If you live around Pittsburgh, there’s a good chance your yard isn’t completely level. Some properties have a slight slope, while others have hillsides that make half the backyard difficult to use.
And then there are the older retaining walls. You see them all over Western Pennsylvania. Some are leaning, some have blocks separating, and others have started to crack or shift after years of rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.
At NLC Landscaping & Design, we work with homeowners throughout the Pittsburgh area who are dealing with these kinds of problems.
One option for building a new retaining wall or replacing an existing one is VERSA-LOK, an interlocking concrete retaining wall system that works well for many sloped properties.
Why Choose a VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall?
VERSA-LOK retaining walls are built using concrete blocks that connect with a pin system rather than traditional mortar.
The blocks are designed to lock together, which helps create a stable wall when they’re installed on a properly prepared base with the right drainage and reinforcement.
Another nice thing about VERSA-LOK is that you’re not limited to a straight wall.
Depending on the layout of your yard, the blocks can be used for curved walls, corners, and tiered designs. That comes in handy around Pittsburgh, where a lot of yards have unusual slopes and elevation changes.
Homeowners typically consider VERSA-LOK retaining walls when they want to:
- Replace an old wall that’s leaning or falling apart
- Hold back soil along a driveway or hillside
- Create a flatter section of backyard
- Help control erosion and soil movement
- Add raised planting areas
- Make a steep yard easier to maintain
A retaining wall can change how much of your property you’re actually able to use, especially when a large section of the yard is currently nothing but a slope.
Pittsburgh Hillsides Can Make Retaining Wall Projects Tricky
Around Pittsburgh, two properties on the same street can have completely different grading and drainage problems.
You might have a backyard in Carnegie that slopes toward the house. A homeowner in Robinson Township might need a wall along a driveway. Someone in Mt. Lebanon could have an older retaining wall that’s starting to push outward.
The solution isn’t necessarily going to be the same for all three.
Before installing a VERSA-LOK retaining wall, it’s important to look at how steep the property is, what’s behind the proposed wall, and where water goes when it rains.
Sometimes a homeowner wants a wall simply to make the yard look better. Other times, the wall is needed to hold back a significant amount of soil.
That difference matters because taller walls or walls supporting additional weight may require engineering and reinforcement.
Don’t Overlook Drainage Behind a VERSA-LOK Wall
Drainage is one of the most important parts of installing a retaining wall, especially in Western Pennsylvania.
We get plenty of rain throughout the year, and winter brings its own problems with freezing and thawing.
If water builds up in the soil behind a retaining wall, it creates additional pressure. Over time, that pressure can cause blocks to move or the wall to lean.
It’s one reason older retaining walls sometimes fail.
When installing a VERSA-LOK wall, the work below and behind the blocks is just as important as the finished wall you see.
Depending on the project, that can mean excavating the area, preparing and compacting the base, using drainage stone and drainpipe, and making sure water has somewhere to go.
Some walls also require geogrid reinforcement extending back into the soil.
You don’t necessarily see any of that when the project is finished, but it makes a big difference in how the wall performs over time.
Replacing an Old Retaining Wall in Pittsburgh
If you have an existing retaining wall that’s leaning, bulging, or separating, it’s worth having someone take a look before the problem gets worse.
A few shifted blocks might not seem like a big deal at first. But if the wall is continuing to move, there’s usually a reason.
It could be poor drainage, an inadequate base, or more pressure behind the wall than it was designed to support.
When replacing an old retaining wall with VERSA-LOK, it’s important to look at what caused the original wall to fail.
Otherwise, you’re spending money on a new wall without necessarily fixing the problem.
In some cases, the replacement can follow roughly the same layout. Other properties may benefit from changing the wall’s position, height, or design.
That’s something NLC Landscaping & Design can discuss with homeowners after evaluating the site.
Can VERSA-LOK Help Make a Sloped Backyard More Usable?
In many cases, yes. It depends on how steep the yard is and how much space you’re trying to create.
Around Pittsburgh, it’s not unusual to see a backyard with plenty of space that’s difficult to use because most of it sits on a hillside.
A VERSA-LOK retaining wall can help create a more level area by holding back soil where the grade changes.
That might give you room for a lawn, a garden, or a place to put outdoor furniture.
For steeper yards, a tiered retaining wall design may be worth considering. Instead of one tall wall, the slope is divided into separate levels.
Tiered walls still need to be designed carefully because the walls can affect one another, especially when they’re close together.
Not every backyard needs a large retaining wall project, either. Sometimes a smaller wall is enough to make a noticeable improvement.
How Much Does a VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Cost in Pittsburgh?
There’s no single price that works for every retaining wall.
A short wall in an easily accessible backyard is a different project from a tall retaining wall on a steep hillside where equipment access is limited.
The cost depends on the wall’s length and height, excavation, drainage, materials, reinforcement, and how much work is needed to prepare the site.
If an old retaining wall needs to be removed first, that also factors into the estimate.
At NLC Landscaping & Design, we’d rather look at your property and give you a quote based on what actually needs to be done than throw out a number that may not apply to your yard.
VERSA-LOK Retaining Wall Installation in Pittsburgh, PA
NLC Landscaping & Design is based in Carnegie, PA, and provides retaining wall and landscaping services throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.
If you’re thinking about replacing an old retaining wall or installing a new VERSA-LOK wall, give us a call. We can take a look at your property, discuss your options, and provide a free estimate.
NLC Landscaping & Design
Phone: 412-251-7864
Website: https://nlclandscaping.net/
