--- title: Retaining Wall FAQ description: Frequently asked questions we get regarding Allan Block retaining walls, including if you should use filter fabric. image: https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/retaining-wall-waterfall-2.webp --- 1 Min Read # Retaining Wall FAQ Feb. 22, 2022 If we haven’t met before allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Back 40 Landscaping and our expertise is in retaining walls and hardscaping. We also like to bring education to those looking for retaining wall solutions. Frequently asked questions about retaining walls  ## **How Far Apart Should Retaining Walls Be If They Are Terraced?** ** **Terraced retaining walls are a series of smaller walls that are often used when you don’t want the look of a large single wall. So, for instance instead of a single 8’ high wall that would look quite daunting. 2 - 4’ high walls are built with a space in between to help soften the look. They are also most commonly used to avoid needing a permit or engineer as most cities allow retaining wall under 4’ to built without any oversight. This space in between should be a minimum of double the lower wall height. In this example because the lower wall is 4’ high, the space in between these 2 walls would be 8’. If the wall is designed by an engineer there may be additional support installed to lessen this distance, but without an engineer its best to stay at least double the height away from the lower wall. ![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/high-end-double-retaining-wall-3.webp?width=500&height=375&name=high-end-double-retaining-wall-3.webp) ## **Should I Use Filter Fabric Vertically Behind My Wall?** Filter fabric behind a wall is not recommended by Allan Block in most cases. The exception would be in a waterfront application where you would use the fabric to control erosion from the waves. Filter fabric behind a normal wall in your yard is not recommended as it doesn’t provide any additional benefits, and in some cases can trap water which will create a weight surcharge behind your wall. ## **Should I Use Filter Fabric Horizontally On Top of My Wall?** Yes, you should use filter fabric at the 2nd row from the top. This helps prevent soil from working its way downwards into the clean free draining gravel behind your wall.   ![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/basic-outdoor-space-landscape-wooden-wall-3.webp?width=500&height=375&name=basic-outdoor-space-landscape-wooden-wall-3.webp) ## **Should I Use Filter Fabric Vertically Behind My Wall?** Filter fabric behind a wall is not recommended by Allan Block in most cases. The exception would be in a waterfront application where you would use the fabric to control erosion from the waves. Filter fabric behind a normal wall in your yard is not recommended as it doesn’t provide any additional benefits, and in some cases can trap water which will create a weight surcharge behind your wall. Tags: [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) ![back 40 landscaping retaining cost guide in abbotsford, bc (1)](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Foundation%20Images/back%2040%20landscaping%20retaining%20cost%20guide%20in%20abbotsford%2c%20bc%20(1).png?width=400&height=400&name=back%2040%20landscaping%20retaining%20cost%20guide%20in%20abbotsford%2c%20bc%20(1).png) ## Planning Your Project? Get the Cost Insights You Need - Accurate price ranges for popular landscaping services - Tips to help you budget effectively and avoid surprises - Features and materials for your project [Access Your Cost Guide double_arrow ](https://back40landscaping.ca/landscaping-retaining-wall-cost-guide) ## Related Articles [![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/retaining-wall-allan-block-fraser-valley6-768x552-1-2.jpg?width=352&name=retaining-wall-allan-block-fraser-valley6-768x552-1-2.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/faq-retaining-wall) ### [Common Retaining Wall Questions](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/faq-retaining-wall) [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) At Back 40 Landscaping our expertise is in building Allan Block retaining walls. We are trained and Certified in building Allan Block retaining walls, and have a passion for... 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[![](https://back40landscaping.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Allan-Block-classic-collectiongeneral-use-840x675-1-4.jpg?width=352&name=Allan-Block-classic-collectiongeneral-use-840x675-1-4.jpg) ](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/replace-old-retaining-wall) ### [Retaining Wall Renovation: What To Do With An Old Retaining Wall In Your New Backyard](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/replace-old-retaining-wall) [Retaining Walls](https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/tag/retaining-walls) When shopping around for a new home there are many things to consider. If being outdoors is important to you, then the front and backyard of homes are going to be something... ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Natasha Maerz", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/author/natasha" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-26T06:53:15.469Z", "datePublished" : "2022-02-23T00:20:55.000Z", "headline" : "Retaining Wall FAQ", "image" : [ "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/retaining-wall-waterfall-2.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/education-center/faq-retaining-wall-2", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/back-40-landscaping-logo-transparent-3.png" }, "name" : "Back 40 Landscaping" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/#back40landscaping", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "CA", "addressLocality" : "Abbotsford", "addressRegion" : "BC", "postalCode" : "V4X 1Y5", "streetAddress" : "30353 Sunset Cres" }, "image" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Logo/test/back-40-landscaping-logo-white-transparent.webp", "logo" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/hubfs/Logo/test/back-40-landscaping-logo-white-transparent.webp", "name" : "Back 40 Landscaping", "openingHoursSpecification" : [ { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "16:30", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Monday" ], "opens" : "08:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "16:30", "dayOfWeek" : [ "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens" : "08:00" }, { "@type" : "OpeningHoursSpecification", "closes" : "12:00", "dayOfWeek" : "Saturday", "opens" : "09:00" } ], "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/back40landscaping.ca/", "https://www.instagram.com/back40landscaping.ca/", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPBamgRYCxNTbnbCN1ehbGA", "https://www.google.com/search?q=back+40+landscaping&oq=back+40+landsca&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j69i57j46i175i199i512j69i61l3.3447j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x5485cb6c3c1abc6f:0x7093e643eeb29c6c,1,,," ], "telephone" : "(778) 808-6961", "url" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Chilliwack" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Abbotsford" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mission" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Langley" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Burnaby" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Maple Ridge" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Port Coquitlam" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Surrey" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "New West Minster" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Walnut Grove" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Crescent Beach" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Mt. Lehman Area (Abbotsford)" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Promontory (Chilliwack)" }, { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "Anmore (Port Moody)" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "Review", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Springman" }, "itemReviewed" : { "@id" : "https://back40landscaping.ca/#back40landscaping" }, "reviewBody" : "Sam and his Back 40 team were amazing to work with on our retaining wall project. Very professional and upfront from the moment he came by to look at our old failing wall, and worked around a few tricky spots and provided an amazing final product. We would use them again in a heartbeat and easily recommend them to anyone looking for quality and efficiency." } ```