Before I build my new house
The sloping block is ever coming up in the new home building scene. Making sure all soil is correctly levelled and retained is critical before you engage a building team.
In most cases, you want to build on a level and compact stable ground. Here you will cut and or excavate and this will need retaining or be supported. This provides a level surface where no soil collapses into or falls onto your levelled area. Retaining walls will need to be put in place depending on the land.
Retaining walls may need to be on boundaries to keep two levels stable at the same time. In some instances, retaining walls may need to be built and in place even if you are not building yet. This allows an adjoining neighbour to build and arrange to fence with you. To maximise space you both may decide to place the fencing atop the retaining wall to save space and money. retaining walls may need to be built and in place even if you are not building yet.
So what type of wall have you decided on? There is a choice depending on your requirements.
A concrete sleeper retaining wall which is low maintenance and durable to a sandstone retaining wall, brick and masonry, concrete and gabion retaining walls, and timber.
Just remember concrete and masonry walls are incredibly tough and don’t rot, warp, decay or suffer attacks from termites and borers, unlike a sleeper retaining wall. They are also effective in holding back a significant amount of weight of soil from a build.
Call us if you are unsure about any aspect of constructing a retaining wall before your new house build. We can also help with any permits that may be required in building your retaining wall.