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What Should I Look For When Hiring a Retaining Wall Builder?

retaining wall builder

Retaining walls are not just aesthetic elements in landscape design. They serve the critical function of preventing soil erosion and managing water runoff. Given the technical complexity and the significant role retaining walls play in ensuring structural safety and enhancing property value, the decision to hire a retaining wall builder should not be taken lightly. 

This guide aims to provide professional contractors with insights into the importance of choosing the right retaining wall builder, highlighting what to look for and why attempting DIY solutions might not be the best approach.

Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Do the Work Yourself

Building a retaining wall is not as simple as stacking materials to hold back soil. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the principles of geotechnical engineering, adherence to local building codes, and the use of specific materials suitable for the environmental conditions at the site. 

Poor construction can lead to a host of issues, from wall failure to damage to your property. It can also expose you to various legal liabilities, further compounding the problems. 

To avoid these problems, it is best to hire a retaining wall contractor when undertaking a retaining wall project. Professional contractors know the intricacies of designing and building a retaining wall, which requires specialized skills and equipment not typically available to most people. 

Aside from their expertise in building a safe, structurally sound wall, they can also provide helpful answers to any questions you may have, whether it’s about materials and costs or the length and duration of the project.

What Qualities to Look For When Hiring a Retaining Wall Builder

When hiring a retaining wall builder, selecting the right professional can mean distinguishing between a successful project and a potential failure. Understanding the critical qualities to look for in a builder will guide you in making an informed decision. 

Consider the following qualities to ensure you’re making the best choice for your project:

Licensing and Insurance

A license is not just a piece of paper. It signifies that the builder has met the minimum standards set by the industry and local regulations, indicating a level of professionalism and commitment to legal compliance. 

Meanwhile, adequate insurance coverage, including liability and worker’s compensation, protects you as the client from unforeseen accidents or damages during the construction process.

Hiring a licensed and insured builder safeguards your project from legal and financial risks. It assures you that the builder is accountable and operates under the regulatory framework, offering peace of mind that your project is in capable hands.

Experience

Experience is a testament to a builder’s capability to handle the complexities of retaining wall construction. An experienced builder is one who has encountered various challenges and learned how to navigate them effectively to ensure your peace of mind. 

Opting for a builder with a proven track record and experience relevant to your project ensures that they can deliver quality workmanship. They bring a wealth of knowledge about the best practices, materials, and innovative solutions tailored to different project needs. 

This depth of knowledge and expertise, acquired through years of service, minimizes the risk of structural failures and ensures that your retaining wall will stand the test of time.

Reputation

A builder’s reputation speaks volumes about their reliability, quality of work, and customer service. A reputable builder is more likely to be committed to maintaining high standards and ensuring customer satisfaction. Their transparency and willingness to showcase their work demonstrate confidence in their abilities and a focus on building lasting relationships with clients.

When reviewing potential contractors, check their online reviews, ask for references, and view their past projects to get a peek at their reputation. These can provide insights into their work ethic and previous clients’ satisfaction levels.

Technical Knowledge

Retaining walls are complex structures that require a solid understanding of geotechnical engineering principles. Aside from the basic principles of construction, the builder should also be knowledgeable about soil analysis, drainage solutions, and the best materials for the specific conditions of your site.

Hiring a builder with deep technical knowledge ensures that your retaining wall is aesthetically pleasing, structurally sound, and, above all, functional. It reduces the risk of future problems, such as water pooling or soil erosion, safeguarding your investment.

Communication Skills

Clear communication fosters a positive working relationship. It ensures that your vision is accurately brought to life and allows for timely adjustments as needed. It also minimizes misunderstandings, ensuring a smoother project flow from start to finish.

Ensuring that your retaining wall builder is an effective communicator is essential for the success of any construction project. They should listen to your needs, be able to clearly explain the construction process, and keep you informed of the progress and any issues that arise.

Choosing the Right Partner

When it comes to hiring a retaining wall builder, it’s crucial to consider various factors beyond the price. By focusing on the above qualities, you can be confident in selecting a builder who embodies these qualities and can deliver a high-quality retaining wall that meets your specific needs and stands the test of time. 

Remember, a well-built retaining wall can add value to your property and provide long-lasting benefits. Therefore, it is essential to take the time to carefully select a professional builder who can give you the best possible service and results.

How to Replace a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls are manufactured structures engineered to hold back soil in a vertical or near-vertical position. They play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion and maintaining different levels of ground elevation. 

However, these walls are prone to wear and tear, compromising their structural integrity. Factors such as ground movement, hydrostatic pressure, weathering, or degradation of materials can contribute to the need for retaining wall replacement. 

To ensure the continued stability of your retaining wall, replacing it once it shows signs of deterioration or damage is crucial. This can help eliminate potential safety risks and prevent property damage.

Below, we delve into how to replace a retaining wall when it shows visible signs of damage to help keep your family and property safe.

Signs of Retaining Wall Damage

Property owners should always look for signs of retaining wall damage to safeguard their property. A damaged retaining wall can lead to a range of problems, including soil erosion, safety hazards, and property damage. However, replacing the wall can prevent potential collapses and maintain the structural integrity of your landscape.

