you more in the future if the wall becomes cracked or collapses. Call Dallas Retaining Walls and we can put together a free quote and go over financing options for you. This way you can know your wall was constructed the right way and you can avoid the following headaches!
Vertical Fissures
Retaining walls might develop vertical fissures. Some retaining walls, such as those made of poured concrete, start to develop vertical fissures. This is frequently caused by high pressure or significant temperature fluctuations. Provide enough proper drainage, which is frequently expensive to complete, to stop these vertical fissures.
Retaining Walls Can Collapse
Retaining walls can be expensive to construct, which is the main reason people try to build them by themselves or hire a low budget company. If you’re DIYing your retaining wall, be sure to research the materials and process them thoroughly beforehand. Retaining walls can require a lot of maintenance, from checking for cracks to ensuring the soil behind the wall is properly compacted. If not constructed properly, retaining walls can collapse, which can lead to serious damage (and expense). Before deciding on whether or not to build a retaining wall, weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Retaining Walls Can Require a Lot of Maintenance If Not Build Right
This can be costly, and if not done properly, retaining walls can collapse, causing serious damage to property and even injuries or fatalities. They can also become unsightly if they are not kept up with, affecting the curb appeal of your home.
In some cases, homeowners insurance may not cover damages caused by a collapsing retaining wall. If you’re considering installing a retaining wall on your property, be sure to factor the cost of ongoing maintenance into your budget.
Ineffective Foundation
Under stress, brick retaining walls frequently collapse. In order to avoid moisture, retaining walls need a lot of drainage resources, but they also need a sturdy base. Some retaining walls, such as brick walls, won’t be able to withstand significant soil pressure. This frequently leads to foundation failure or collapsing bricks.
Retaining walls can block or redirect natural drainage patterns, causing water to pool in areas it wouldn’t normally. This can lead to a number of problems like Flooding Soil erosion, Foundation damage (from water seeping underneath), Landscaping problems (like plants dying from too much or too little water)
Retaining Walls Can Be a Visual Eyesore if Not Built Properly
Retaining walls can be a visual eyesore in your yard. They can also be expensive to build and maintain, depending on the type of wall you choose. If not built properly, retaining walls can pose a safety hazard. They can also interfere with the natural drainage of your property, which may cause flooding or water accumulation behind the wall.
In some cases, retaining walls may even contribute to soil erosion. Therefore, it is important to research different types of retaining walls before selecting one to install on your property.
Conclusion
The difficulty of building block retaining walls oneself is one of the main potential disadvantages. Even the hollow concrete blocks are hefty, which makes building your wall fast wearisome. Furthermore, it might be difficult to form your block retaining wall when you encounter curves and corners if you aren’t accustomed to creating retaining walls, which is true for the majority of individuals. At this stage, you might need to cut your blocks, but you might not have the necessary equipment.
You can put this con to rest, though, if you use Dallas retaining wall professionals to build your retaining wall.