Once a property owner decides to install a retaining wall, they must find a masonry contractor to do the job and determine when to have it built. Retaining walls can be found in millions of homes, businesses, industrial buildings, and schools around the country. So, what is the best time to have a retaining wall built?
Planning for Retaining Wall Construction
Property owners interested in retaining walls should contact a trustworthy and highly rated masonry contractor such as MasonWorks Landscapes in Massachusetts for advice on retaining wall construction and to get a free bid. Their experts can advise property owners on what type of wall to build, what materials it should be constructed of, and when it should be built. This company has professionals who can design the perfect retaining wall for each property.
When is the Best Time to Construct a Retaining Wall?
There are good times to install retaining walls and better times to install retaining walls. And, then there are times that are not optimal for retaining wall construction. It is best to pick the good or better times for your project. There are a few things to consider for your area before planning a retaining wall construction project.
- The ground needs to be free of frost and draining properly during the construction.
- There should be time allowed for the disturbed earth to settle before any substantial temperature changes happen.
- Retaining wall construction should happen before the winter really sets in.
- Late April or May is a good time for retaining wall construction because winter freezing and spring thaw and rain are past and the summer heat is not a problem.
- The fall around October is a good time because summer temperatures have cooled, summer rains are past, and winter has not taken over yet.
When planning a construction project, look at your area’s weather patterns and avoid the times with very cold or very hot weather, and avoid times when heavy rainstorms occur. In the end, it will be an advantage to hire a masonry contractor and rely on their knowledge of the area and its weather and temperature patterns. By having experience in an area, the contractor can tell when the optimum retaining wall construction times are.
Some Other Considerations
Whether you are building a retaining wall yourself or hiring a professional to build it there are some considerations to heed.
- Design the wall to be attractive and to meet the drainage needs of the property. This wall will hold back tons of soil, rocks, and water.
- Hire a trustworthy masonry contractor who is licensed, insured, and bonded. Get a signed contract.
- Choose the best time for the construction in your area.
- Start with the best foundation. This means a trench will be dug, tamped down, crushed rock added, and the area will be leveled. Then the first course of masonry is installed perfectly level. No one wants the retaining wall to settle and crack.
- Set up good drainage with the first couple rows of landscape blocks. This includes installing drain pipes, crushed rock, and other considerations.
- Blocks or stones should be stacked with a slight backward slope to limit the outward pressure by soil.
- Backfill behind the retaining wall with sand or pea gravel and gravel. Backfill a few inches after each course of blocks is laid and tamp down.
The contractor should build a sturdy, durable retaining wall that is attractive and practical. When the job is done, the construction mess should be cleaned up and hauled away. The property owner should tour the finished project with the contractor to approve the end result or ask that defects be corrected.
