3 Reasons To Install A Retaining Wall

Retaining walls are landscaping installations that are designed to perform a variety of different functions and can confer a number of benefits to your yard and garden. Understanding the advantages and benefits that are associated with retaining walls can help you decide if you should install one in your yard.

Erosion Control

The primary reason why homeowners may want to install a retaining wall in their yard is to prevent erosion. Heavy rain, melting snow, and high winds can begin to carry away the topsoil in your yard, and can make it harder for plants to take root and flourish. This is particularly a problem for yards and gardens that have a slop to them. A retaining wall will act as a bulwark that your soil can either begin to collect against, or to hold existing soil in place so that plants can take root.

Flood Prevention

In a similar vein to the above point, installing a retaining wall in your garden can be a good way to help prevent flooding and pooling water in your yard. Retaining walls are installed with drainage channels that ensure that water from heavy rains is able to flow out of your yard, preventing soil saturation and the development of swampy or muddy areas that can wreak havoc on your plants and grass. This also makes it much less likely that water from your yard will have the chance to seep into your basement or foundation, which can be a chronic problem for yards with poor drainage. Another side advantage of a lack of pooling water in your yard is that you will reduce the potential breeding grounds for common pests like mosquitoes, cutting down on their population.

Aesthetic Appeal

Another major reason why you may want to consider installing a retaining wall in your yard is purely for aesthetic reasons. Retaining walls can be made from a wide variety of different materials, like natural stones, bamboo and other types of wood. In fact, you can even create a set of terraces in your garden to create multiple levels of soil that can be turned into individual flowerbeds, or use retaining walls to create a terraced patio with steps and walkways for entertaining guests. It's also important to note that the prevention of flooding and erosion in your yard can increase the overall amount of usable space, allowing you to install other backyard features in the areas around your retaining wall.

For more information on the benefits of retaining walls, contact companies like Rock Solid Services LLC.