Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Why You Need a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls serve two main purposes. They hold back soil on sloped properties to prevent erosion and sliding. And they create level spaces where you can build patios, install landscaping, or simply use your yard more effectively. Without proper retaining walls, slopes wash away during heavy rain, damage foundations, and limit how you can use your property.

Many Haltom properties have elevation changes that need management. Maybe your yard slopes toward your house creating drainage problems. Maybe you want to add a flat patio area but your backyard is all hillside. Or perhaps you are dealing with erosion that gets worse every rain. A properly designed and built retaining wall solves these problems while adding structure and beauty to your landscape.

Types of Retaining Walls

We install several types of retaining walls depending on your needs, budget, and site conditions:

• Concrete block walls using interlocking modular blocks in various styles
• Poured concrete walls for maximum strength and custom designs
• Stone veneer walls combining concrete structure with natural stone facing
• Boulder walls using large natural stones for a rugged look
• Tiered wall systems that handle major elevation changes in steps

Each type has advantages. Concrete block walls install faster and cost less than poured concrete but still provide excellent strength. Poured walls offer more design flexibility and work better for curves or custom shapes. We recommend the wall type that best fits your specific situation, working with the same quality standards we bring to all our concrete work in Haltom.

Retaining Wall Engineering

Retaining walls are not just stacked blocks or poured concrete. They require engineering to handle the tremendous pressure soil exerts behind them. Water-saturated soil weighs even more and creates hydrostatic pressure that can push walls over. Proper design accounts for soil type, wall height, slope angle, drainage, and load requirements.

For walls over 4 feet tall, engineering calculations and sometimes permits are required. Even shorter walls benefit from proper design. We install adequate drainage behind every wall so water does not build up and create pressure. Base preparation provides stable footing. Reinforcement handles tension forces. These engineering principles separate walls that last decades from those that fail in a few years.

Installation Process

Retaining wall installation starts with excavation. We dig a level trench for the base course and remove unstable soil. A compacted gravel base provides proper footing and drainage. The first course must be perfectly level because everything builds on it.

As we build up, we install drainage pipe behind the wall wrapped in filter fabric. We backfill with gravel that lets water drain down to the pipe instead of building pressure. For taller walls, we install tiebacks or geogrids that anchor into the soil behind the wall for extra stability. Each course gets checked for level and proper setback. The techniques we use for retaining walls mirror our approach to foundation work because both require structural integrity and precision.

Maintenance and Longevity

Properly built retaining walls need minimal maintenance. Check drainage outlets periodically to make sure they are not clogged. Watch for any leaning, bulging, or cracking that indicates problems. Keep vegetation trimmed away from the wall so roots do not cause damage. Reseal concrete or masonry every few years to protect against moisture.

A well-engineered and installed retaining wall should last 30 to 50 years or more. Problems usually come from poor drainage, inadequate base, or structural issues. If you notice your wall showing signs of failure, call us for an evaluation. Early intervention prevents catastrophic failure. We also repair and reinforce existing walls that need help. Whether you need a new wall or want to fix an old one, we provide solutions that actually work.

Frequently Asked Questions