Retaining Walls Services | Toronto and GTA
Interlock retaining walls are a great way to protect and maintain your property. They’re constructed with natural and manufactured stones, bricks or blocks, which help increase durability and strength. The walls can be designed in a variety of patterns and shapes, making them suitable for different spaces.
Why Choose Our Retaining Wall Services?
Retaining walls are structures that used to bound two elevation levels of soil or some other landscape material. They are usually used where the landscape needs to be shaped and constructed to hold the pressure of soil behind it. There are many different materials that can be used to create retaining walls like wood, poured concrete, armour stone, blocks, or interlocking. It is crucial to hire experienced and professional contractors like Action Home Services who knows all the city by-laws and will build your retaining wall safely.
When you call AHS for your retaining wall project, you can expect the following:
- A free in-home estimate
- Experienced and trained professionals
- Affordable rates
- Limited warranty on labour (Up to 5 years)
- Other stonework services for your driveway, patio, pool and more.
Service | Price | Estimate |
---|---|---|
Retaining Wall Services | $50 / foot | Free In-Home Estimate |
Certified Professionals
Retaining Wall Design & Installation
Retaining Wall Purpose
The main purpose of a retaining wall is to hold soil or aggregate behind the wall. There are a few ways retaining walls can be used:
- To change the elevation of the ground
- To protect the foundation of a building or structure
- To increase curb appeal or aesthetics of the home (ie; used as the structure for an outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, raised flower bed or garden, etc.)
The main reason for retaining walls failing is a lack of drainage. This is usually a result of improper construction of the retaining wall, combined with constant, drastic temperature changes. If non-permeable material is used behind the wall, the soil behind the wall will absorb the water, and the constant freezing and expansion will put pressure on the wall, causing it to deteriorate.
To prevent this, we backfill the retaining wall with 3/4 clear gravel. The gravel allows the water from the top of the wall to drain down to the bottom, where it is absorbed by weeping tile or pipes and drained away, alleviating the pressure from the retaining wall.
Note that retaining walls should not be built on soil; they require a gravel base with an average depth of 6 to 12 inches, as well as geotextile to separate the soil from the base. Any block (concrete, interlocking) retaining wall over 3 feet high should be installed on a concrete base with geogrid reinforcement.
Retaining Wall Installation
The retaining walls can be constructed in four different ways: gravity wall, piling wall, cantilever wall, anchored wall. The most popular methods of building retaining walls in landscaping are gravity retaining walls and cantilever retaining walls. Gravity retaining walls depend on their own weight and the base on which they are built. They can be built with the masonry bricks, concrete blocks or poured concrete. The stones or the bricks may be glued together using construction adhesive or cement. Cantilever retaining walls are usually made of reinforced concrete or mortared masonry. These walls are typically supported from the back or front to improve their strength.
Retaining Wall Contractors
Before building retaining walls, there are many factors which have to be determined like: will the ground above be slopped or leveled? Does it hold soil sand or clay? Will it Gravity Retaining Wall or Reinforced Retaining Wall? Here, at Action Home Services our landscape experts will build your retaining wall which will not only look good but last for decades. We work with all major suppliers in GTA, so there will be a wide variety of facing textures, sizes, shapes, and colours. Once we build your maintenance free retaining wall – you can be sure it is built to last.
Retaining Wall Contractor in Toronto
Installing an interlock retaining wall is a great way to spruce up your outdoor space while also providing additional functionality and durability. These walls come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your landscape design goals. Plus, they require minimal maintenance so you won’t have to worry about them needing frequent repairs or replacements down the line! If you’re looking for a way to add some visual interest and functionality to your yard then look no further than installing an interlock retaining wall today!
Retaining Wall Repair Services
Ensuring that your retaining walls are properly looked after is an essential part of any home maintenance. The purpose of a retaining wall is to hold in any lateral pressure from soil pushing against it. Retaining walls can be made out of a variety of materials including concrete, stone, wood, masonry, steel and brick.
