Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Build strong, attractive walls that hold back soil, create usable space, and add character to your property.
(209) 592-1205
When Your Property Needs a Retaining Wall
Sloped properties come with challenges. Rain washes soil downhill. Steep yards are hard to use and maintain. Erosion threatens foundations, driveways, and landscaping. If your property has significant slope, you've probably dealt with these problems.
Retaining walls solve these issues by holding soil in place and creating level areas you can actually use. A well-built retaining wall turns unusable hillside into flat yard space for gardens, patios, or play areas. It protects your home's foundation from soil pressure and water damage. And it stops erosion that would otherwise wash away your landscaping.
Here in Los Banos, CA, many properties have some slope that could benefit from retaining walls. When you invest in quality retaining wall construction, you're adding usable space and protecting your property at the same time.
Types of Retaining Walls and Masonry Work
We build several types of concrete walls and masonry structures. Here's what we offer:
Our Wall Services
- •Concrete block walls: Traditional CMU (concrete masonry unit) construction. Strong, durable, and cost-effective. Can be left natural, painted, or stuccoed.
- •Poured concrete walls: Monolithic concrete walls for maximum strength. Common for taller walls or walls supporting heavy loads.
- •Decorative block walls: Split-face block, textured units, or colored block for attractive finishes.
- •Garden walls: Lower walls for landscaping definition and terracing.
- •Privacy walls: Taller walls for screening and security.
- •Property line walls: Walls along boundaries between properties.
- •Planter walls: Low walls that define raised planting beds.
The right choice depends on wall height, soil conditions, appearance preferences, and budget. We'll evaluate your site and recommend the best approach. If you're also planning patio work or walkways, we can coordinate everything together.
Why Engineering and Drainage Matter
Retaining walls look simple, but they're actually complex structures. They have to resist tremendous pressure from soil and water behind them. A poorly built retaining wall can crack, tilt, or even collapse. This is serious stuff.
Walls over 4 feet tall typically require engineered plans and permits. Even shorter walls benefit from proper design. We work with structural engineers when needed to ensure your wall is designed correctly for your specific soil and load conditions.
Critical Elements for Success
- •Proper footing: The foundation must be below frost line and on solid, undisturbed soil.
- •Adequate reinforcement: Rebar in the right locations provides tensile strength concrete lacks.
- •Drainage system: Water pressure is a wall's worst enemy. We install gravel backfill and weep holes to relieve water pressure.
- •Proper backfill: We use free-draining gravel behind the wall, not heavy clay soil.
- •Geogrid reinforcement: For taller walls, we install geogrid fabric that extends back into the soil for added strength.
We don't cut corners on retaining walls. The work is hidden underground and behind the wall, but that's where the real engineering happens. We do it right so your wall lasts for decades.
How We Build Walls That Last
Building a retaining wall is a multi-step process that takes time and careful attention to detail. Here's what's involved:
Our Construction Process
- •Site evaluation: We examine soil conditions, measure the slope, and identify any drainage issues.
- •Engineering (if needed): For tall walls, we work with structural engineers to create proper plans.
- •Permits: We handle permit applications and inspections as required.
- •Excavation: We dig the footing trench and grade the area behind where the wall will go.
- •Footing installation: We pour a concrete footing below frost line with proper reinforcement.
- •Wall construction: We build the wall course by course, placing rebar and filling cells with concrete.
- •Drainage installation: We install weep holes, drainage pipe, and gravel backfill.
- •Backfilling: We carefully backfill behind the wall in lifts, compacting as we go.
- •Finish work: We cap the wall, apply finish coatings if specified, and grade for final drainage.
Depending on size and complexity, a retaining wall project can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline upfront.
Ready to solve your slope and erosion problems?
(209) 592-1205Common Questions About Retaining Walls
Let's Design Your Retaining Wall Solution
Call us for a free site evaluation. We'll assess your slope, discuss options, and provide a detailed proposal.
(209) 592-1205