Asheville Landscaping: Custom Retaining Walls and Flowers

Here is a beautiful view of some custom dry stacked retaining walls we built in Asheville, NC. Spring Tulips and a statue of Saint Francis with the walls in the background. We love building dry stone retaining walls! Call us for a free estimate. 

Jacob

828-301-8017

livingwaterslandscaping.com

Asheville Landscaping; Dry Stacked Retaining Walls

When considering a retaining wall on your property the first question you should ask yourself is what type of material do I want to use for this project. There are many options including wood, concrete and stone. 
Wood walls tend to be cheaper than concrete or stone walls. However their life span is drastically shorter.
A concrete wall is very durable and will last for decades, if done correctly. However, if there is an issue with a concrete wall and it cracks or separates, the wall will need to be removed and rebuilt. I have worked and still work with all types of retaining wall materials. Yet I will usually recommend a dry stacked stone wall as the first option for my clients. Dry stack walling is an ancient craft, possibly the first form of soil retention. When built correctly, it can withstand centuries of weather. Dry stacked stone walls have got a bad reputation in many areas, mainly due to improper construction. 

A true dry stacked wall is constructed using stone of various sizes tightly fit on the face of the wall. Theses stones are backfilled with similar sized stones and gravel to create a structural and free draining area behind the wall. Most failed walls, like this project I am featuring today, are backfilled with only native soils. This creates a devastating amount of hydrostatic pressure behind the wall that causes walls to fail. 
Our clients for this project contacted us with concerns regarding the dry stacked walls they had installed by a local builder no more than 5 years ago. They had a series of walls built in their front yard that were beginning to collapse and wanted to have all the walls built correctly before there was a major problem. We took on the job and have reworked the area giving them new walls and added a pondless waterfall as a bonus feature.

Here you can see the structural backfill we installed when we were fixing the failed walls.

Adding large, tightly fit stone to the backfill, with some gravel and filter fabric behind, will allow any surface or sub-surface water behind the wall to drain freely without any pressure on the face stones. 

We were able to reuse some of the existing stone from the old walls for this project. However, most of the original stone was rather round and not good for stacking a wall.

So we had to import approx. 10 tons of stone from a local quarry to complete this project.

  The picture to the right shows the old failing wall on the top. The lower wall in the new construction using proper backfill and structural stone

We were also able to create some fun features in the new walls, including a stone bench and some inlays that gave this wall character.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or if you would like a free consultation for your project in the Asheville area.

Jacob

Living Waters Landscaping

828-301-8017

Asheville Landscaping: Landscape Design

Family Friendly Landscaping

When we are designing a landscape for our clients we always consider the wants and needs of the whole family. We try to design features and gardens that will allow our clients to relax and have a peaceful place for their families. The pondless waterfall, pictured above, was designed for our clients in Asheville, NC as a place for the kids, friends and dogs to gather and enjoy the garden together. This is the first priority in all our design ideas. Allowing a space for community and gathering together.

The pondless waterfall offers a peace of mind for our clients because it is low maintenance and easy to enjoy.

Let us know if you would like a free consultation of your yard, garden or commercial space.

Jacob

Living Waters Landscaping

828-301-8017

Asheville Landscaping: Pondless waterfall

Asheville pondless waterfall

Just finishing construction of this waterfall in Asheville. Landscaping and a flagstone patio will be installed next! 

Asheville pondless waterfall construction

Dry Stacked Stone Stairs Asheville

Every landscape contractor
needs a good helper to test out the
 new stone stairs you built!

Pond Maintenance Asheville

Spring is almost here in Asheville, Nc.
It's a great time to consider getting your pond or water feature cleaned out and ready for the warmer weather. In the winter, you pond will go dormant. Fish sleep and the active bacteria that helps keep your pond clean is less active. Aquatic plants are also dormant in cold weather.
Living waters landscaping offers a full service spring start ups for your pond and waterfall.
A typical spring start up includes:
-Detailed cleaning and leaf removal
-Filter, pump and skimmer box cleaning
-A professional check of the system for leaks and other potential problems
-Introduction of seasonal beneficial bacteria
-A smile and a good attitude while we work!

We offer one time, monthly and seasonal maintenance to fit the needs of your pond. We are highly knowledgeable in all types of water feature systems
Including:
-Koi ponds
-Pondless waterfalls
-Fountains
-Natural swimming ponds
-Traditional garden ponds

We can offer advice on additional filtration for your system as well as options to make your pond more energy efficient.

Call Jacob today for a free estimate.

828-301-8017