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Retaining walls are a regular part of landscaping used to support the soil and prevent erosion in sloping ground. You can convert an unsuitable slope to a usable tiered garden or a level area on which to place a patio. When landscaping, a consideration in the thoughts of many homeowners is whether or not to include a concrete footing. The answer is not a simple yes or no; it is a question of a number of important considerations, and we can help you make informed decisions at Bill’s Custom Concrete. 

The Significance of a Strong Foundation 

A retaining wall will need to be strong enough to support immense pressure from the soil behind it, pressure that is increased by water and elevation. A footing is part of the foundation of the wall, spreading its load to a larger surface area so it won’t shift, settle, or collapse. 

For most retaining walls, and particularly for high retaining walls, a solid footing for a concrete wall is not just the way to go – it’s required for permanent stability and security. A wall with a defective base is far more likely to collapse, leading to expensive repairs and possibly harm to your property.

Determinants of the Need for a Footing 

There are various considerations that decide whether you require a concrete footing for a retaining wall construction.

Wall Height 

The crucial factor involved here is the height of the wall. A small ornamental garden wall less than two feet high won’t need a deep concrete footing. Walls three or four feet or higher, though, are retaining a lot of ground and absolutely need to be supported by a solidly constructed, engineered foundation to keep on standing. Wondering, do I need a concrete footing for a retaining wall​? If your wall is tall, the answer is likely yes.

Soil Conditions 

The type of soil on the ground is significant. Loose/soft clays or sand soils do not hold and settle readily. In this case, you will have to place a footing for a concrete wall to create a solid base. Solid bedrock or dense draining soil is solid enough to hold a small-sized wall without a concrete foundation.

Water and Drainage 

Water is the worst nemesis of the retaining wall. Lack of drainage will result in hydrostatic pressure on the back face of the wall that will exert effect upon it. Areas or sites of increased water tables or rainfalls need a deep foundation, usually a footing made of concrete, to support this thrust and maintain the position of the wall. Knowing the proper retaining wall footing depth is essential for tackling water issues effectively.

Local Building Codes 

Check local building ordinances before building. Every city will have a list of ordinances that will pertain to retaining walls, and it will typically consist of engineered drawings and concrete footings on walls four to three feet and above. If these requirements are not satisfied, there will be fines and the removal and reconstruction of the wall accordingly.

Alternatives to Concrete Footings 

Although a concrete retaining wall in Oklahoma City is a popular option for larger walls, there exist additional materials that are applied on small walls that blend into the surroundings.

Compacted Gravel Base 

For low walls, a solidly compacted base course of gravel will generally suffice. This involves excavating the hole to the appropriate depth and bedding it down with a layer or two of crushed stone a few inches thick, and compaction down to a solid level base. This provides ideal drainage, again holding down pressure behind the wall to a minimum.

Geo-Grid Reinforcement 

Geo-grid is a stabilizing man-made reinforcement grid that underlies the earth stabilizing behind the wall, reinforced even more. It is spread out in courses between courses of wall blocks and down into the ground. 

Although typically spread on a gravel base, it provides excellent added reinforcement and can replace a large concrete footing on select projects. Want to know how to build a concrete footing for a retaining wall​? Start by ensuring the foundation is properly prepared with gravel and reinforcement like geo-grid.

How to Construct a Long-Lasting Wall 

Whether to put a concrete footing on the retaining wall or not will be based on the height of the wall, the type of ground, the problem of drainage, and local building ordinances. Although low walls used just to decorate may be supported when a properly compacted gravel base is used, larger and taller walls basically always should come with a concrete footing to be stable and long-lasting. Contact Bill’s Custom Concrete for tailored advice for your project! 

A well-maintained sidewalk keeps your property aesthetic and safe. However, its concrete surface may deteriorate over time. With a few simple steps, it is easy to repair your concrete sidewalks in Oklahoma City. Check the damage level and implement the best method for fixing it. Minor holes are repairable with your DIY approaches. But, for significant issues, you may need to resurface the concrete. 

You can now find a brief guide on how to repair concrete sidewalk.

What to Do to Repair Sidewalk Cracks

Gather the essential materials and tools for your DIY sidewalk repair project.

