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Retaining Wall Replacement In Frankston

Empire Walls recently completed a job for a client in need of a retaining wall replacement in Frankston. The existing wall had deteriorated, and the front yard garden bed was in need of some support and freshen up.

Take a look at the before picture below,

retaining wall replacement in frankston

 

Empire Walls constructed a brand-new wall using galvanised steel uprights and treated pine timber sleepers, check out the finished job below!

 

Not only does the new wall look amazing and improve the street appeal of this property, but it will also last our clients for years to come.

Hot Tip

Council approval is sometimes required when you’re installing a retaining wall. Make sure to gain approval through your local council to avoid any issues.

About Empire Retaining Walls

Licensed and registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Adam Ilic of Empire Retaining Walls has been a trusted service provider of the Mornington Peninsula for more than 12 years. Each of our clients receive personalised service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality workmanship made of the finest materials.

If you are in need of a new retaining wall, contact us for a free quote and consultation today.

* Call Adam on 0421 573 001

* Email us at empirewalls@live.com.au

* Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

 

To find out more about our service areas, please visit empirewalls.com.au.

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How To Tell When Your Retaining Wall Needs Replacing

Is your retaining wall looking a bit worse for wear these days? There comes a time where every retaining wall will need to be replaced. Here’s how to tell when your retaining wall needs replacing.

A retaining wall is a professionally engineered stabilising structure designed to hold sloping earth and soil in place. If the wall fails, soil collapse can put your property at risk and ruin the aesthetic of your garden.

Many property owners are unaware how integral these walls are to the overall health of their property. It is vital to maintain and regularly check your retaining wall, and to understand their role in the protection of your home.

So, what should you look for?

  • The wall is titled forward, or has a bowed appearance
  • The appearance of sloping or uneven floors, decks and outdoor living spaces
  • 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
  • One section is separated from the surrounding structure

 

If you notice your retaining wall showing any of these signs, it would be best to call in a registered retaining wall builder to inspect it for you.

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
  • The age of the retaining wall, all retaining walls will need to be replaced at some point

Usually, the safest option is to tear down the existing retaining wall and replace it completely. Your retaining wall specialist will advise you on what will be best for your property and garden.

It is crucial to remember that tearing down and replacing a retaining wall isn’t a weekend DIY project. It is best to leave it to the professionals to ensure the safety of yourself and your property isn’t compromised. They will be able to assess the site-specific issues you are having and make recommendations on how best to proceed.

 

About Empire Retaining Walls

Licensed and registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Adam Ilic of Empire Retaining Walls has been a trusted service provider of the Mornington Peninsula for more than 12 years. Each of our clients receive personalised service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality workmanship made of the finest materials.

To ensure the integrity of your design, contact us for a free quote and consultation today.

* Call Adam on 0421 573 001

* Email us at empirewalls@live.com.au

* Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

To find out more about our service areas, please visit empirewalls.com.au.

 

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Empire Walls Heads to Frankston South- Retaining Wall Replacement

Empire Walls Heads to Frankston South- Retaining Wall Replacement.

Empire Walls recently headed to Frankston South to replace an aged retaining wall running along our client’s driveway.

As you can tell by the pictures below, the existing wall was quite old and had started to deteriorate. The garden bed was no longer supported, and the overall appearance was looking a bit sad.

 

frankston south retaining wall replacement  

Our team came in and constructed a new smooth concrete sleeper retaining wall for one very pleased client.

The pictures below show how much the visual appeal of the driveway and front garden has improved, a brand-new inviting entrance to the property.

 

frankston south retaining wall replacement

Now that the retaining wall has been replaced by Empire Walls, the front garden and plants will be supported for many years to come!

Hot Tip

Council approval is sometimes required when you’re installing a retaining wall. Make sure to gain approval through your local council to avoid any issues.

 

About Empire Retaining Walls

Licensed and registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Adam Ilic of Empire Retaining Walls has been a trusted service provider of the Mornington Peninsula for more than 12 years. Each of our clients receive personalised service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality workmanship made of the finest materials.

 

To ensure the integrity of your design, contact us for a free quote and consultation today.

