Artistic Landscapes installed these walls
using Anchor Diamond Straight blocks from Pavestone.

Atlanta Retaining Wall Projects

Artistic Landscapes is Atlanta’s experienced retaining wall contractor.  We offer engineered retaining wall structures for walls over four feet high.  We design and install new retaining walls as well as repair and replace existing retaining walls.  We specialize in railroad cross tie replacement, timber wall repairs and replacement. 

Retaining walls are not prevalent in Chicago, Dallas, and Indianapolis, but here in Atlanta, Georgia, they are an important feature of most landscapes.  They help create level areas for hardscapes and plantings, as well as the ability to creatively design gorgeous landscapes with different levels of visual focal points. Stone walls and today’s state of the art natural modular block walls create long lasting and stable walls.  Wood retaining walls rot in the ground and in the long run are a financial mistake. Artistic Landscapes designs and installs the following retaining walls:

o   Stone walls

o   Stack stone walls

o   Modular block walls

o   Block walls

o   Brick walls

Elegant stone walls and designer modular block walls can be used to create landscape focal points.  There are modular block walls available today with a more natural look.  The Belgard Celtik wall is an example, with a blending of colors and different size blocks.  Artistic Landscapes also installs block walls manufactured by Lee, Pavestone and Lafarge (Allen block). The beauty and long life of stone or block walls contribute greatly to the value of the home and the owner's satisfaction.

Artistic Landscapes installed this wall with
Allan Block by La Farge.

Atlanta Retaining Walls for Erosion Control and Terracing.

Heavy rains and runoff from driveways and downspouts can cause erosion.  Often this problem can be fixed with underground piping of downspouts and proper landscaping.  Retaining walls and grading can be use to level areas and redirect water runoff.  A good drainage system behind any retaining wall in areas of runoff is crucial.  Exposed soils that are not grassed or properly mulched will erode during rain events.

Many Atlanta homes have slopes in their front or back yard which can be terraced to provide more usable space and improve the appearance of the landscape.  We frequently level areas for children’s play areas, for example.

Atlanta Retaining Wall Replacement

If you have a cross tie wall or pressure treated timber wall that is in need of repair or replacement, we are very experienced in this area.  We have replaced many cross tie walls that have rotted.  These walls have fallen out of favor because they leak Creosote into the groundwater.  Only a few landfills in the Atlanta area will accept railroad cross ties.  The following excerpt from Wikipedia explains why you don’t want a crosstie retaining wall.

When most people use the term creosote, they are referring to coal tar creosote. Coal tar creosote is the most widely used wood preservative in the United States. It is a thick, oily liquid typically amber to black in color.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), eating food or drinking water contaminated with high levels of coal tar creosote may cause a burning in the mouth and throat, and stomach pains.

ATDSR also states that brief direct contact with large amounts of coal tar creosote may result in a rash or severe irritation of the skin, chemical burns of the surfaces of the eyes, convulsions and mental confusion, kidney or liver problems, unconsciousness, and even death. Longer direct skin contact with low levels of creosote mixtures or their vapors can result in increased light sensitivity, damage to the cornea, and skin damage. Longer exposure to creosote vapors can cause irritation of the respiratory tract.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that coal tar creosote is probably carcinogenic to humans, based on adequate animal evidence and limited human evidence. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated that coal tar creosote is a possible human carcinogen.

We have seen many poorly designed and constructed wood retaining walls.  What initially seemed to be the cheapest retaining wall solution can become the most expensive solution if the wall is not built properly, including adequate drainage and grading to relieve hydrostatic pressure behind the wall.  Depending on the municipality, walls higher than 30” (Cobb County), four feet (Cherokee County) require a building permit and inspections by a licensed engineer.  We specialize in these walls.   Our engineer, SRDI, designs and inspects our walls to insure compliance with local codes.

Artistic Landscapes, Atlanta’s retaining wall contractor, installs various types of Retaining walls, block retaining walls, Atlanta Retaining Walls, Georgia retaining walls, retaining walls Atlanta, Retaining walls Georgia, block retaining walls Atlanta, block retaining walls Georgia and most other types of retaining walls.

Artistic Landscapes installed the retaining walls above and below using Belgard Celtik wall

Retaining Wall Links:

Soil reinforcement design, Inc.:  http://www.soilreinforcement.com/

National Concrete Masonry Association:  www.ncma.org

International Masonry Institute:  www.imiweb.org

Pavestone Company:  www.pavestone.com

Sims Stone:  http://www.simsstone.com/

Belgard Celtik Wall:  www.belgardbiz.com