At my last house, I had a short retaining wall around a patio that started to lean out toward the lawn. The little wall was but 10 inches tall, for goodness sake, with no soil pressure against it.

Installing a French drain costs less than building a retaining wall, with an average price tag of $5,000 or so. This type of drain is made up of a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe at ...

In most jurisdictions, retaining walls under 3 or 4 feet do not need to undergo a plan check or permitting. However, since the provisions differ between locations, it's best to find out first.

The gravel will collect water seeping through the soil and funnel the water to the weep holes or drain pipes, reducing pressure on the walls. 5.

A limestone patio, retaining wall and steps up from the lower level (top photo) give the garden “a little formality and structure,” Klausing said. Brook Landscape added new cedar treads and a handrail ...