Here are some signs of retaining wall damage to be aware of:

  • Tilting or Leaning: A clear sign of a compromised wall structure is when it starts to lean or tilt away from its original position. This deviation suggests a failure within the wall’s foundational support or material degradation, which leads to potential instability and collapse if left unaddressed.
  • Bulging: An outward deformation is frequently the result of excessive soil pressure against the foundation. This phenomenon occurs when the earth swells from moisture accumulation or improper drainage, exerting force that compromises the integrity of the walls. 
  • Significant Cracking: Small cracks can occur naturally due to ground movement and other factors. However, large or expanding cracks may indicate severe damage, particularly if they appear in a stair-step, horizontal, or vertical pattern.
  • Water Seepage: Excessive moisture in your retaining wall doesn’t necessarily mean the wall needs replacement. However, it can lead to weakening of the structure, erosion, and drainage problems, so it must be inspected by a professional. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to replace the wall entirely with a properly designed structure.
  • Signs of Rot: Timber retaining walls are popular in rural areas. These structures are prone to decay and insect damage, especially when improperly treated. Any visible sign of decay or rot clearly indicates deterioration, which suggests that the wood’s strength has been compromised.
  • Separation: The area around retaining walls is supposed to be compact, ensuring the structure’s stability. The separation should not be ignored as it suggests that foundational shifts or soil erosion have occurred, compromising its stability and safety. 

How to Replace a Retaining Wall

Suppose you notice any signs of degradation to your retaining wall. In that case, consider replacing it for your continued protection. However, this can be a complex process that requires careful planning and execution.

Here are some steps to follow when approaching the replacement of your retaining wall:

Assessment and Planning

Begin by thoroughly assessing the condition of the existing wall to identify any structural issues such as cracks, bulges, or leaning. Take the time to identify the source of the problem to prevent similar issues from occurring with the new wall. After the assessment, develop an appropriate plan for constructing your new wall, accounting for its size, type, and materials. 

Site Preparation

Before dismantling the old wall, ensure the surrounding area is safe. Depending on the size and location of the wall, you may need to support the soil behind it temporarily to prevent collapse. 

Creating a Solid Foundation

Prepare the work site to ensure a solid foundation for your new wall. The foundation should reach below the frost line to prevent heaving and be leveled and compacted properly. 

Material Selection

When selecting materials for your project, consider its visual appeal and practicality. You have a variety of choices ranging from natural stone and wood to precast concrete blocks. 

Each material has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to durability, aesthetics, and cost. Take your time to weigh these options and make an informed decision that will best suit your needs.

Construction Best Practices

Ensure that you follow construction best practices when building your retaining wall, which includes incorporating the appropriate drainage and backfill systems. A good drainage system will help prevent water from accumulating behind the wall, which is one of the main reasons for failure. 

For backfill, use materials like gravel that promote good drainage and ensure that the soil and backfill are separated by geotextile fabric to increase stability. These measures will help ensure that your wall stands the test of time.

Finish With a Thorough Inspection

After building the new wall, conduct a thorough inspection to ensure everything is level and stable and that the wall slopes slightly backward into the hill to increase stability.

Consider Enlisting Professional Contractors

Replacing a retaining wall is a complex and challenging process that requires careful consideration. To ensure the strength and stability of your new retaining wall, you must always consider using the proper materials, following construction best practices, and complying with local building codes. 

If these aspects of construction are too complex, consider seeking professional assistance from a skilled contractor or structural engineer. Enjoy peace of mind and save time and money in the long run.

Entry Monuments and Hardscape Features

Entry monuments and hardscape features are a great way to promote a development. Hardscape features give the developer a chance to make their project stand out from the surrounding landscape. They add a unique look that remains in the minds of consumers long after they have left the area. These features break up the mundane look of the surrounding area to provide beauty and attract consumers.

Our firm is experienced in coordinating with the landscape architects and development owners, who determine the appearance of the hardscape features. We determine the structural requirements to ensure that these hardscape features perform as anticipated. We are also experienced at integrating wood or steel framing in large entrance monuments, which are very common for subdivisions.

We look forward to partnering with developers and architects to create those unique features that set your development apart!

Check out our MASONRY SCREEN WALLS AND ENTRANCE MONUMENTS page to see more pictures and information!

Ladera Heights Is Almost Complete

The Ladera Heights development is almost ready for businesses to move in! These buildings will be home to grocery stores, restaurants and even medical offices. Ladera Heights is located on the rapidly growing, East Plano community.

The Ladera Heights project consisted of two building constructed from tilt-up wall panels and steel framing. These two buildings each have a height of 35 feet and consist of a combined 22,992 square feet. The Larger of the two building has 3 split levels.

We also designed 13 different retaining walls throughout the site in order to provide a simple aesthetic while making the property more functional.

We are proud to be apart of projects that develop the metroplex and its surrounding areas!

Check out our projects page to see more pictures!

