Mother Nature can be a thing of beauty, but excessive rainfall, wind, steep slopes and man-made factors like construction or farming can all aggravate the land. Homeowners find the fertile soil on their properties being stripped away as erosion occurs. There are several options to try, and some homeowners plant turf, ground cover plants, shrubs and trees to keep their property’s precious topsoil in place. Others choose to implement a more permanent solution, such as retaining walls, to help prevent erosion.

A Permanent Surface Cover

Hardscaping features are popular today for many homes and businesses. Patios, pavers, walkways, fire pits and outdoor kitchens are a few of them. Retaining walls are also an attractive hardscape element that can stop erosion and flooding and offer proper drainage without compromising your landscape. They serve as walls against water and keep the soil in place.

Function and Aesthetic Interest

Retaining walls don’t have to look like ugly panels performing a function. These soil stabilizers come in several materials and can add depth and vertical appeal to a landscape.

There are retaining walls made of concrete blocks, bricks, railroad ties and timber. Rocks and boulders are another favorite rustic retaining wall option that blends into the natural environment. These are extremely good at keeping erosion away and providing natural drainage.

Three-Pronged Attack Against Erosion

Retaining walls are designed with a three-pronged attack against erosion. The first goal is holding the soil in place against the anchored wall. Next, a retaining wall is excellent at draining water and channeling it correctly. This helps avoid the rivers of water that can erode the soil. Lastly, these hardscape features work as raised terraces. This accommodates the planting of shrubbery, trees or gardens. These plants also naturally hold the soil in place with their roots.

Is Hardscape the Best Material?

This depends on where you live because the climate, topography and soil type are key factors in choosing the most effective erosion control techniques for a particular area. A professional landscape company can recommend the most suitable retaining wall for your unique property, slope and size. They have the skills and knowledge to advise on building a single wall or a series of levels for creating a tiered effect.

You can build a wall yourself, but if the structure isn’t properly designed and constructed, it can collapse and cause even more erosion and further damage to your landscape.

Retaining walls can be a great solution for stabilizing the soil on your property and keeping the land usable for various purposes. If you live in Warner Robins, GA, contact our team at Safe Site Services for a top-quality, sturdy retaining wall.