Retaining walls are walls built to hold back earth. In other words, the wall resists the soil’s lateral pressure whenever the ground elevation exceeds the repose angle of the soil. This means your basement wall can be taken to be a retaining wall. There are several reasons why you should consider building such a wall, especially if you live in a sloppy area.
These walls are mostly built to resist the lateral pressure that loose soil generates. The lateral pressure could lead to massive soil erosion. Excessive lateral pressure can even lead to the damage of property, especially during the rainy season. Retaining walls Tulsa OK reduce the risk of collapsing walls and this means you will protect your property and prevent injuries or fatality.
The walls also resist lateral water pressures. This prevents water from reaching parts of the property that you do not want it to reach. You can then direct the water to other parts of the property or the sewerage system.
There are several types of retaining walls Tulsa OK, meaning there is something for everyone. Gravity walls use the mass of the wall to resist the pressure. The walls are usually made from cemented concrete or mortar-less stone units. Cantilevered walls are very strong, made from internal stems of steel-reinforced concrete that is cast-in-place. Sheet piling is used in tight spaces and in areas that have soft soils. The walls are made of vinyl, wood planks or steel. Anchored walls can come in any style, but they include additional strengthening.
It is the recommendation of the International Building Code that retaining walls are erected to ensure there is stability against sliding, overturning, water uplift and excessive foundation pressure. According to the International Building Code, the safety factor against lateral overturning and sliding should be 1.5.
You could build retaining walls yourself, but enlisting the services of a team run by an ISA-certified arborist has several advantages. The team will do all the planning work, it will research local digging and construction laws, it will get the necessary permits, it will do grading and the actual excavation and it will build the wall. Hiring professionals is important because they have the necessary equipment, supplies and experience. They will do debris removal and clean-up after the construction.
Your retaining walls Tulsa OK could have both functional and aesthetic value, especially natural stone walls. These walls look elegant in the garden and they can increase the value of your property. Retaining walls, by allowing you to add soil on top, increase the usable area in your yard or garden. This increases playing space and also the value of the home. The walls are low maintenance and long lasting since they do not rust, rot or wrap and they do not need cleaning or repainting.
Consider erecting retaining walls Tulsa OK in sloppy areas. These walls, among other benefits, protect your property, reduce accidents and add to the aesthetic value of your home.