 

* Call Adam on 0421 573 001

* Email us at empirewalls@live.com.au

* Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

 

To find out more about our service areas, please visit empirewalls.com.au.

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A New Look For Local Mornington Peninsula School

A new look for local Mornington Peninsula school, thanks to Empire Retaining Walls!

Empire Walls recently completed some extensive work for a local school and gave the gardens and footpaths a much-needed facelift.

Working with the highest quality materials available, we were able to create a fresh space for the students and teachers to enjoy for years to come.

Check out some pictures of the completed job below, the results speak for themselves!

Hot Tip

Council approval is sometimes required when you’re installing a retaining wall. Make sure to gain approval through your local council to avoid any issues.

About Empire Retaining Walls

Licensed and registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Adam Ilic of Empire Retaining Walls has been a trusted service provider of the Mornington Peninsula for more than 12 years. Each of our clients receive personalised service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality workmanship made of the finest materials.

To ensure the integrity of your design, contact us for a free quote and consultation today.

* Call Adam on 0421 573 001

* Email us at empirewalls@live.com.au

* Follow us on Facebook and Instagram

To find out more about our service areas, please visit empirewalls.com.au.

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How To Protect Your Garden And Property With a Retaining Wall

Do you live on a sloping block of land and are wondering how to protect your garden and property?

Not only do retaining walls add a visual feature to your garden, they are also built to prevent the movement of earth and soil.

Heavy rain or even a slight movement of the earth can result in a shift in the soil. If the soil shifts too much, the slope can collapse and cause damage to your garden or property.

Below is an example of our work for a client who experienced heavy rain which resulted in a landslide, causing damage to their original retaining wall.

 

Our customer centric approach means that each client receives personalised
service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality
finished products made of the finest materials. And when it comes to retaining
walls, we guarantee our workmanship from the ground up.

To ensure the integrity of your design, contact us for a free quote and
consultation today.

 

  • Call Adam on 0421 573 001
  • Email empirewalls@live.com.au
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • To find out more about our service areas, please visit
    empirewalls.com.au.

 

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How To Transform Your Backyard Into A Useable Area With A Retaining Wall

Transform your backyard with Empire Retaining Walls. Many homeowners are unsure on how to maximise their yard into a useable space. If you have a sloping or uneven terrain, building a retaining wall is a great way to add function and visual appeal to your garden.

Retaining walls are designed to support the weight of the soil between different levels of your yard. They also prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of flooding.

Check out some of our recent work below! Our client’s sloping yard was transformed into a much more appealing and useable area.

Before;

transform your backyard
transform your backyard

After;

transform your backyard

transform your backyard

You might feel up to the task of building a retaining wall yourself however we recommend leaving it to the experts. Unless you have the necessary background and experience, it may end up more costly and to ensure safety it would be wise to hire a professional.

If you’re ready to transform your backyard and create the outdoor space of your dreams, contact Adam today!

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Retaining wall replacement – case study

We recently replaced a 30 year old retaining wall in Mt Eliza.

Issues with the existing structure:

* Redgum sleepers had not been waterproofed

* Uprights rotted at the base

* No drainage behind the wall

before

Retaining walls are specially engineered stabilising structures, designed to hold sloping soil in place. One of the most important factors, but certainly not the only one, to ensuring a safe and stable structure is correct retaining wall drainage.

Without effective retaining wall drainage, pressure will build up behind the wall. This may create bulging, cracking and eventually, collapse. Well-designed retaining walls will not tip over and will support, not only the earth behind the wall, but any lateral loads that may be applied – cars for example.

Replacement recommendation:

* Timber sleeper retaining wall

* Galvanised steel uprights

* Drainage behind wall

The replacement wall was designed and constructed to engineer specifications.

We recommended a timber sleeper retaining wall, which is a cost effective solution with a long life expectancy. Galvanised steel uprights do cost more than timber uprights because they also have a longer life expectancy.

after 1

 

A retaining wall is a specially engineered stabilising structure. If not properly installed, the stability and longevity of the retaining wall is called into question. If a retaining wall should fail, significant damage and even injury may result.

About us:

Licensed and registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Adam Ilic of Empire Retaining Walls has been a trusted service provider of residential and commercial clients, including builders and architects, across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula for more than 12 years.

