Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Functional, attractive walls that hold back soil and create usable space on your property.
Walls That Work
Retaining walls do real work on your property. They hold back soil on slopes, create level areas for patios or lawns, prevent erosion, and manage drainage. When done right, they also look great and add character to your landscape.
But retaining walls are under constant pressure from the soil behind them. Poor design or construction leads to leaning, cracking, or outright failure. You need walls built to handle the forces acting on them, not just walls that look good on installation day.
We've been building retaining walls in Murrieta since 2024. We understand soil mechanics, drainage requirements, and proper construction methods. Whether you need a small garden wall or a large structural retaining wall, we build walls that stay straight, strong, and functional for decades.
Types of Retaining Walls We Build
Different situations call for different wall types. Here are the main options:
- •Poured concrete walls: These are solid concrete walls formed and poured on site. They're extremely strong and work for both tall walls and walls retaining significant soil loads. Good for modern, clean-lined looks.
- •Concrete block walls: Built from individual concrete masonry units (CMUs), these walls are versatile and cost-effective. They can be left natural, painted, or veneered with other materials.
- •Segmental retaining walls: These use interlocking concrete blocks specifically designed for retaining walls. They're popular for their appearance options and relatively easy installation. Good for garden walls and landscaping features.
- •Natural stone walls: Built from natural stone set in mortar. These have a timeless, upscale appearance but cost more and take longer to install than other options.
- •Decorative concrete walls: Walls with textured finishes, integral color, or other decorative treatments. These combine the strength of concrete with improved aesthetics.
The right wall type depends on height, soil conditions, appearance preferences, and budget. Walls over 4 feet tall typically need engineering and permits. We'll recommend the best option for your specific situation.
Engineering a Stable Retaining Wall
Retaining walls need to resist enormous pressure from soil, water, and gravity. Several factors determine whether a wall stays put or fails:
Proper foundation: The wall needs a solid base below the frost line and on undisturbed soil. The foundation spreads the load and prevents settling. Foundation requirements increase with wall height. Similar foundation principles apply to our foundation installations.
Adequate drainage: Water buildup behind retaining walls creates hydrostatic pressure that can push walls over. Proper drainage systems relieve this pressure. We install drain pipes, weep holes, and gravel backfill to manage water.
Reinforcement: Tall walls need steel reinforcement to resist bending and cracking. This includes both vertical and horizontal rebar properly tied and positioned.
Proper setback and batter: Most retaining walls lean slightly into the soil they're retaining. This angle, called batter, helps resist overturning forces.
Soil considerations: The type of soil being retained affects wall design. Clay soils expand when wet and create more pressure. Sandy soils drain better but may need different backfill strategies.
Our Wall Building Process
Here's how we build retaining walls that last:
Site evaluation: We visit your property to assess the slope, soil conditions, and drainage. We discuss your goals and any special requirements. For tall walls, a geotechnical engineer might be needed to evaluate soil stability.
Design and engineering: We create a wall design that handles the soil loads and meets building code requirements. Walls over certain heights need engineered plans and permits.
Excavation and base preparation: We dig the foundation trench to the proper depth and width. The base is leveled and compacted to provide stable support.
Foundation installation: We pour a concrete footing that extends below frost line and spreads the wall load over adequate area. The footing is reinforced as needed.
Wall construction: We build the wall using the chosen materials, installing reinforcement and drainage systems as we go. Everything is checked for level, plumb, and proper alignment.
Backfilling and drainage: We install drainage pipes and backfill with free-draining gravel behind the wall. This prevents water buildup that could damage the wall. Proper backfilling technique prevents damaging the wall during this critical step. Similar drainage principles are used for our driveway projects.
Wall projects typically take several days to a week or more, depending on size and complexity. Concrete needs curing time before backfilling, and proper drainage installation takes time to do right.
Retaining Wall Questions
Need a Retaining Wall?
We'll evaluate your property and recommend the right wall solution for your needs.