Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Retaining Walls That Work

Retaining walls serve critical functions on sloped properties. They hold back soil to create level areas for yards, driveways, or buildings. They prevent erosion on hillsides and manage drainage around your property. A properly built retaining wall lasts for decades while transforming unusable slopes into functional space.

We build retaining walls and concrete masonry in Hemet for residential and commercial properties dealing with grade changes. Our walls are engineered for structural integrity, not just stacked blocks that look good initially but fail within a few years. We understand soil pressure, drainage requirements, and reinforcement needs that ensure your wall performs its job safely and permanently.

Types of Retaining Walls

• •Concrete Block Walls: Interlocking masonry units that create strong, attractive walls
• •Poured Concrete Walls: Solid reinforced concrete for maximum strength on challenging sites
• •Decorative Stone Walls: Natural stone facing over concrete structure for upscale appearance
• •Garden Walls: Lower walls for planting beds and landscape features
• •Structural Walls: Engineered walls for large height differences or heavy loads

The right type depends on wall height, soil conditions, appearance preferences, and budget. Short walls under 3 feet are relatively straightforward. Taller walls require engineering and more substantial construction. We evaluate your site and needs to recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective solution.

Why Proper Construction Matters

Retaining wall failures are expensive and dangerous. Walls that lean, crack, or collapse damage landscaping, structures, and pose safety hazards. These failures usually stem from inadequate design, poor drainage, or shortcuts during construction. Building retaining walls correctly from the start prevents these problems.

Understanding Soil Pressure

Soil behind a retaining wall creates constant pressure trying to push the wall over. This pressure increases with wall height and varies with soil type. Clay soils create more pressure than sandy soils. Wet soil weighs more and pushes harder than dry soil. The wall must be strong enough to resist these forces without moving or failing.

Proper design accounts for expected soil pressure through adequate wall thickness, reinforcement, and foundation depth. Walls over certain heights need engineering calculations to ensure safety. We do not guess or use rules of thumb on structural walls. The engineering ensures your wall will stand up to the forces acting on it.

Drainage Is Critical

Water buildup behind retaining walls causes most failures. Water increases soil weight and pressure dramatically. Freezing water expands and creates even more force. Every retaining wall needs proper drainage to relieve water pressure and prevent saturation.

We install drainage systems including gravel backfill, perforated drain pipes, and weep holes that allow water to escape. Surface drainage diverts water away from the top of the wall. These drainage components are not optional extras but essential elements that ensure wall longevity. Skipping drainage to save money guarantees problems within a few years.

Foundation and Base Preparation

Retaining walls need solid foundations to prevent settling and tilting. We excavate below frost depth and poor soil, then pour concrete footings or prepare compacted base depending on wall type. The foundation must be level and stable. Trying to build retaining walls on unprepared ground leads to uneven settling and structural failure. Proper base work takes time and costs money, but it makes the difference between walls that last decades and walls that fail quickly.

Our Construction Process

Building retaining walls requires planning, precision, and proven techniques. We follow a systematic process that produces walls built to perform and last.

Site Evaluation and Design

Every project starts with understanding your site and goals. We measure the slope, assess soil conditions, and discuss what you want to accomplish. Wall height, length, and location get determined based on your needs and property constraints. For walls requiring engineering, we coordinate with structural engineers who design the wall and prepare stamped plans for permits.

Excavation and Foundation

We excavate to proper depth for footings and create a level base. Concrete footings get poured for most walls, with thickness and reinforcement matching engineering specifications. The footing cures before we start building the wall itself. This foundation provides the stable platform everything else depends on.

Wall Construction

Construction methods vary by wall type. Block walls are built course by course with reinforcement and concrete fill in cores. Poured walls use forms, rebar, and concrete placed all at once. We maintain level and plumb constantly to ensure straight, true walls. As we build upward, we install drainage systems and prepare for backfill.

Drainage and Backfill

Behind the finished wall, we place drain pipes at the base and backfill with free-draining gravel. This gravel layer allows water to flow down to the drain pipe rather than building pressure against the wall. We compact backfill in layers to prevent settling. Surface grading directs water away from the wall top. These drainage details protect your investment and ensure the wall performs as designed.

Finishing Touches

After construction completes, we clean up the site and restore landscaping where possible. Wall caps get installed for finished appearance and weather protection. We review care and maintenance recommendations with you. The result is a functional, attractive retaining wall that solves your slope challenges and adds value to your property. We also provide patio installation and foundation work for complete outdoor projects.

Frequently Asked Questions