Why Every Sloped Yard in Kent Could Benefit from a Retaining Wall

Understanding Kent’s Geology and Topography

Kent’s geologic past has produced a variety of terrain types, which contain steep slopes, gentle slopes, and transitional zones (the zone in between) where there is significant elevation change in a short distance. While the natural features of Kent are aesthetically pleasing, they also present many obstacles for homeowners as far as function and maintenance.

Kent’s glacial origin resulted in clay-rich soils that, when saturated during Kent’s wet season, will have instability issues. During dry periods, slopes that do not show instability will begin to move or slide when the soil is saturated with rainwater from the winter season, resulting in safety and property damage risks.

Homeowners throughout neighborhoods such as Scenic Hill, the areas adjacent to Lake Meridian, and homes located on the transition zones (valley floor to hillside) face challenges daily with slope stability, water runoff, and limitations of usable space.

In addition, the way that modern development is occurring, homes are being developed on previously undisturbed lands that have been converted into sloping land, thus disrupting the natural drainage paths and requiring engineered solutions to stabilize the slopes and prevent erosion problems.

Erosion Prevention and Soil Stability

One of the major threats to sloped properties in Kent is the threat of uncontrolled erosion. The Pacific Northwest’s heavy rainfall pattern of intense winter storms and prolonged wet periods can rapidly erode unprotected slopes and destroy landscaping or possibly threaten structures.

Installing a retaining wall immediately prevents erosion by creating defined grade changes that disrupt water flow and prevent soil movement. Retaining wall designs installed by professionals include drain systems to safely direct water while maintaining the stability of the slope under all weather conditions in Kent.

Properly designed retaining walls improve soil stability significantly by redistributing loads and structurally supporting slopes that could potentially move slowly or fail suddenly during extreme weather events.

Generally, installing retaining walls for erosion prevention is much less expensive than continuing to repair landscaping, hardscaping, or structural damage from the continuous movement of slopes over an extended period of time.

Creating Usable Outdoor Space

Sloped yards make it very difficult for homeowners to create functional outdoor spaces for their families and guests, thereby limiting the ability to install patios, play areas, gardens, etc., to enhance property value and family enjoyment. Installing a retaining wall creates level terracing that expands the homeowner’s possibilities to utilize their yard for a variety of outdoor uses.

Terracing creates the opportunity to have multiple functional areas at different levels, thus allowing homeowners to engage in various outdoor activities while still viewing the beauty of Kent’s natural surroundings. Neighborhoods that are close to parks such as Russell Road Park can be enhanced by the proximity of recreational opportunities.

Level areas created by retaining walls provide a stable base for the installation of outdoor structures such as decks, pergolas, or garden features that cannot be easily or economically installed on sloped terrain. In many cases, the installation of retaining walls increases the property value and marketability of the property.

Retaining Wall Placement Can Create Functional Areas

When strategically placed, retaining walls can create private and intimate outdoor rooms or entertainment areas that take advantage of views, provide wind protection, and provide privacy. Many of Kent’s elevated homes can take full advantage of the design opportunities provided by retaining walls to maximize their landscaped potential.

Water Runoff and Drainage

Kent receives a tremendous amount of precipitation annually; thus, effective water management techniques are required for sloped properties where excess water can cause erosion, flooding, or structural problems. Engineered drainage systems are included in the design of retaining wall systems to protect both the wall and the surrounding property from excessive water accumulation.

Engineered drainage systems typically include weep holes, drainage pipes, and gravel backfill, and will safely direct surface water runoff away from structures and landscaping. Effective water management often eliminates chronic soggy areas or bogs that form on slopes during Kent’s wet season. Proper water management enables homeowners to utilize their yard for landscaping and outdoor recreation that were previously non-functional due to constant moisture.

Compatibility With Existing Drainage Systems

Ensuring compatibility with existing drainage systems will ensure that new retaining walls enhance, rather than impede, the overall property water management. Professional designers consider upstream water sources and downstream drainage requirements to provide comprehensive solutions.

Value to Property Owners

Well-designed retaining walls can be a great return on investment for homeowners through increased property value and enhanced marketability. Kent’s competitive real estate market places a high value on functional outdoor spaces and professionally landscaped properties.

Retaining walls demonstrate a proactive approach to managing slopes and eliminating concerns related to slope stability and/or erosion that could negatively impact property values or insurance. Potential homebuyers often see retaining walls as a desirable feature rather than a future concern.

