Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Retaining walls serve critical structural and functional purposes on properties with slopes or grade changes. They hold back soil, prevent erosion, create level areas on sloped land, and protect structures from soil movement. A properly designed retaining wall can transform unusable hillside into functional outdoor space, prevent water damage to your foundation, and stop soil from washing away during heavy rain.

Not all walls are built the same. A poorly constructed retaining wall will lean, crack, or collapse under the pressure of the soil it is supposed to hold. The soil behind a wall creates constant lateral pressure that increases with height and moisture. A well-engineered wall accounts for this pressure, manages water drainage, and uses proper materials and construction techniques to remain stable for decades. This is not DIY work. It requires understanding of engineering principles, soil mechanics, and drainage design.

We specialize in concrete retaining walls and masonry construction that combines structural integrity with aesthetic appeal. Whether you need a small garden wall or a large structural wall for erosion control, we design and build walls that perform their function while enhancing your property's appearance. Our walls are built to local building codes, properly reinforced, and equipped with drainage systems that prevent water buildup and hydrostatic pressure that causes failure.

Different situations call for different wall designs and materials. We build several types of retaining walls and masonry structures, each suited to specific applications and site conditions:

• Poured Concrete Retaining Walls: The strongest and most durable option for walls over 4 feet tall or situations with heavy soil pressure. These walls are formed on site, poured with reinforced concrete, and can be finished with various textures or veneers for appearance.
• Concrete Block Walls: Constructed with interlocking concrete masonry units that create strong, stable walls. These work well for medium-height walls and offer flexibility in design. The blocks can be faced with stone or stucco for a finished appearance.
• Segmental Retaining Walls: Built with manufactured concrete blocks designed specifically for retaining walls. These systems use engineered connections between blocks and often include geogrid reinforcement for taller walls. They offer attractive finishes and are ideal for residential applications.
• Foundation Walls: Structural walls that support buildings and create basement or crawl space areas. These require engineering and must meet strict building code requirements for load-bearing capacity and waterproofing.
• Garden and Landscape Walls: Shorter walls primarily used for aesthetic purposes or to create raised planting beds. While they hold soil, they do not typically require the same engineering as taller retaining walls.
• Commercial and Industrial Walls: Large-scale walls for commercial properties, often requiring engineering, permits, and specialized construction techniques to handle significant loads or heights.

Wall selection depends on height, soil conditions, intended use, appearance preferences, and budget. We evaluate your site and requirements to recommend the best wall type for your specific situation. Our concrete and masonry expertise ensures you get a wall that performs reliably and looks great for decades.

Site Assessment and Engineering

Every retaining wall project starts with evaluating your site conditions. We assess soil type and stability, measure slope and grade changes, identify drainage patterns and water issues, determine the required wall height and length, and check for utility locations and property lines. For walls over 4 feet tall or in challenging soil conditions, we bring in a structural engineer to design the wall properly. This ensures the wall is built to handle the loads it will face and meets all building code requirements.

Foundation and Drainage

A retaining wall is only as good as its foundation. We excavate below the frost line to prevent heaving and settling. A compacted gravel base provides a stable, level foundation that drains well. For poured walls, we install reinforced concrete footings sized for the wall height and load. Behind the wall, we install a drainage system using perforated pipe and gravel backfill. This system removes water from behind the wall, preventing hydrostatic pressure that causes walls to fail. Proper drainage is absolutely critical for wall longevity. Many wall failures occur because water was not managed correctly during construction.

Wall Construction and Finishing

We build the wall according to engineering specifications, using proper reinforcement and construction methods at every stage. For poured walls, forms are set precisely and reinforcing steel is placed before pouring. Block and segmental walls are built level and plumb, with each course properly positioned and secured. Geogrid reinforcement is installed at specified intervals for taller walls. The area behind the wall is backfilled with proper drainage material. After construction, the wall can be finished with various textures, veneers, or coatings to match your preferences. The completed wall provides years of reliable performance while enhancing your property. Similar to our foundation work, we follow strict standards to ensure structural integrity.