Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Why You Need a Properly Built Retaining Wall

Retaining walls do more than just look nice. They hold back soil, prevent erosion, create usable flat areas on sloped properties, and protect your home from water damage. But a poorly built retaining wall can fail, causing expensive damage and dangerous situations. That is why proper design and construction are so important.

In Delano, we see properties with all kinds of slope challenges. Maybe your backyard slopes away from your house and you want to create a level patio area. Or you have erosion problems where soil washes away during rain. Perhaps you need to build up a planting bed or create terraced garden areas. A well-built retaining wall solves these problems while adding visual appeal to your landscape.

When you work with experienced masonry contractors, you get walls that handle the soil pressure, drain properly, and stay strong for decades. We understand the engineering principles behind retaining walls and build them to perform correctly from day one.

Retaining Wall and Masonry Services

We build all types of retaining walls and concrete masonry structures. From small garden walls to large structural retaining walls, we have the expertise and equipment to handle your project.

• Segmental block retaining walls in various colors and textures
• Poured concrete retaining walls for maximum strength
• Decorative masonry walls and seat walls
• Garden walls and raised planting beds
• Terraced retaining wall systems for steep slopes
• Concrete block and CMU structures

We also build matching hardscape features like pillars, outdoor fireplaces, and architectural accents using concrete masonry. These elements tie your outdoor spaces together and create a cohesive look. If you are planning a complete outdoor renovation, ask about combining retaining walls with our patio installation services.

How We Build Retaining Walls That Last

Every retaining wall project starts with site evaluation. We look at the slope, soil type, drainage patterns, and how much soil the wall needs to hold back. Walls over a certain height require engineering, and we work with structural engineers when needed to ensure your wall is designed correctly.

Next, we excavate and prepare a proper base. The foundation is crucial for retaining wall stability. We dig below grade, add compacted gravel, and create a level base for the first course of block or the concrete footing. Poor base preparation is the number one reason retaining walls fail, so we never skip this step.

As we build the wall, we install proper drainage behind it. Water pressure from saturated soil can push walls over if there is no way for water to escape. We add drainage pipe, gravel backfill, and weep holes so water flows away instead of building up pressure. We also backfill carefully and compact in layers to avoid settlement. The same attention to detail that goes into our foundation work applies to every retaining wall we build.

Retaining Wall Questions Answered