• Concrete Caulk – Use a flexible caulk to seal cracks. Hybrid polyurethane caulks are the best choice for their UV tolerance and moisture resistance.
• Caulk Gun – This is an innovative tool that allows you to distribute caulk evenly. But, you have to choose an appropriate caulk gun size.
• A Spray Bottle – This helps you spray the caulk with a soapy solution.
• Pressure Cleaner and Grinder – Before starting the concrete sidewalk repair process, clean out the cracks with the pressure washer. A grinder is essential to deal with narrow cracks.
• Dry Sand – Its color should match the concrete’s color to maintain aesthetics.

Steps for DIY Concrete Sidewalk Repair

Go through a few steps to repair your damaged sidewalks:

Prepare the Surface and Clean Cracks

You have to remove dirt and debris from the cracks with a grinder or pressure washer. This is the most important step for the sidewalk crack repair project. Before proceeding to the next step, let your sidewalk dry. The sidewalk slabs also need to be leveled to ensure better results. 

Consider Installing a Backer Rod

If your sidewalk cracks are wider and deeper, use a backer rod for the repair project. Press the rod into the big crack, which is below the surface. Use sand to fill the cracks. Tap the concrete and spread the sand evenly.

Apply the Sidewalk Caulk

Cut the caulk tube’s tip at an angle and apply caulk along the sidewalk crack. Some people use self-leveling caulk for the concrete cracks and holes. The caulk should not go outside the crack.

You may also add dry sand that matches your sidewalk texture and color.

Seal the Concrete Surface

Allow the caulk to cure, and then apply a concrete seal over the surface. This will protect your sidewalk from weather damage and water penetration.

Maintain Your Sidewalk for a Lasting Result

Once you have repaired the sidewalk, it needs regular maintenance to prolong its lifespan. Every so often, you should inspect the surface to find new damage and new cracks. Address minor cracks with a sealant and prevent water infiltration. Ensure your sealant can withstand weather elements and foot traffic.

Conclusion

Many people try to fix broken concrete sidewalk with DIY tools. But, if you find it challenging to restore the sidewalk, look for professionals. You may need an expert’s assistance, especially for complex repair and sidewalk slab replacement. Maintain the sidewalk regularly and protect it from further issues.

Water from an adjacent property that runs onto yours is damaging to foundation, landscaping, and outdoor living areas. Thankfully, this situation can easily be managed while one retains a good relationship with neighbors along with one’s defense of their property investment. Neighbor water drainage solutions can help resolve these conflicts effectively.

Water Drainage Problems: Understanding the Issue 

First in resolving a flow problem is determining exactly what is occurring and why. The natural flow of water is down a path of least resistance, yet humans’ alterations with new construction, landscape changes, or errors in grading can make water flow onto a neighbor’s property. 

Walk along your property line both before a heavy rainstorm and afterward to see how water is moving. Note where water is coming onto your yard, how much volume you’re working with, and what kind of damage it’s doing. Pooling water, erosion, soft spots that never seem to harden, or water inside your basement or crawl space are common signs. 

Keep a record with photographs and videography with time stamps and weather conditions. This record will be helpful if you’re bringing up the matter with your neighbor or if you’re involving authorities in the future. 

Legal Considerations for Water Drainage Rights 

Drainage laws for properties vary immensely from place to place, but most jurisdictions adhere to “natural flow” laws or “reasonable use” laws. In natural flow laws, property owners will never be allowed to make any changes to neighbors’ flow patterns. In reasonable use laws, changes become permitted if they do not unreasonably harm neighbors’ properties. 

Obtain a listing from your municipal building office of permits that must be obtained and laws for draining. There will usually be municipal codes for stormwater redirection that mandate permits for draining changes. There may also be a neighbor mediation service available in some areas. 

Knowing what you’re legally entitled to enables you to address the issue confidently and enables any solutions that you pursue to be legally enforceable long-term. If you’re wondering how to block water drainage from a neighbor’s yard, knowing local codes and rights is essential. 

First Steps: Communication and Documenting 

Prior to seeking action from an authority, attempt to address personally with your neighbor. Perhaps they don’t grasp that changes they made to their property created a nuisance, and most drain disputes can be corrected with neighborly discussion. 

