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October 5, 2016 at 10:52 pm

Landscaping ideas for big backyards

Landscaping idea 1: 

Level up

pic-1

Ideal if you have an already sloping backyard, but also great for those who want to break up large areas of lawn.

Think raised garden beds…Not the aluminium Bunnings type, but a true landscaping feature.

Retaining walls can be designed and installed in a variety of aesthetically pleasing materials suited to your surroundings.

Landscaping idea 2:

Level out

pic-2

Retaining walls make sloping yards, once inaccessible, dangerous or prone to flooding, a thing of the past.

Not just a practical solution; as shown (above), retaining walls are great landscaping features.

However, these are stabilising structures that need to be correctly engineered and installed to withstand the pressure of the soil they retain. Avoid DIY jobs.

Landscaping idea 3:

Step up

low res retaining wall

If you want raised areas, like those shown above, to remain accessible, stairs are a fabulous idea.

Not only will they allow you to make the most of your space, they will quickly become the focal point of your yard.

They may even lead to your outdoor entertaining area, which brings us to our next point…

Landscaping idea 4:

Entertain outdoors

pic-4

If you have the space, those stairs could lead you up the garden path to a place that used to be inaccessible but is now a small sanctuary or fabulous outdoor entertaining area.

Imagine sitting here, in the sun, reading a book, cup of tea in hand, or roasting marshmallows in the fire with friends, while sipping wine.

Bliss!

Landscaping idea 5:

Create an outdoor living space

Reduce the mowing, weeding and general gardening, while increasing the value of your house by adding square metres to the floor plan. How? Get on deck!

If you home lends itself to it, create flow between internal and external spaces by having your outdoor living area lead off an indoor entertaining area. You’ll get more use of the deck if it’s accessible from a communal space.

Close it in, maybe with bistro binds, so you can still appreciate the great outdoors, and you basically have a whole other room happening!

About Empire Walls

Providing complete landscaping services to residential and commercial clients for more than 10 years, Empire Walls are the retaining wall specialists in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. We ensure each client receives personalised service, their retaining wall is fit for purpose and we guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up. Retaining walls are just the start – offered as part of our complete landscaping services.

For examples of our work or If you’re after a service not listed here, please see www.empirewalls.com.au.

For more information and/or a free quote, call Adam on 0421 573 001 or email empirewalls@live.com.au.

For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.

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February 16, 2016 at 11:49 pm

What you need to know: Segmental retaining wall

In this blog we will consider the three best attributes of the segmental retaining wall; a wall made up of individual modular concrete blocks that interlock with each other.

  1. Choice: Individual segmental retaining wall blocks can be laid in different boding patterns, adding to your design options. Walls can be built straight, curved and circular. Plus you can choose from a generous selection of styles, sizes, colours and textures.
  2. Durable: Segmental retaining wall blocks can tolerate movement and settlement without causing cracking. They also do not rot or decay like some other wooden walls, nor are they vulnerable to white ants and/or borers.
  3. Easily maintained: When most retaining walls show signs of damage, often the easiest and safety thing to do is tear it down and build a new one. Click here to read Signs your retaining wall needs to be repaired or replaced> However, individual segmental retaining wall blocks can be replaced if one gets damaged.

You’ll find a lot of DIY articles on how to build a segmental retaining wall on the internet, but as always, we advise against it. A retaining wall is a specially engineered stabilising structure. If it should fail significant damage may follow so trying to cut costs could end up being costly. Remember free consultations/quotes are available.

Empire Walls are the retaining wall specialists in the Mornington Peninsula and its surrounds. We ensure each client receives personalised service and that their retaining wall is fit for purpose. We are fully licensed and insured, and guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up. Retaining walls are just the start – offered as part of our complete landscaping services.

  • For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.
  • If you’re after a service not listed here, refer to this list for details of our complete landscaping services.
  • For more information/a free quote, call Adam on 0421 573 001 or email empirewalls@live.com.au.
  • For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.
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October 26, 2015 at 3:26 am

Signs your retaining wall needs to be repaired or replaced

The primary purpose of a retaining wall is to hold sloping soil in place. It is a specially engineered stabilising structure. As a result, if the retaining wall should fail, significant damage can follow. For this reason it is important to regularly check your retaining wall for signs that it needs to be repaired or replaced. So what should you look for?

Warning signs your retaining wall needs repairs

  • The wall is titled forward, or has a bowed appearance
  • The appearance of sloping or uneven floors, decks and outdoor living spaces, if applicable
  • Cracks or crevices are starting to appear in the wall
  • Cracks or crevices are appearing in the adjacent flooring
  • The face of the wall is crumbling, if applicable
  • One section is separated from the surrounding structure

If your retaining wall is showing any of these signs, call your local retaining wall specialists to inspect.

What causes a retaining wall to fail?

  • The issue could be related to the material used – for example, a timber retaining wall may warp and/or rot
  • Poor drainage, which can also mean the soil becomes too heavy for the wall to hold any more
  • The wall may have come under stress factors that it wasn’t originally designed to cope with
  • The retaining wall in place may not be best suited to the circumstances
  • Poor workmanship

If your retaining wall is failing due to any of the above, it is often safer to tear down the existing structure and replace it completely.

Replacing a retaining wall isn’t a DIYer

If you notice that your retaining wall is in need of some small repairs, you may be inclined to give it a go yourself.

Stop.

The warning signs above are not just superficial – a much larger issue is causing them. Trying to repair a retaining wall yourself puts you, your family, property and pets at risk.

And you should certainly NEVER attempt to remove a retaining wall yourself. This is a specialist process. Those who are not experienced risk disturbing the soil behind the wall, which will then collapse.

Call in the experts. They will be able to assess the site specific issues you are having and make recommendations on how to proceed.

Empire Retaining Walls are the retaining wall specialists in the Mornington Peninsula Shire and its surroundings. We ensure each client receives personalised service, are fully licensed and fully insured, and guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up.

  • For examples of our work, please refer to the Empire Retaining Walls online ‘Portfolio’.
  •  If you’re after a service not listed here, please all Adam on 0421 573 001 to discuss your needs.
  • To obtain a free retaining wall quote, call Adam or email empirewalls@live.com.au.
  • For free landscaping tips and to stay in touch, follow us on Facebook.
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