The Requirements for a Terraced Retaining Wall

Erosion

• Retaining walls stabilize soil from moving down a sloped landscape, which causes soil erosion. Soil erosion leads to a decline in the quality of the soil, removing nutrients and preventing plants from growing abundantly. Terraces should effectively block wind and water to prevent erosion. Terraces help slow down the rate of water flow, allowing much water to soak into the soil and enter plant roots. Each terrace creates a flat surface that halts the gravity-induced descent. For particularly rainy areas, homeowners can install a perforated drainage pipe that can drain the water not absorbed into the soil.

Materials

• The retaining wall should be made of materials that are attractive, match the home and are sturdy enough to resist adverse weather. Options include concrete blocks, timber, brick and natural stone blocks. Concrete blocks are durable and versatile, resisting adverse weather and pests. Natural stone blocks look more old-fashioned and also have a high degree of durability, when constructed carefully. Timber can create a wall that is appealing to the eye, but should be treated well to protect it against moisture.

Anchoring

• The material used to build the retaining wall should be anchored into the soil so water does not seep out under the retaining wall and so the water and soil do not build up pressure and push over the wall, especially during periods when ice is thawing. The materials should be stacked in some way that prevents the wall from toppling over because of the pressure. The building materials can have some cracks where water seeps out, since much of it is absorbed by the soil in the terraces, reducing erosion. However, bonding agents, such as concrete, cement or mortar, can hold the wall together.

Gardens

• Add gardens to the terraces. The plants can take up much water absorbed into the soil. The plants make the terrace look more attractive. Also, you can use terraces to establish separate gardens, keeping plants somewhat separated. However, seeds from some plants are sometimes carried into other terraces.