What Are Retaining Walls And How Should One Go About Waterproofing A Retaining Wall?

One of the concepts that are becoming increasingly popular among the various homeowners is that of retaining walls. This is not just because of the practicality of these walls that they bring but the aesthetics that they add to the property. But not many homeowners have a complete idea about what these are, how should one go about constructing them and how should one ensure that they last long and serve the purpose better. The following article will help you get a better understanding of the topic even if you are someone with very little knowledge or someone who is looking to hire someone to help you with the application of retaining wall waterproofing membrane.

What is Retaining wall?

Retaining walls are structures that hold and retain the soil. These are not just important to ensure that the soil doesn’t erode which is a requirement in some cases but also a great way to add beautiful stonework that adds flair to an empty and not so great looking garden space. This prevention from soil erosion is especially beneficial in cases where there is a substantial change in the height and elevation in the garden space. Apart from preventing the soil from eroding with water or due to any other natural force, these are also helpful in managing the flow of rainwater in your yard or garden space.

 These are also useful for homeowners who wish to divide and create sections between different areas of the garden space so that it might look good or it might differentiate various functional areas. These retaining walls are especially beneficial for creating space for garden areas and restricting it’s spread and can also be a necessity for some that have property on slopes and steep sites. The only thing that concerns their use is the durability of these walls over time and some of the most prominent methods to ensure this durability is to design good drainage and apply a long-lasting retaining wall waterproofing membrane to save the wall from corroding action of water.

How should one waterproof a Retaining wall?

It is a common observation that when the water in the soil comes in contact with the retaining walls, it tends to seep into these walls. This water might corrode the metallic structure of the wall and can also build a high hydrostatic pressure. As a result of this corrosive effect and hydrostatic pressure inside the structure, the retaining wall tends to become weak and develops cracks. Over time, if one does not attend and treat this, the cracks expand and result in eventually creating a gap breaking the integrity of the wall structure, which is the primary goal behind building a retaining wall. To prevent such a scenario, one can opt to use a retaining wall waterproofing membrane which resists the passage of the water or moisture inside the wall structure. This helps in avoiding the seepage and protecting the integrity of the wall for a longer duration. One can then at regular intervals renew the retaining wall waterproofing membrane to ensure the durability of the wall for longer periods.

The Last Line

To ensure the long life of these walls, one should regularly check the pipelines and other plumbing points to avoid any water seepage chances which helps in ensuring that the retaining wall continues to serve its purpose and improve aesthetics for longer periods.