Present documentation in a clear fashion and suggest mutually-focused solutions. You may be able to divide the cost of installing effective drains, or they may re-do their landscaping so they will be able to direct water more effectively. Create written records of all discussions, dates included, along with topics discussed and agreed upon. 

If that isn’t effective, prepare a certified letter stating the problem with a request for action promptly. This creates a formal record that a good faith effort was made toward resolving matters amicably. 

Professional Remedies: When a Specialist Should Be Chosen 

When neighbor communication fails or the drainage problem is complex, professional intervention becomes necessary. A drainage contractor or civil engineer can assess the situation and recommend solutions like French drains, retaining walls, or regrading. 

Good solutions for draining effectively consist of installing catch basins near property lines, installing swales to rotate water flow orientations, or installing permeable barriers that slow water flow. The most effective solution will be based on your terrain, ground conditions, and area permits. 

If your neighbor is uncooperative and nothing gets done despite that, you might need to escalate the issue with your homeowner’s insurance or a property lawyer. A majority of policies provide protection for damages from external forces for water damages, and litigation might be needed for recurrent damaging issues with a drain.

All in all, considering yard drainage services in OKC could be an effective way to resolve these issues with professional help. 

Securing Your Property and Relationships 

Drain problems don’t necessarily have to become boundary arguments. Learn about rights, take note of details diligently, and talk potential solutions professionally so that you keep what is yours without being a troublesome neighbor. 

Start with documentation and notification, escalate to professional repairs if needed, and never forget that investment in proper draining pays off for saving your property value in the long term. The idea is acting early when water damage isn’t critical and expensive to repair.

A concrete patio offers a durable surface for outdoor areas. However, as it has a porous surface, it attracts grime and dirt over time. It may also show discoloration signs if you don’t treat the surface properly. So, which is the best way to clean a concrete patio? Find a brief maintenance guide below and restore your patio’s original look.

Remove Furniture From the Patio

Remove outdoor furniture from your concrete patio. Planters and other items should also be away from the work area. While cleaning the concrete surface, exposure of metal furniture to moisture will cause rust. So, you should relocate them to a different place. 

Sweep the Loose Dirt Away

Using a broom, you can dislodge loose debris from your concrete patio. This step will make the cleaning task easier. You can reach stubborn stains and clean the concrete surface.

To remove dried mulch and compact dirt, use an abrasive sponge.

Treat Stains on Your Concrete Patios

Cleaning a concrete patio is not just about removing dirt from the surface. You can use a pressure washer or a garden hose to remove mildew and water stains. Some people use a solution of water and bleach for stain removal. 

Wear protective gear and scrub the surface with a brush. Then, rinse the surface with clean water. If your concrete patio has grease stains, sprinkle baking soda to remove them. After scrubbing the surface gently, wash the solution away. However, for old and stubborn stains, you need to use a degreaser.

Some people are concerned about rust stains on the concrete surface. Spray white vinegar on the surface and leave it for an hour. Brush the surface and rinse it with water.

Other Substances for Cleaning Your Patio

Muriatic Acid

As muriatic acid has a corrosive nature, it effectively dissolves stains and molds from concrete surfaces. This powerful chemical also removes rust stains from the surface.

However, you must be careful while using the toxic substance for your concrete patio. So, wear protective eye accessories and gloves when using muriatic acid.

It is safe to dilute the acid by mixing water. 10% of the solution should constitute muriatic acid. Thus, spray the solution on your concrete patio and brush it after a few minutes.

You can then add another mixture of water and ammonia to neutralize the acid.

Trisodium Phosphate

Trisodium phosphate is another concrete patio cleaner that needs to be mixed with water. It is best for deep cleaning your concrete surface. It will remove grease and dirt from the concrete patio.  

Direct contact with the eyes may cause irritation. You must use it cautiously while dealing with patio cleaning projects. Use a brush to scrub the chemical onto the stained part.

Summary

Concrete patios in Oklahoma City need regular cleaning to keep the surface dirt-free and stain-free. You can hire professionals to treat the outdoor area efficiently. They will also check if the concrete surface has damage. They repair the issues and clean the surface.