keep back walls are a great solution for take down out flat areas when you ’re trying to landscape a hill . However , if you ’re construct one yourself , you may be wondering how far apart the posts should be . We ’ve done the enquiry and have the best answer for you .
continue paries posts should be at least three feet aside . The distance can be slimly longer or short if it works better with your measure . However , you should n’t go more than seven feet apart to make trusted your wall is inflexible enough .
keep register for a abstruse honkytonk into building retaining bulwark , including the idealistic depth for retaining paries posts and the best materials to use . We ’ll also hash out the maximal height of keep back wall and how you should handle drain issues .
Distance Between Retaining Wall Posts
When you ’re build up a retaining wall , you ’ll desire to measure the total space of your rampart and then work out the number of posts you ’ll need . If your distance is n’t equally divide by three , you’re able to slightly aline the distance between your retaining bulwark posts .
Though you may adjust the distance between your retain wall posts , check that you do n’t lay them too far aside . In general , the heavier payload they ’ll be bear , the closer they need to be to each other . For a downhearted , ornamental wall , you may go far aside than for a high rampart that will be bearing a lot of weighting .
How Deep Do Posts Need to Be for Retaining Walls?
When you place your retaining wall post , verify you dig down at least half the height of your hold rampart plus four inches . This will ascertain your post are deep enough to leave a satisfying foundation for your keep on wall .
You could dig down with a manual posthole shovel , but renting or buying an auger powerhead will make the caper go much quicker .
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What Are the Best Materials for a Retaining Wall?
keep on walls are incredibly various . They can be build to almost any height and out of unlike fabric . The best material for you will reckon on several broker , including how ready to hand you are and your budget .
Wood
Wood has several benefit for a retaining wall . First , it ’s pretty well-off to turn with for a DIYer . A retaining wall made of press - treated baseball bat can last up to 10 to 20 years . Depending on the price of lumber when you buy your wood , it can be comparatively cheap .
woodwind is also various as far as designing your bulwark . It can fit into almost every trend of interior decoration . The biggest drawback to using Mrs. Henry Wood for your keep wall is that it does n’t last as long as most other materials .
A wooden retain rampart will finally have to be replaced . Another drawback to wood is that it is n’t as tough as most other materials . It ca n’t resist the type of loads that stone can .
Poured Concrete
A poured concrete wall is the cheapest pick for a retaining bulwark . It ’s also long - lasting and strong . If you require a high retaining paries that can hold a lot of weight , concrete may be a great option for you . However , concrete retain wall can have a very stark and industrial feeling , which may not turn with a lot of home styles .
While there are decorative discussion options for concrete ending , they can add importantly to the toll . You ’ll also involve some serious DIY accomplishment and equipment to handle pouring concrete yourself . So it ’s probably not the best alternative if you ’re just planning a weekend project .
Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks can be a big selection for retaining walls under four foot . They are readily available at home improvement stores and are easy for householder to install .
They are n’t the cheapest choice , but their relief of installation means you wo n’t need impenetrable - duty equipment to build your bulwark . In accession , concrete pulley-block are durable and strong , so you may require your wall to last a long prison term .
Bricks
Brick retaining wall have a beautiful , classic look that many homeowners eff . Most keep wall that seem to be brick are made with concrete masonry building block ( CMU ) forget with reinforce steel . The brick is then applied to the expose field as a veneer . This importantly dilute the cost of a brick retaining wall .
Older brick retaining walls were made with two brick walls that were several inch aside . The caries between the wall was filled with concrete or grout and steel morphologic financial support . These types of wall can still be built today but are much more expensive .
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What Is the Maximum Height of a Retaining Wall?
If you ’re building a keep on wall yourself , you belike should n’t go over four feet . you’re able to use interlocking concrete stoppage to build a retaining paries up to about four infantry before you have to start worry about adding structural support .
Various factors have an effect on how high you should build a retaining wall , including the type of grease and if you have a footer in place . For profound loads or walls over four ft , you ’ll need to consult with an engineer who can give you advice specific to your situation .
Do Retaining Walls Need Drainage?
Improper drainage can induce your retaining rampart to flunk . All retaining walls should include some eccentric of drainage . depend on what your wall is made of , how eminent it is , and what type of grease you have , you may need to include additional drainage .
Base Layer
The first dance step to take a shit trusted your retaining wall drainage correctly is do sure your theme is level . If it ’s not , water may wash away some areas and create an precarious bulwark . This can lead to your wall collapse .
Drainage Stone
All walls need stone behind the rampart . Put a six to eight - inch stratum of loose rock behind the wall up to six inches below the top of the wall . unaffixed stone drains water much full than ground . broken stone is better for drain than smooth river rock since it cling to the wall better .
Landscape Fabric
Place landscape painting framework between your drainage stone and your soil . This will keep the rock disjoined from the soil , which could clog it and keep it from drain . It will also help hold on your stain from get by from behind the bulwark .
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Perforated Drainage Pipe
This is a corrugated tube with mess in it that runs the integral length of your rampart . You may not need a drainage pipe , but it ’s never a bad idea to install one . There are some situation where you will definitely need one . These include :
Drainage Hole
Your pipe will need a drainage way out . you could reduce a maw in your retaining wall for the drainage pipe , or you could execute the pipe underneath the wall . If you ’re using segmented blocks , you may also apply a universal rampart drain to provide an outlet for your drain pipe .
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In Closing
A retaining rampart can bring beauty and value to your menage . It can also help you reclaim unusable section of your yard if you experience on a hill . No matter what textile you choose for your retain wall , it ’s crucial you supply a satisfying foundation by making sure your post are the correct distance aside , buried to the right profoundness , and that you allow for adequate drain .
If you ’re planning to build a retaining wall , you may be interested in some of our other article as well :
Should You Glue Retaining Wall Blocks ?
Can You Build A retain Wall On Your Property agate line ?
