Do you have a sloped yard in Kearns that washes out every spring with the runoff? You might also be dreaming of a flat patio space where that hill used to be. A Concrete Retaining Wall might be exactly what you need for your Kearns property. Before you grab a shovel, we should talk about what goes into these Concrete Retaining Wall projects. We will also discuss what you can tackle yourself. It is also smart to know when to pick up the phone and call someone like us at Kearns Concrete.
Before You Start: Planning & Permits
First things first, do not just start digging for your Concrete Retaining Wall. Retaining Walls are not just decorative for your Kearns home. They are structural installations. These walls hold back a lot of soil as well as water. This is especially true with our clay and loam soils here in Kearns. These soils get saturated and unstable when wet. If that Concrete Retaining Wall is not built right, it can fail. That failure can be a dangerous as well as an expensive mess.
Do You Need a Permit? Probably.
This is an important point for your Concrete Retaining Wall project in Kearns. In most Utah municipalities, including Kearns, you will need a building permit as well as engineered drawings. This is true if your Retaining Wall is over 4 feet tall. We measure this height from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Even if it looks like it is only 3 feet above ground, that footing can push it over the limit. In addition, if your wall is supporting a driveway, a building, or even just a sloped yard that rises away from the wall, you will likely need an engineer no matter the height. The same goes for tiered walls. Two 3-foot walls stacked close together act more like one 6-foot wall to the soil behind them. This means engineering is usually required for these Concrete Retaining Walls.
Our advice is to always check with the Kearns city building department. It is better to ask upfront about your Concrete Retaining Wall than to get a stop-work order later. They will also want a drainage plan to deal with runoff for your Kearns property.
DIY or Pro? Know Your Limits.
For small, purely decorative walls that are not holding back much soil and are well under that 4-foot mark, you might be able to do it yourself. You can think of raised garden beds as well as a small border. For anything structural, especially if it is over 3 feet tall, holding back a significant slope, or near your home's foundation, you need a professional Concrete Contractor. This is important because of our local conditions in Kearns.
- Soil: Kearns has clay and loam soils. These soils expand and contract a lot with moisture changes. This puts a lot of pressure on a Concrete Retaining Wall.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles: We get 100-150 freeze-thaw cycles annually along the Wasatch Front. Water in the soil behind your wall freezes. It then expands and pushes hard. When it thaws, the soil shifts. This cycle can destroy a poorly built Concrete Retaining Wall fast.
- Drainage: Proper drainage is important for any Concrete Retaining Wall. Most Retaining Wall failures happen because water builds up behind them. A professional knows how to design as well as install proper drainage. This includes gravel backfill, perforated pipes, and weep holes. This helps to prevent hydrostatic pressure.
If you are not confident in engineering, excavation, rebar placement, and pouring concrete that can stand up to these forces, you should call us. We have been building Concrete Retaining Walls in Kearns for years. Our team understands what it takes to build a wall that lasts in Kearns.
During the Project: What a Pro Does
When you hire a concrete contractor like Kearns Concrete, we follow a clear process. Here is a look at what we do to make sure your Concrete Retaining Wall is built correctly:
- Site Assessment & Design: We look at your specific slope, soil, and drainage patterns in Kearns. Our team then designs a solution that meets structural needs as well as looks good.
- Permitting & Excavation: We will help you with the permits for your Concrete Retaining Wall project. Then we prepare the site. This involves digging a stable base for the wall's foundation.
- Forming & Reinforcement: This is where the real strength comes into the Concrete Retaining Wall. We set forms as well as install steel rebar. This reinforcement is necessary for a strong as well as a durable wall.
- Concrete Pour & Finish: We use high-quality concrete for our Concrete Retaining Walls. This concrete is often specially mixed for our local freeze-thaw cycles in Kearns. Proper pouring and curing are important. This is especially true with our hot summers as well as cold winters. Pouring concrete in extreme heat or cold can cause problems if it is not managed correctly.
After the Project: Maintenance & What to Watch For
Once your Concrete Retaining Wall is installed, it is pretty low maintenance. You still need to keep an eye on it for your Kearns property.
Regular Checks
You should walk around your Concrete Retaining Wall a few times a year. This is especially important after heavy rains or the spring thaw. You should look for these things:
- Drainage: Make sure weep holes or drain pipes are clear of debris. Water should be flowing away from the wall. It should not be pooling behind it.
- Cracks: Small surface cracks can happen. You should watch for widening cracks as well as long horizontal ones. Also look for stair-step cracks in block walls. These often mean structural movement in the Concrete Retaining Wall.
- Bulging or Leaning: If any part of the wall is bowing outwards or tilting, that is a serious sign. It means the wall is under too much pressure.
- Soil Movement: Look for soil washing out from behind or beneath the wall. You should also look for sinkholes developing. This means the Concrete Retaining Wall is not doing its job.
- Vegetation: Keep plants and weeds from growing on or too close to the wall. Their roots can cause damage to the wall.
When to Call a Pro for Repairs
If you see any of those warning signs, do not wait. This includes significant cracks, leaning, bulging, or drainage issues. A small problem can become a huge, expensive, and dangerous one quickly. Sometimes, minor issues can be repaired. This is especially true if they are caught early. If the damage is widespread, the wall is leaning heavily, or the foundation is failing, replacement might be the only safe option for your Concrete Retaining Wall in Kearns.
The goal is always safety as well as longevity. A well-built Concrete Retaining Wall will protect your property. It will also prevent erosion. This will give you usable space for decades. If you are in Kearns and thinking about a Concrete Retaining Wall, give us a call. We are here to make sure it is done right.