Retaining Walls and Erosion Control: Why They’re Essential for Your Property

Retaining walls are an essential feature for most landscapes to help prevent erosion. They can also be practical while adding curb appeal to your property. At Poynter Landscape, we help St. Louis-based property owners make the right choices to optimize their greenspaces.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of retaining walls and why they're literal cornerstones for your property. You can contact our expert landscaping team online or give us a call at 636-256-2600 for more information and a property assessment.

Drainage Control With Retaining Walls

Rain, snowmelt, and flooding can cause costly problems for property owners. One common mistake when building retaining walls is failing to account for proper water drainage. While retaining walls are designed to prevent slope erosion, if they are too effective at blocking water, it can accumulate behind the wall and create pressure. Over time, this buildup can lead to cracks and structural damage.

Though St. Louis doesn’t experience constant rainfall like some other regions, the occasional heavy downpour can still overwhelm landscapes. To address this, we use various drainage techniques to direct water flow to the right places—whether it's into a sewer system, away from the foundation of your home, or toward a river.

One essential feature for managing drainage is the inclusion of weep holes—small, intentional gaps in the retaining wall that allow water to escape in a controlled manner. In addition, perforated drain pipes can be installed to carry runoff away from the wall. Gravel and drainage fabric are also effective tools for slowing water flow and preventing soil from clogging the drainage system.

Effective drainage doesn’t just protect your retaining wall; it can also prevent flooding in your garden and reduce the risk of water damage to your foundation, which could lead to basement flooding.

Proper drainage control is not only crucial for private properties but also for public infrastructure. Poor drainage can lead to erosion on roadways, flooding in underground parking garages, and other hazards. In St. Louis, for example, heavy rainfall can be disruptive and dangerous, affecting travel and causing significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and the surrounding environment.

Roads, driveways, sidewalks, and other surfaces can benefit from retaining walls. Read more about FHWA’s drainage guidelines. If you're a St. Louis resident, you're aware of occasional flooding--check out recent flood information from MoDOT.

Slope Stabilization & Terraces

Hilly terrain, slopes, and ditches are victims of erosion. One effective way to combat this, alongside controlling water flow, is with strategically placed retaining walls. Over time, even the smallest hills are worn down by gravity and foot traffic. A retaining wall helps prevent soil from shifting by stabilizing the ground using concrete, stones, boards, or other materials.

In the St. Louis area, most homes and properties feature some form of slope stabilization, whether it's around bushes, sidewalks, or the perimeter of a house. These walls are essential for preventing soil erosion and protecting valuable landscape features.

One common method for stabilizing slopes is to create terraces. Terraces divide a slope into manageable levels, each supported by a retaining wall, which helps reduce soil movement and erosion. These terraces are ideal for planting gardens, positioning trees, or creating outdoor living spaces while also providing an added level of safety.

Besides their functional benefits, terraces can also enhance a home's aesthetic appeal. With durable construction, terraces provide both practical erosion control and increase property value, ultimately saving your lawn from soil degradation and preventing costly landscaping repairs in the future.

Optimizing Space

A controlled landscape with terraces, retaining walls, and carefully selected vegetation not only prevents erosion but also maximizes the usability of your property. By stabilizing the soil and creating level spaces, these measures transform previously unusable sloped terrain into functional areas for patios, driveways, garden beds, or relaxation spots. At the same time, they enhance the property’s aesthetic appeal while providing a safe and attractive environment for outdoor activities.

Erosion Control Experts in St. Louis, MO

Get in touch with Poynter Landscape today to learn more about our services, hardscaping, and erosion control. You can contact our team online or dial 636-256-2600 today.