Building Retaining Wall in Charlotte: Tips, Materials, and Maintenance

Retaining Walls Guide

Retaining walls provide Charlotte homeowners with important protection and stability for their landscaping. These structures help prevent the pull of gravity and the impact of erosion to keep your lawn where it belongs, even if you have a grade. They are also an architectural benefit to the home, providing a beautiful aesthetic to your yard. Sometimes, they can even provide more usable land for gardening or lawn.

If you’re considering adding a retaining wall, the team at Vision Green can help. We have the architectural knowledge and landscaping skills to perfectly design and build your retaining wall to meet your needs.

Our Process

When you choose Vision Green to build your retaining wall in Charlotte, our team will consider all aspects that go into the building. This means we will study:

• Soil – The soil type and bearing capacity impacts the details of your wall.
• Location – To find the right location, we look at all the features, like draining patterns, property lines, utilities, slope, and more.
• Drainage – We use gravel and aggregate to drain the area behind the retaining wall properly.
• Designs – The design will consider your retaining wall’s look and function.

We handle all of the details for you, from building permits to ordering materials, so all you have to do is sit back and watch your wall being built.

What Materials Are Best for a Retaining Wall?

When building a retaining wall, your architectural team can use various materials. For example, concrete block walls with full-size blocks work great for large walls that need to hold back much dirt. They can be built up to 30 feet tall with the right architectural team.

Stacking system blocks are specially cut to spread evenly and connect well. They can also be cut to create angles and corners, making them versatile. Since these come in a wide range of weights, you can customize your wall to your specific needs with this choice.

Another option is a wall made of natural stone. This type of wall’s multi-colored, natural look makes it appealing but can be challenging to build.

Treated wood plants are another option for building retaining walls. These are not as popular with today’s homeowners as they were a generation or two ago, but they can complement some yards well.

If you’re unsure which retaining wall material is right for you, reach out to the Vision Green team. We will help you consider all your options to find the right one.

What Are the Potential Issues that Could Arise with a Retaining Wall?

Retaining wall failure is a costly and sometimes dangerous problem. It can cause significant damage to your landscaping, and if you have any structures in the path of the damage. However, there are some common reasons why retaining walls may fail, including these:

• Vertical joints – Vertical joints weaken your retaining wall so that it may shift or lean. This, in turn, could cause it to fall.
• Not adding gravel or aggregate – Gravel or aggregate allows the retaining wall to drain correctly; failing to use it could create puddles that damage the wall.
• Not applying soil correction – Sometimes, the soil behind a retaining wall needs to have its balance adjusted to keep the wall stable, but sometimes the correction is not applied, which can leave the retaining wall at risk.

The best way to avoid these problems is to work with a professional for your retaining wall installation. Our landscape team includes designers that know how to accommodate all of these concerns to leave you with a beautiful and stable wall.

How Do I Maintain a Retaining Wall Over Time?

After building your retaining wall, the correct maintenance will also reduce the risk of failure. Inspect your wall regularly, and contact us if you notice signs of wear and tear. If you suspect winter weather, don’t use any treatment to prevent ice or snow from sticking, as this may record the

Do I Need a Permit to Build a Retaining Wall in North Carolina?

Some retaining walls require a building permit. In Mecklenburg County, you must get a permit if the horizontal distance is 50 feet or less and the vertical space is five feet or more. If your wall is tall, you need a permit to build it. Again, this is where the Vision Green team helps. We know the rules and will apply for the permits you need to make your retaining wall safely.

Are you ready to get started? Reach out to schedule a consolation to discuss Charlotte retaining walls today. 704.910.1941