| If you have an erosion problem, steep incline, | | | | Take a look at your home and the surrounding |
| unsteady bank, slope or hillside you are most likely | | | | yard. A formal setting may be more suited for a |
| thinking that you need some sort of a retaining | | | | keystone block wall. Keystone comes in various |
| wall. There are different types of material used to | | | | colors and patterns and you can even lay a |
| build retaining walls - wood, keystone blocks, | | | | formal brick patio that will match your keystone |
| concrete and boulders. You shouldn't jump to a | | | | retaining wall. A wooden wall tends to be a bit |
| quick decision about the type of material you | | | | more informal and is often used when planting |
| need for your wall neither should you let a | | | | beds will be placed on top of the wall. Concrete |
| landscape contractor or home improvement store | | | | retaining walls are somewhat inflexible and more |
| employee talk you into a material that may not | | | | suited for a commercial than residential setting. |
| be right for your situation. | | | | If you have a lake home or are in a country |
| First look at your area and decide how big of a | | | | setting, you may want to think of building a |
| wall you need. If you need a wall over three feet | | | | retaining wall from boulders. Boulders give a |
| you might have to get a permit from your local | | | | retaining wall a more natural and easy flowing |
| planning department. Also, larger walls may require | | | | appearance. Larger boulders make a wall more |
| the use of specialized equipment especially if you | | | | professional looking and are generally more stable. |
| decide you want to use boulders to build your | | | | Remember, if you have a large retaining wall and |
| wall. Can you rent the equipment you need to | | | | heavy soil there will be a great deal of pressure |
| build your boulder wall? Or, if you don't have the | | | | on the wall. Make sure you reinforce the wall as |
| time and expertise to build the wall, can you work | | | | needed and have the appropriate landscape fabric |
| with a landscape contractor to get the job done | | | | behind the wall. |
| right? Although most landscape contractors can | | | | No matter what type o retaining wall you decide |
| readily build a wall from square blocks, such as | | | | to build, consult a professional or do research |
| keystone, are they adept at the tasks needed to | | | | before tackling the project. A well built retaining |
| craft a proper boulder wall that will withstand | | | | wall should look attractive, last for years and add |
| nature and time? | | | | value to your home. |