Retaining walls are made to prevent erosion or correct the gradient and slope of the ground. They add aesthetic appeal and increases the value of your property. You can use different materials such as wood or stone for your retaining walls. But, the ideal and most popular is concrete.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of concrete retaining walls.
The Pros
Strength and Durability
When it comes to strength and durability, nothing can beat concrete! In any structure, material strength is vital. Since retaining walls will hold tons of weight and will be exposed to harsh weather conditions, they should be durable and strong. Concrete retaining walls can last for a couple of years with little maintenance.
Resistance to Natural Elements
With strong winds, floods, rain, extreme temperatures, and so much more, your concrete retaining wall will still stand strong! Not to mention, they can resist fire and will not rust or rot easily compared to wood.
Easy to Install
Our experts at Ballarat Landscaping can easily and quickly install your concrete retaining wall. Compared to other types of retaining walls, concrete retaining walls take less time to install. This means you save time and cost on labour, plus you get to enjoy your retaining wall faster!
Requires Little Maintenance
Maintenance can be time-consuming and stressful. The good news is concrete retaining walls are easy to maintain. It should only be cleaned or power washed at least once a year. Occasional inspections will do to make sure that there are no cracks or damages. In case you notice small cracks or damages, it’s best to consult Ballarat Landscaping to make repairs or path the damaged area to keep your retaining wall fresh.
Environmentally Friendly
The concrete used for retaining walls are non-toxic and does not emit harmful chemicals or allergens.
Design Flexibility
Concrete is a versatile material, which means you can request angles, colours, patterns, ramps, curves, and many more!
The Cons
There are some drawbacks to using concrete for retaining walls. However, these can be solved easily when working with experienced and licensed contractors like Ballarat Landscaping.
Not DIY Friendly
Sadly, concrete retaining walls should not be a DIY project! You need to hire experienced and qualified contractors to ensure that there won’t be any major structural damage in the future. Special equipment will also be needed to build your concrete retaining wall.
Structural Limitations
Building retaining walls with concrete comes with some limits such as the maximum height allowance is only four feet high for concrete blocks.
Conclusion
Before you start your retaining wall project, make sure to consult experienced and highly skilled contractors to ensure that your retaining wall will be built on a good foundation. Retaining walls are more than just a functional structure, it’s an investment and should be carefully designed and built.
At Ballarat Landscaping, we guarantee that our contractors are well-trained and experienced. We offer different types of retaining walls that will match your preferences and budget. Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey? Give us a call!
