Whether you’re planning a retaining wall, stone patios, stone driveways, or natural stone edging, there are some common hardscaping mistakes that can often be easily avoided with a little knowledge and planning.
Proper Planning to avoid hardscaping mistakes
The importance of planning in the hardscaping process cannot be understated. Proper planning can ensure that your hardscape experiences as little problems as possible in the future, and maximizes the investment you are making in your yard. Begin with familiarizing yourself with local building codes and talking to utility companies. Some hardscaping projects, most often projects involving taller walls, may require a special permit. If you’re not sure where to start with this process, Hackmann Lawn can help!
It’s no secret that hardscaping materials are heavy and will compact the soil over time. This is why during the installation of hardscaping materials, the soil is compacted. Different soils have different properties so it is important to identify what soil types are in your yard during the planning stage. Granular soils, for example, allow for good water drainage. Clay soils stick together and place pressure on hardscaping projects, which is particularly important for retaining walls. Organic soils also stick together, and should only be used for planting areas. If the soil in your yard is unsuitable for your hardscaping project, you should bring in new soil to ensure the structural integrity and longevity of your project.
Water Management
Water management is an incredibly important aspect of planning out your hardscaping project. Properly managing water starts with creating a drainage plan. This is best done with a professional who can identify water sources, measure slopes properly, and design your landscape with the proper drainage in mind. Without proper water management and a good drainage plan, water can erode the base of your hardscape and cause it to sink. Poor water management is one of the top reasons for hardscaping project failure.
DIY Solutions
Do it yourself solutions have become more and more common as a way of saving money and being creative while you upgrade your yard. DIY solutions can be tricky. As someone that isn’t a landscape professional, you run the risk of ending up with a job you aren’t quite satisfied with, or worse, making the situation worse. With hardscaping, this can be particularly devastating, since DIY solutions can end up being uneven, ugly, or even dangerous tripping hazards. These mistakes can end up being very costly in terms of money, time, and effort. Hiring a professional to do your hardscaping will save money in equipment purchases/rentals and cost of materials – not to mention a great deal of patience.
Ignoring Hardscaping Issues
By far the most common, and sometimes the hardest, mistake to avoid when it comes to hardscaping is ignoring hardscaping problems. If there’s a crack in your hardscape, it will spread. If you notice a sunken or uneven part in your hardscape, it will get worse. If weeds or moss start to grow in the joints between pavers or in your decorative gravel, they will continue to grow if left untreated. Ensuring that these issues are taken care of as soon as possible is essential to ensuring that you can use and enjoy your beautiful hardscaping for years to come.
If you notice a problem with your hardscaping don’t hesitate to give us a call at (636)688-6647, we’d love to help with any hardscaping issues you may have.