If you have a sloping yard in Macungie, you know how quickly heavy spring rains can turn your lawn into a muddy slide. Absolute Concrete Co gets asked about Retaining Walls almost every single week out here. Homeowners want to know what they are getting into before breaking ground, so we will look at the real questions people ask our team on-site.
Do I actually need a permit for a Retaining Wall in Macungie?
Most of the time, yes. If your Retaining Wall is going to be over four feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, Lower Macungie Township requires a permit and engineered drawings. Even if the Retaining Wall is shorter, it is always smart to check local setbacks, especially if you live near a property line or utility easement. Skip this step, and you might find yourself tearing down a brand-new structure because it violates local code.
How deep do the footings need to go in our local soil?
Here in the Lehigh Valley, we deal with heavy clay and serious freeze-thaw cycles. That means your footings have to go below the frost line, which sits around 36 inches deep here. If a contractor tries to pour a shallow footing on top of our local clay, expect that Retaining Wall to start leaning or cracking the first time we get a hard winter.
Poured concrete or block? Which one holds up better?
Poured concrete wins for sheer strength every single time. Absolute Concrete Co builds solid poured Retaining Walls because they handle lateral earth pressure much better than stacked blocks, especially when holding back heavy saturated soil after a summer storm. Blocks look fine for garden borders, but if you are holding up a steep slope behind an older home near Alburtis Avenue, you want a poured concrete Retaining Wall.
How do you handle water pressure behind the wall?
Water is the number one killer of Retaining Walls. If water gets trapped behind the concrete, the hydrostatic pressure builds up until something gives. That is why every proper Retaining Wall needs weep holes and a clean gravel backfill wrapped in filter fabric. The water needs a clear path to escape through the Retaining Wall rather than pushing the whole structure forward.
Will my yard be completely destroyed during construction?
Heavy equipment is going to leave a mark on your property. Absolute Concrete Co needs skid steers and concrete trucks on site, and they weigh several tons. While our team does our best to protect your turf and clean up when we are finished, expect to do some lawn repair or reseeding once the Retaining Wall is done. Anyone telling you a major earth retention project will not touch your grass is not being realistic.
How long should a poured concrete Retaining Wall actually last?
Built right with proper drainage and quality mix, a poured concrete Retaining Wall will easily last 50 to 70 years, often outliving the house itself. It is a permanent fix for drainage and grading issues. Cut corners on the base prep or skip the steel reinforcement, and you will be replacing the Retaining Wall in a decade. Absolute Concrete Co provides Retaining Wall services for homes in Macungie, PA.