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byAlma Abell
When there is sloping ground that needs to be held in place, special walls are built that will keep the soil from eroding and moving along sloped ground. These walls need to be extremely sturdy, because they have to take a lot of pressure from the ground. Most styles have seepage holes, so ground water escapes instead of building up and causing further erosion, and from creating more pressure against the walls. In the past, these walls were made with large stones and even railroad ties. Today, they are made from various materials, depending on the homeowners’ needs, although some people do still prefer the look of the older styles made with wood or stones.
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There are many different types of retaining walls used in Connecticut, and they are often used for different purposes. Some are only put in for the aesthetic appeal they offer, while others are used to hold back earth and soil. They can be built to fit right into the landscaping, and can even incorporate steps, depending on the type of walls being built. Adding steps or tiers can really make the wall look more interesting, and plants, flowers and other items can be added to the tiers.
The most common types of retaining walls are gravity walls, cantilever, sheet piling, counterfort, concrete, block, rock, cinder, and terraced. These walls can be made from a number of materials, with stone and concrete being two of the most popular among homeowners. There are also styles that are made with interlocking blocks, which don’t need to be held together with mortar so they go up faster and are much easier to build.
Because it is not a job that is overly complicated, many homeowners attempt to build retaining walls in CT themselves. But, there is actually a lot more work involved than what it would seem, and it isn’t always easy to create a wall that is perfectly level. It is best to hire professional contractors to build retaining walls in Connecticut who have plenty of experience, and know that the job is going to be done right.