If you are not sure whether you need a retaining wall, you will likely discover the answer the hard way once winter hits. While you can install one for decorative purposes, retaining walls also have a functional purpose that is more essential for some yards than for others. Rather than discover you need one too late, look for these common conditions that make a retaining wall in Kansas City, MO a requirement:
- You have unusable land space: If there are sections of your yard that you cannot use, retaining walls create terracing that can allow you to grow plants or even build an outdoor environment. Some homeowners even install seating in these areas after building a retaining wall. It will create a level area that makes it easier for you to landscape, which increases the productivity of your space.
- Rainwater pools or becomes unmanageable: Water management is also a job done well by retaining walls. If you find your runoff causing flooding in spots around your yard, installing a retaining wall can manipulate the flow so it goes to an area with better drainage. Retaining walls make it easier to design proper water flow systems, too, so you do not have to worry about damage from excess accumulation.
- There are erosion issues: If dirt is accumulating and disrupting plant growth or blocking water flow on your property, you likely have a problem with erosion. Hiring a landscaper to find where these issues start will help determine where you need a retaining wall. Once you have one installed, it will control the erosion so you will no longer have errant dirt causing issues.
- You are on soil fault lines: One common cause of erosion is soil fault lines. This is where soil is packed in the least, normally because there are no established tree root systems holding it in place. If you notice areas that constantly slide away during storms, it is likely due to a fault line. Installing a retaining wall in that area will contain this, but you will need to act on the project before conditions become worse.
- There is a sliding hill near your foundation: Erosion can prove annoying to outdoor living spaces and your gardens, but for your foundation, it is a definite safety hazard. Watch for sliding soil near your foundation, because that can lead to a homeowner’s insurance claim in the future. If you purchase a home with a downward slope towards the foundation, consider installing a retaining wall as a preventative measure.
- You keep imagining one in a certain spot: Retaining walls can also be decorative. If you have just the perfect place for a wall or terracing, you can have one installed even if there are no other needs. Since land can become vulnerable to erosion or water in time, consider this a preventative measure as well as new landscape décor.
For assistance in building a retaining wall in Kansas City, MO and preserving the condition of your yard, contact MSE Hardscapes LLC today.