If your property has a slope, a hillside, or areas where soil tends to shift after heavy rain, a retaining wall might be exactly what you need. Pacific Northwest Construction Inc designs and builds retaining walls for residential and commercial properties, and we get a lot of questions from homeowners about when and why they are actually necessary.
What Is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a structure built to hold back soil and prevent it from sliding or eroding. It creates a stable, level surface on sloped terrain and can add genuinely usable outdoor space to a property that would otherwise be too steep to enjoy or develop.
When Do You Need One?
You likely need a retaining wall if your yard has a slope that causes soil to wash downhill during heavy rain, if you want to create a flat usable area on a hillside, or if you have noticed erosion near your foundation or driveway. These are situations we see regularly in properties throughout the region, particularly in areas with significant seasonal rainfall like along the southern Oregon coast.
What Materials Are Used?
Pacific Northwest Construction Inc builds retaining walls using poured concrete, concrete masonry block, natural stone, railroad ties, and interlocking modular block systems. The right material depends on the height of the wall, the soil conditions, the drainage needs, and the look the homeowner is going for.
Drainage Is Everything
A retaining wall without proper drainage behind it is a wall that will eventually fail. Every wall we build includes drainage aggregate backfill and perforated drain pipe to relieve hydrostatic pressure and give the structure a long, reliable lifespan.
Contact Pacific Northwest Construction Inc today for a free retaining wall assessment.