Understanding Retaining Walls in Ottawa: A Complete Homeowner’s Guide
Retaining walls are more than just decorative landscape features — for homeowners in Ottawa, they’re critical for managing erosion, stabilizing slopes, and protecting your property from water damage. But to get a long-lasting wall that suits your needs (and the local climate), you need to understand design, material, drainage, permitting, cost, and maintenance. This guide will walk you through what every Ottawa homeowner should know when considering a retaining wall. Why Retaining Walls Matter in Ottawa? Ottawa’s climate and topography pose special challenges: · Harsh winters, freeze-thaw cycles, and frost heave can damage walls that are poorly constructed. · Heavy spring snowmelt and summer rainstorms mean lots of water, which must be drained properly to avoid pressure buildup behind walls. · Many properties have sloped backyards or elevation changes that m...