Retaining walls can be a cost-effective way to transform tricky garden areas or sloping sections into usable spaces. Typically, New Zealand gardeners opt for timber walls as they provide a combination of affordability, durability and aesthetics.
However, there are several important factors to consider before embarking on a retaining wall project. These include building consents, design, materials and installation.
Building Consents
Whether you’re building a retaining wall for your property or for another reason, you will likely need some form of building consent. A building consent is a legally binding document issued by Hutt City Council for building work that needs to comply with the New Zealand Building Code, and other relevant laws.
You can use our online tool to help you check if your project requires a building or resource consent. You can find out what you need to know by answering a few questions about your project.
If your retaining wall will hold back less than 1.5 metres of ground, it may not need a building consent. It will also not need a resource consent if it doesn’t support a surcharge, such as a car park or driveway.
A simple retaining wall that’s under 1.5 metres high does not require a building consent, but it will need to be designed by an engineer or a licensed building practitioner (LBP). Sheds and cabins that are up to 10 square metres in floor area and don’t include any sanitary facilities, will not need a building consent.
Design
Retaining Walls Auckland are a great way to add value to your property and to your outdoor areas. They are a practical and long-lasting solution for levelling out sloped sections of land, creating terraces on hillside land and establishing secure boundaries for driveways.
Retaining walls are designed to consider site conditions such as soil strength, groundwater, load from buildings and vehicles, and other factors. These elements need to be taken into account in order for the wall to function correctly and safely.
Retaining walls are primarily made of concrete, masonry or stone. The choice of material depends on location, aesthetic qualities and the expected longevity of the wall.
Materials
Retaining walls are a practical solution for transforming slopes into usable space, whether that be for entertainment or planting. They can be made from a range of materials including timber, bricks and concrete blocks.
The type of retaining wall you choose depends on the height, soil conditions and your budget. Generally, timber retaining walls are best used on sustainable soils such as gravel, sand and stiff clay.
These types of retaining walls are low cost, quick to build and a great DIY option for homeowners or weekend warriors looking to save money on their garden project. H4 treated pine timbers are a good choice for this purpose as they are safe for contact with dirt and should last you almost two decades.
If you decide on a timber retaining wall, make sure it has a proper water drainage system to prevent excessive rainwater from causing the timber posts to rot and weaken the structure of the wall. Also, replace the topsoil or sod in front of the retaining wall as needed.
Installation
Retaining Walls Auckland are a great way to turn tricky garden areas and sloping sections into usable space. They can be used for a number of purposes including stabilising land, creating inground planters and defining a boundary.
Retaining walls can be constructed from a range of materials, from timber to concrete and bricks. A building permit may be required depending on the purpose of the wall.
The best way to ensure the installation of your retaining wall is done correctly is to employ a company that has experience with this type of work. They will know the rules around different heights, ensuring consent is not needed and will be able to help navigate these processes.
Ensuring adequate drainage behind your retaining wall is critical to its success. Without it, you will compromise the wall’s integrity which will ultimately pose a real risk to your property.