Retaining walls are great for stabilizing the hills and soil behind them but they are often not high enough for home security purposes. That is why fences are built on top of them or behind them to provide security. Customers often ask Kelowna Retaining Walls representatives if they can install fences on top of retaining walls themselves. Adding a fence to a retaining wall requires a bit of skill, the proper materials, and considerable time and labor. There are several factors to consider when planning to build a fence on top of a retaining wall.
What is a Retaining Wall? A retaining wall is a thick wall built to control and retain the soil behind it. Retaining walls can be built of several different materials including poured cement, brick, concrete block or stones. The objective of building a retaining wall is to stabilize a hill or uneven ground with a strong structure that will last for decades in every kind of weather. The retaining wall will hold back the dirt and rocks behind it, allowing for a nice level landscape in front of it. Planning This Fence Project Planning any project is important and can determine its success. There are several considerations for a fencing project in Kelowna, B.C. 1. Does it require city of Kelowna approval? The first step in a retaining wall and fencing project is to check with the city to learn what their rules and requirements are for this type of project. When the land will be excavated and a general difference in ground level is more than one meter, city approval may be needed. 2. Give notice to neighboring landowners. Avoid complaints and hard feelings by notifying the neighboring landowners of your project plans. Your retaining wall will affect them in some way. They need a warning about the project so they can be prepared. 3. Will your work affect the neighbor's land? Any project that involves digging or filling land within 600mm of the property boundary will affect the adjoining land. Excavations traveling downward at a slope from 600mm below the natural ground level is included. Building your own Fence First, the retaining wall should be well-designed and properly constructed. The plans should include the addition of a fence. Consideration should be given both to the material used in the retaining wall and the material that will be used for the fence. The retaining wall should be strong enough to support a fence. Keep in mind that the added fence will mean more overturning force when there are strong winds. The wall and the fence should be strong enough to resist wind and other forces without collapsing. If the wall will have a fence on top of it, there should be properly installed PVC pipes to support the fence. The fence needs enough support to make it strong enough to withstand any force against it and provide the home security that is needed. Different Fence Installation Plans There are three different ways to locate and install fences. A fence can be located three feet behind the retaining wall, behind the block, and on top of the wall. 1. 3 feet behind the retaining wall The most preferred location for a fence is 3 feet behind the wall. This fence location takes the pressure off the wall and allows for a strong fence installation. 2. Behind the block Fence installation close to the wall block will require professional design and building. The fence must be constructed without damaging the retaining wall structure or support so the top of the wall can resist any forces from the fence. 3. Fences on top of the wall block Fences located on top of the wall structure are the most challenging of the three fence constructions. The services of an engineer might be required to analyze the wall to make sure its design and strength can support a fence. The wall should be 200-400mm tall for a fence to be built directly on top of it. The fence posts must be embedded in the blocks and secured with concrete for strength and stability. Building a Fence on an Older Retaining Wall The wall will need to be inspected and found to be strong enough to support the added fence. If the fence will be behind the wall and require digging for the posts, that digging should be done by hand for minimal damage to the geogrid. The geogrid is the material used to reinforce the soil near the retaining wall. The ideal location of the fence with an existing retaining wall is three feet behind the wall block. Adding a fence on top of an existing wall block presents challenges for fence installers. Should You Hire a Professional or Try DIY in Adding a Fence? The decision to hire a professional to install your new fence or to install the fence yourself depends on several factors. Do you have the required skill and the time to install a fence? Have you ever installed a fence before? The fence design and plan may be more complicated than you can handle. Installing the fence may take a considerable amount of time. A professional has the tools, training, and experience to install the new fence properly and quickly without damaging the retaining wall. The decision might hinge on the height of the retaining wall and the style of the fence to be installed. For your retaining wall in Kelowna, BC, give us a call. Comments are closed.
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