Our customer centric approach means that each client receives personalised service and a custom solution. We take great pride in delivering top quality finished products made of the finest materials. And when it comes to retaining walls, we guarantee our workmanship from the ground up.

To ensure the integrity of your design and the safety of you home and family, contact us for a free quote and consultation today.

* Call Adam on 0421 573 001

* Email Adam at email empirewalls@live.com.au

* Follow us on Facebook

To find out more about our service areas, please visit empirewalls.com.au.

 

after 2

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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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Landscaping tips for landlords

Landscaping a rental property is very different from landscaping your home. As a landlord you should be looking at inexpensive improvements that will increase rent and ultimately the value of the property. Here are our top landscaping tips for landlords:
1.       Fencing can be a major draw card for young families and pet owners, who’d like to put an extra barrier between their child or furry friend and the road. A fence can also increase street appeal, create a sense of space and evoke a sense of security. Plus it can provide additional privacy. It doesn’t have to be traditional fence – make a statement with a retaining wall.
2.       Privacy can also be improved by using hedges or climbers along a fence line. Essentially you’re looking for plants that won’t cause damage to your property during a storm (large trees, for example), suited to the local environment and easy to care for. If you choose a retaining wall rather than a traditional fence, you may not require screening plants.
3.       And that brings us to maintenance. Minimise the number of plant species in your garden and make sure they’re suited to the local environment. Evergreens are a great idea because they keep your garden looking luscious all year round!
4.       Entertainment areas are also a major draw cards. Investments like pools should be avoided due to installation costs, maintenance and even insurance. But investing in some brickwork or a deck off a communal living area is a good way to attract tenants and add square metres to your property. More info: Boost property value by $100,000+ by adding a deck>
5.       Accessibility and safety is of paramount importance. People don’t want to rent a space they can’t use or is potentially dangerous. So if you have a sloping yard, or one prone to flooding, consider installing a retaining wall or two to level it out and improve draining, while adding designer appeal. More info:How to choose the right retaining wall>
About the author: Empire Retaining Walls are the retaining wall specialists in the Mornington Peninsula Shire and we guarantee our retaining walls from the ground up. We can also assist with fencing, brickwork, decking and other landscaping services.
Looking for tips on landscaping as a home owner? Read Landscaping to enjoy now and increase resale value later>
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Landscaping to enjoy now and increase resale value later

Here are our three top landscaping tips for homeowners who want to make the most of their properties now, while investing in their increased value for the future.

  1. Install a retaining wall.

If you have a sloping yard, or it’s prone to flooding, a retaining wall will level out the yard making it more accessible and improve drainage. Practically, retaining walls prevent soil erosion and generally make your yard a safer place.

Aesthetically they can also make stunning landscaping features, taking your average backyard from drab to fab…  Imagine having a split level backyard – tiered flower beds, outdoor entertaining areas, a grassy knoll or two. Think designer appeal but for a fraction of the cost.

And that’s just the backyard! What about the front?

Create a stunning first impression with a spectacularly designed retaining wall that separates your home from the street. It will increase privacy, in some cases reduce noise and block unattractive views.

Consider retaining wall materials>

  1. Erect a deck

Decking isn’t just for those who have a pool. Cheaper than adding a large extension, decking is the most cost effective and time efficient method of adding square metres to your home.

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.

In 2012, domain.com.au estimated that adding a deck could increase a property’s value by up to $100,000. Given how the property market has skyrocketed since, it’s probably more now.

Read more about getting on deck>

  1. Easy care lawns and gardens

According to domain.com.au, a Michigan University study found that homeowners achieved a 109 per cent return on every landscaping dollar spent – higher than any other home improvement. The same Michigan University research found good landscape design increased perceived home value by 5–11 per cent.

For your enjoyment and resale value, you want something that looks fabulous but is relatively low maintenance. Consider laying hardy new turf, minimising the number of plant species in your garden to make it easy to care for and to give a more uniform look. Irrigation systems are also a big winner.

Click here for autumn lawn and garden care tips>

Empire Retaining Walls offers residential and commercial customers, including builders and architects, practical and aesthetically pleasing landscaping services and solutions. Find out how we can help you today>

 

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