Professional installation of retaining walls will result in walls that match the architectural styles found throughout Kent’s diverse neighborhoods. Additionally, a well-coordinated design will enhance the overall property aesthetic while providing functional benefits that will attract potential buyers.

Increased Property Values From Retaining Walls

Increased usable space created by retaining walls often justifies the cost associated with retaining wall installation through increased property values, specifically in areas where large, flat, usable outdoor spaces command higher prices in the real estate market.

Contemporary Design Options

There are several aesthetically pleasing design options available today for modern retaining walls that complement Kent’s architectural diversity and natural landscape character. Modern retaining wall design can enhance the appearance of a property instead of detracting from its appearance while providing necessary functional benefits.

Material selection options for retaining walls, including natural stone, decorative concrete, and contemporary block systems, enable homeowners to customize the design of their retaining walls to blend seamlessly with their existing hardscape and architectural features. Homeowners throughout Kent’s many neighborhoods can select design options that fit their individual style preferences.

Landscaping Opportunities

Retaining walls offer integrated landscaping opportunities, including planting pockets, built-in seating, and decorative features that turn functional retaining walls into beautiful landscape focal points. Often, design elements incorporated into retaining walls provide additional value beyond the simple stabilization of the slope.

Lighting Options for Functionality and Beauty

Retaining walls provide homeowners with opportunities to integrate lighting to create dramatic evening effects while enhancing safety and usability. Professionally installed retaining walls can include lighting systems that highlight the features of the retaining wall while providing functional light for homeowners to utilize in their outdoor activities.

Functional Benefits of Retaining Walls Throughout the Year

Kent’s seasonal weather patterns create ongoing challenges for property owners to manage their slopes effectively. Retaining walls address these challenges effectively throughout the year by protecting against erosion and soil movement in the winter months while providing stability for landscaping and outdoor activity in the summer months.

Compared to the ongoing slope repair, erosion control, and restoration of landscaping that unprotected slopes will require after winter weather damage, retaining walls have few seasonal maintenance requirements.

Retaining walls create a stable base for snow load management. Terraced landscaping created by retaining walls reduces the difficulty and expense of removing snow from the yard and reduces the risk of creating slope stability problems or creating safety hazards.

Spring cleanup and preparation for landscaping are simplified with a retaining wall, whichd provide consistent growing conditions for homeowners’ landscaping investments.

Professional Design and Installation

Kent Concrete Masters provides comprehensive site evaluation and design services to homeowners to ensure that their retaining wall solution addresses their unique property challenges and maximizes functional and aesthetic benefits. Professional evaluation of your site determines optimal placement and design strategies.

Structural engineering is applied to retaining wall installations to ensure compliance with local building codes and to provide sufficient safety factors for Kent’s soils and climate-related challenges. Professional design will help to prevent costly failures and ensure long-term performance.

Obtaining permits and ensuring compliance with city inspections will be handled by our professional contractors, thus ensuring that your project meets City of Kent requirements and provides documentation for insurance and resale purposes.

Our quality construction practices, including proper excavation, drainage installation, and backfill methods, determine the long-term performance of retaining walls. Our professional staff will oversee the construction process to ensure that your retaining wall installation performs reliably for 50–75 years with minimal maintenance requirements.

Investment Value

Retaining wall installations provide long-term improvements to a homeowner’s property that provide ongoing benefits for generations of property owners. Reliability and performance of a retaining wall will depend upon quality construction practices that provide decades of dependable performance with minimal maintenance.

Potential insurance savings can be realized through lower liability exposure and possibly lower premiums due to engineered slope stabilization. In some cases, retaining wall installations may qualify for favorable insurance treatment compared to unprotected slopes.

Cost Savings Compared to Ongoing Repairs

Maintenance costs will be minimized compared to ongoing repairs to damaged landscaping, hardscaping, or structural damage from the continuous movement of slopes over an extended period of time. We retain warranties on all retaining wall installations to protect your initial investment and ensure continued performance.

Flexibility to Adapt to Future Needs

Retaining wall systems can provide the framework for future landscaping or property development opportunities. A well-designed retaining wall system will provide the basis for future enhancements to a homeowner’s property.

Kent’s sloped properties create both challenges and opportunities for retaining wall installations that will enhance property value and functionality. Professional design and construction of retaining walls will provide the best possible results for homeowners dealing with difficult terrain in the Pacific Northwest’s dynamic landscape.