If you have retaining walls in your yard, it is important to make sure that they are well-maintained throughout the winter. This will ensure that none of your walls come tumbling down or need to be replaced once spring arrives. By doing so, you can make sure that your wall is ready to withstand the pressure that the winter weather can put on it. In this article, we will be going over some of our tips and tricks for winterizing your retaining wall(s). Follow along below to learn more about retaining wall maintenance in Kelowna!
Keep Your Retaining Wall in Good Shape With These Tips!
- Don’t Salt
Retaining walls that are made from brick, wood, stone or concrete blocks do not fare well when de-iced with salt. Using salt to get rid of ice near a retaining wall can cause it to corrode. Instead, it is best to find a saltless alternative for fighting icy surfaces. For instance, sand or cat litter. Using these materials as an alternative will prevent salt from wrecking your wall.
2. Bring in the Reinforcements
Most retaining walls are built with the purpose of keeping soil in place or holding back earth. However, as snow begins to fall in the Okanagan, the soil will become extra heavy. This is thanks to the added moisture and weight from the snow. One of the best ways to ensure that your wall remains structurally sound is to install metal ties.
3. Put Back Lost Soil
Over the seasons, soil loss from behind your wall is inevitable. This means that you need to replace it when it becomes too low. Making sure that soil is at an appropriate level will ensure that your wall remains strong and plantings are sufficiently covered.
Contact us About Retaining Wall Maintenance in Kelowna
Keeping your retaining wall in good shape over the winter is essential! If you have any other questions or concerns about retaining wall maintenance in Kelowna, contact us today. Our retaining wall experts would love to answer any questions that you may have. Be sure to check out our social media for progress photos and past projects. We look forward to working with you in the near future!
