About Brick Retaining Walls

Brick retaining walls can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be used to help prevent soil erosion or just to add a decorative touch to a garden. When built correctly they can last for generations. Most retaining walls can be built without professional assistance.

Brick retaining walls can be a great way to separate garden paths from the rest of the landscape. They can also be used on hills to prevent soil from slipping. It's time consuming but not difficult to place these on your landscape.

Purpose

Retaining walls are designed to help soil drainage and prevent slides and erosion. Walls built on hills will need drainage pipes built in. This will allow the soil to drain around the wall and prevent damage. In many landscape designs brick retaining walls are used to seperate out patio or garden areas. This can be a beautiful way to create walkways too.

Materials and Types

There are many types of brick retaining walls. Bricks can be purchased that are made of clay, concrete and even natural stone. If you want a traditional look you'll be better off using concrete bricks with mortar. For a more natural look clay bricks or stone bricks can be used. The way the walls are built will vary greatly depending on the materials used.

Foundations

The foundation is vital to keep a brick retaining wall standing strong for any length of time. The size, length and height of the wall all need to be considered. It's best to excavate to create the strong foundation first. This can be done with a shovel, or for larger walls tools and equipment can be rented for this.