FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT Retaining Walls
How high can I build a wall without geo-grid (reinforcement) and or a building permit?
As a rule, walls lower than four feet require little to no reinforcement grid, but a professional engineer should determine the exact requirements. Building permit requirements may vary, but usually walls up to four feet won’t need a permit. Remember, local soils can exert tremendous pressure and your retaining wall, if improperly built, could fail, causing property damage and costing you time and money.
Why should I build a retaining wall, and what material should I use?
Hillside retention remains the prime reason for retaining walls, but the beauty they add to a home or business is an even more popular reason. Walls add privacy and cut down on unwanted noise from a neighbor’s A/C unit or the sound of traffic. Block wall systems offer an array of colors, shapes and sizes from one-piece to multi-piece systems that rival the look of natural stone. When choosing a block system for your home, you should complement the colors of your home and its surroundings to help it blend in with its environment.
How does a block wall drain?
Each retaining wall system, when installed properly, will have engineered fill (sand/gravel) used as a backfill, which allows water to pass through to the drain tile at the bottom of the wall and exit at the lowest point. It is best to extend these pipes as far as possible from the foundation of the wall system for proper structural support.