Structural Engineering Services Dallas TX

Have you ever asked yourself who the person is that calculates the maximum safe-weight of a Structure? Estimates to ascertain the maximum force of wind that a structure is able to withstand? Evaluating the endurance of a building in the event of a fire, flood and wind. Structural engineering is the answer. From hurricane force winds to the magnitude of flash floods, engineering ensures durability and safety of all structures.

 

Over and above functional security,  the efficient usage of all building resources is also hallmarked by this level of engineering. It is an engineer who calculates the optimal grade of a material that is safe, functional and not economically prohibitive. This task is performed whilst collaborating with architects to make sure that the aesthetics of each project is met. In a structural-nutshell, engineering combines:

 

  • Practical function
  • Visual appeal
  • Budgetary resources

 

A More In-depth Understanding Of Structural Engineering

 

The two guiding principles of engineering are physics and mathematics. The strength and capacity of any material can be estimated when physical laws are examined hand-in-hand with thorough and empirical research . In addition to this, geometry has to be considered and factored in to fully determine the soundness of a building. Ultimately, design and analysis are the core fundamental components of engineering.

 

 The Heavy Responsibility of Structural Engineers

 

Being a subdivision of civil engineering and project management, it can be said that structural engineers have the responsibility of:

 

  • The design of large buildings
  • Estimating the physical integrity of structures like bridges

 

Essentially, their duties are far removed from those of an architect. While architecture is all about shape, size, appearance, and functionality, structural engineers work singularly on technicalities. The obligation of a structural engineer to bring the architect’s vision to reality.

 

The Various Roles of Structural Engineers   

 

  • Mechanics
  • Physics 
  • Mathematics 
  • Creative problem-solving 
  • 3D conceptual skill
  • Logic

 

These are all abilities that a structural engineer should imperatively have. However, the diversified ‘role-hats’ that they wear aren’t limited to these capabilities either. Structural engineers have a surplus of qualities that include:

 

Support by Design

 

They play a crucial role in planning individual elements of a structure and the whole. Their primary function is the design and detailed data about:

 

  • Floors
  • Beams
  • Foundations
  • Type of roofs
  • Wall retention
  • Quantity of steel
  • Calculating the stress
  • Suspension of bridges

 

It is their designing role that ensures the beam, columns, and foundation can support the load of the whole structure.

 

 Analysis Of Material  

 

Technology has given rise to intricate designs that employ an amalgamation of construction material to create modern buildings. Properly utilizing them and guaranteeing the strength, safety and reliability of the structure is also another task of structural engineers. They analyse the various materials that are available and decide on the specification of each. Furthermore, they estimate the detailed and precise requirements of the substances whilst keeping in mind regulations and code as well as any features the client demands.

 

 Investigation Of Site

 

The very first step and starting point to a construction project is an in-depth and comprehensive investigation of the site where the building will occur. It is the job of the structural engineer to survey the location accordingly. They investigate if the site is indeed suitable for construction and whether the earth is apt and also suitable for the upcoming building.

 

 Security of Workers

 

How stable a building is when faced with static or dynamic loading is one of the most apparent roles of a structural engineer. However the element of safety is not just after the project has been built, it is incorporated during construction too. When engineers plan the design, they ensure that the workers, laborers, and visitors to the site are always secure. They make the building less hazardous and hassle-free.

 

 Coordination With Others  

 

A project management consultants demands the collaboration of many different professions. It is the onus of the structural engineer to communicate needs and coordinate operations. They have to be in constant touch of:

 

  • Engineers
  • architects
  • landscapers
  • environmental scientists
  • Government bodies and authorities that inspect the building

 

 A Managerial Lead

 

The one final ‘role-cap’ that structural engineers need put on is that of a manager. It is their chore and responsibility to properly check the delivery of all construction materials and ensure that it matches the set specifications. They also keep a close and vigilant eye on the equipment required during all the stages of building. Furthermore, they manage and supervise  all the labor involved on site.

 

 What Training Do Structural Engineers Need?

 

An undergraduate course in a discipline of engineering followed by professional qualification under the Institution of Structural Engineers. The career demands meeting stringent standards and highly immense practical experience. Once an engineer manages to get a foot in the field, they need to train and learn for the rest and remaining duration of their profession. It is pivotal as the industry is continuously upgrading materials and methods of construction. Any individual who is happy and keen to invest dedication and time to the field will ultimately rise high in the sector with exciting projects thrown in their direction.

 

 It’s An Engineer’s World

 

Succinctly said, the world of construction and the one we live in is by all means an engineer’s metaphorical oyster. Without them, we wouldn’t have tunnels that break the monotony of traffic or bridges that span miles of rivers and oceans. Essentially, it is structural engineering that dynamically marries mathematics with physics  to subsequently produce paramount buildings with the most cutting-edge design possible.

 

Accurate and effective structural assessment guides constructors, and at Falkofske we are the forerunners in structural engineering design. Our team is equipped to test design efficiency and measure costs. We are the well-known architects and engineers in Arlington Texas who can chalk out the material required for all types of projects, of any scale while overseeing effective utilization of all resources.

 

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Falkofske Engineering

722 North Fielder Road, Arlington, Texas 76012, Ph: 817-261-8300