Tips for Avoiding Failures When Building Retaining Walls in Wisconsin

The purpose of a retaining wall is to hold back soil that would otherwise cave, slump or slide naturally. That means that any retaining wall design and construction has to be built with materials that are durable enough to perform these duties reliably, or else you will end up with a big mess on your hands. In order to make sure that your retaining walls in Wisconsin are reliable enough to avoid failure, here are some tips to keep in mind before, during and after construction.

Understanding the priority

The key to designing a long-lasting retaining wall that won’t fail is to remember that the goal is to build a load bearing wall that is able to retain soil first, and worry about the aesthetic appearance of the wall second. A contractor must be well-versed in the anatomy of the wall, and all of the ways that poor design and construction could potentially cause it to fail before starting the project. This will enable them to build something that is fully prepared to handle any of the environmental, structural or construction demands that the wall might face.

Assessing all of the factors

There are several important factors that contractors use to guide retaining wall design. The lateral earth pressure that determines the ground water conditions and the characteristics of the soil lays the groundwork for any retaining wall design, because it is this calculation that helps to define how much of a load the wall will have to bear. If this type of comprehensive assessment is not completed to ensure the retaining wall’s stability, it will be susceptible to failure and could tilt, crack or bow and ultimately be ineffective. From there, the other factors that weigh heavily in the design process will be taken into account, such as how much money has been allotted for the project, and the availability of the materials and skilled laborers.

Building codes

It is also important that contractors have an in-depth knowledge of building codes and local building practices before beginning construction. In most states, retaining walls that are to be built higher than four feet will require additional approval by a licensed professional engineer. Even if your projected wall will be shorter than four feet, though, you will still need to check and make sure that your construction is in compliance with the state and city building codes, as well as any HOA guidelines that might apply to your neighborhood.

If you are looking for a group of contractors that has the knowledge necessary to properly construct your retaining walls in Wisconsin, contact us at Kwiatkowski Construction Co., Inc. We have more than 40 years of experience in the concrete contracting industry, and we know how to avoid the many pitfalls that can sink a successful retaining wall construction. Give us a call today to learn more about our wide range of services, or to schedule your appointment. We look forward to working with you soon and showing you what we can do!

Categorised in: Retaining Walls

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