On the Northern Beaches of Sydney, something like 30% of properties are at risk due to coastal weather patterns and heavy rainfall washing away (eroding) the soil properties are built on... cue retaining walls! These are commonly constructed walls that literally retain the soil behind them. That’s it. But, in addition to saving the planet from more erosion, we (as humans) have attached all manner of additional utility to these walls, which also often need to look great!
At Northern Beaches Fencing, we do a lot of fences (it’s in the name) and have developed a pretty good focus on these retaining walls as well. We know the local area well and know when a retaining wall will help! This post is something of an ode to the greatness of the engineered retaining wall and an attempt to ensure that we can at least alert people to this very real risk to the property, or at least the value of a property, not too far from you...
The Importance of Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are designed to prevent soil erosion. They hold back soil, working to stabilize the angle of a slope and are commonly used as methods for preventing landslides, stabilizing soil, and maintaining a level ground in an area. Where the neighbors are concerned, you definitely don’t want your soil to come sliding into their property by damaging their retaining wall, or not having a retaining wall at all. This will cause significant damage to the soil and stability on your property.
Retaining Walls in the Northern Beaches of Sydney
The Northern Beaches of Sydney is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of Australia, with its high cliffs and sandy beaches that are continuously battered by the sea and elements. The action of the weather in combination with coastal winds in the temperature bandwidth that we see can unfortunately, lead to soil displacement during severe rain conditions in certain hard-hit areas.
Many properties in the Northern Beaches areas have severe falls in the gardens which create the need for a landscaped area with retaining walls. The retaining walls increase the aesthetic look of the property and also prevent ground sheer during the wet weather, therefore adding preventative erosion to the gardens. The need for this has created a large volume of work for Northern Beaches Fencing among different types of retaining walls.
Choosing the Right Retaining Wall for Your Property
There are several important things to consider when selecting a retaining wall:
- Height: The height of the wall will determine how much soil it can retain and the overall structural integrity of the wall.
- Material: Whether you choose to use concrete, timber, or stone as your primary material, each option will offer a different aesthetic and benefits such as increased durability or reduced maintenance.
- Design: The design of the wall should cosmetically look great and coincide with the design of your landscaping, but it also needs to provide a sustainable water drainage solution to ensure you’re not replacing the whole wall in a couple of years.