Usually, the signs that a retaining wall is damaged and in need of repair are obvious. They are also easy to ignore. The sooner you identify a problem and have team of retaining walls repair experts fix it, the easier and cheaper the job will be. It is vital that you are familiar with how to spot if your retaining wall is damaged. Here are some indications that would require the help of a retaining walls repair service:
- Tilting Walls
- Separation of Retaining Wall from Adjoining Walls
- Forward Movement of Wall or Wall Sections
- Buckling, Cracked, or Crumbling Walls
The cost of your retaining wall will depend on several factors, such as the material, size, and complexity of the structure, as well as the site’s accessibility. Generally, for a retaining wall over 2 feet high and 30 feet long you could be looking at an average of $50-$150 per linear foot for every 6 inches in height.
- Material Selection: There are a range of retaining wall materials to choose from, ranging in cost, concrete being the most expensive, followed by metal/steel, blocks, armour stone, and wood.
- Retaining Wall Size: Each material has its own sizing considerations. For example, wooden retaining walls cannot be built over 10 feet, or they will become vulnerable to cracking and splinting, whereas concrete retaining walls wouldn’t be efficient or cost-effective for walls under 2 feet high. Additionally, the larger the wall, the higher the materials and labour costs, and the lower the price per unit will be.
- Complexity of Structure: Retaining walls that are straight and have the same height throughout are faster and easier to build, due to their simplistic design. Retaining walls with different elevations that connect to steps, gardens, and so on, are more expensive due to the additional time and resources required.
- Site Accessibility: Heavy equipment is required for excavation, in order to properly prep the area for drainage. If the project site is not accessible for the equipment, time and labor costs will rise significantly. For example, building a retaining wall on the sides of a driveway is highly accessible because equipment and machinery can be maneuvered on the driveway.
An interlock retaining wall can provide a number of benefits, including adding visual interest to your landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of installing an interlock retaining wall.
Aesthetics
One of the biggest benefits of installing an interlock retaining wall is that it can add visual interest to your landscape. These walls come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and aesthetics. Whether you’re looking for something modern or something classic, there are plenty of options available. Additionally, these walls are also easy to customize with various accents like lighting or plants.
Durability
Interlock retaining walls are incredibly durable and designed to last for decades with minimal maintenance. This makes them ideal for areas with harsh weather conditions or other factors that could cause damage to regular brick or stone walls. In addition, the materials used in these walls are resistant to fading from UV rays from the sun. This ensures that your wall will stay looking great even after years of exposure to the elements.
Functionality
Interlock retaining walls aren’t just for looks; they can also be functional as well. For instance, these walls are often used as seating areas in outdoor spaces like patios or decks. They provide comfortable seating without taking up too much space and can be easily incorporated into existing landscaping designs without disrupting the overall flow of the space. Additionally, they can also be used as barriers to separate different parts of your yard or garden while still allowing light and air to flow through them.
Erosion Protection
Finally, interlock retaining walls can help protect against soil erosion due to their ability to hold back large amounts of water that would otherwise be able to wash away precious topsoil. This can be especially beneficial if you live in an area prone to flooding or heavy rains as it will prevent your soil from being washed away by the water.
Labour for retaining walls cost around $50-$100 per linear foot.
Area We Offer Our Retaining Wall Services
- Ajax
- Aurora
- Belleville
- Bolton
- Bowmanville
- Bridle Path
- Brampton
- Brantford
- Burlington
- Caledon
- Cambridge
- Cobourg
- Concord
- East York
- Etobicoke
- Fergus
- Forest Hill
- Georgetown
- Guelph
- Halton Hills
- Hamilton
- Keswick
- Kitchener
- Kleinburg
- King City
- Lindsay
- Listowel
- London
- Maple
- Mississauga
- Markham
- Milton
- Napanee
- Newmarket
- North York
- Oakville
- Orangeville
- Oshawa
- Peterborough
- Pickering
- Port Hope
- Port Perry
- Rosedale
- Richmond Hill
- Scarborough
- Schomberg
- St. Catharines
- Stouffville
- The Beaches
- Thornhill
- Toronto
- Trenton
- Unionville
- Uxbridge
- Vaughan
- Waterloo
- Whitby
- Woodbridge
- York Mills