Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Why Retaining Walls Matter

If your property has slopes, uneven terrain, or drainage challenges, a well-built retaining wall can solve multiple problems at once. Retaining walls hold back soil, prevent erosion, create usable flat spaces, control water flow, and add visual interest to your landscape. They're both functional and beautiful when designed and built correctly.

Here in Salina, KS, we deal with clay soils that can shift and expand with moisture changes. This makes proper retaining wall design especially important. A wall that's not engineered correctly can fail, causing damage to your property and costing significantly more to fix than building it right the first time.

We design and build retaining walls that work with your property's natural characteristics. That means proper drainage behind the wall, adequate structural support, and construction methods that ensure long-term stability. Whether you need a small garden wall or a large structural wall to support a patio or driveway, we have the expertise to do it right.

Retaining Wall Types and Applications

We build several types of retaining walls, each suited to different situations:

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

These walls use interlocking concrete blocks designed specifically for retaining soil. They're versatile, durable, and available in many colors and textures. Block walls work well for heights up to 4 to 6 feet and can be curved or straight. They're a popular choice for residential landscaping because they combine strength with attractive appearance.

Poured Concrete Walls

For taller walls or situations requiring maximum strength, poured concrete is often the best choice. These walls are built with reinforced concrete and proper footings. They're ideal for supporting driveways, large patios, or where structural engineering is required. Poured walls can be finished with various textures or veneered with stone or brick for appearance.

Concrete Masonry Walls

Concrete masonry units give you the classic look of traditional masonry with the strength of modern concrete. These walls can be built to specific architectural requirements and finished with decorative caps, veneers, or integral colors.

Common Uses for Retaining Walls

• Creating level areas for patios, yards, or gardens on sloped properties
• Preventing soil erosion on hillsides
• Supporting driveways or parking areas
• Defining landscape beds and garden areas
• Managing water drainage and runoff
• Building terraced gardens
• Creating seating walls and outdoor room dividers
• Stabilizing slopes to protect structures

Each application has specific engineering requirements. Walls over a certain height require engineering approval and permits. We'll evaluate your site and recommend the right wall type for your needs and budget.

Professional Design and Construction

Building a retaining wall that lasts requires more than just stacking blocks or pouring concrete. Here's our process:

• 1.
  Site Evaluation: We assess the slope, soil type, drainage patterns, and any load the wall needs to support.
• 2.
  Design and Engineering: We design the wall structure, determine necessary reinforcement, and work with engineers when required for taller walls.
• 3.
  Excavation and Base Preparation: We excavate for the wall and footing, then install a compacted gravel base to create a stable foundation.
• 4.
  Foundation Construction: The first course or footing is critical. We ensure it's level, solid, and properly embedded.
• 5.
  Wall Construction: We build the wall with proper techniques, including setback for stability, reinforcement as needed, and quality workmanship.
• 6.
  Drainage Installation: This is critical. We install drainage material behind the wall, perforated drain pipe, and weep holes to prevent water pressure buildup.
• 7.
  Backfill and Compaction: We carefully backfill behind the wall with proper material and compact it in layers to prevent settling.
• 8.
  Finishing Touches: We install caps, clean the wall, and ensure proper grading around it.

The drainage system is just as important as the wall itself. Water pressure behind a retaining wall is one of the main causes of failure. Our walls are designed to let water escape safely, which is why they last for decades while poorly built walls fail within a few years.

Additional Concrete Masonry Services

Beyond retaining walls, we provide other concrete masonry services for your property:

• Decorative garden walls and borders
• Outdoor kitchen and fire pit surrounds
• Seat walls and landscape features
• Privacy walls and screens
• Mailbox pillars and entry monuments
• Planter boxes and raised beds
• Columns and posts
• Outdoor stairs and steps

Concrete masonry gives you design flexibility while providing the strength and durability you need for outdoor applications. We can match existing masonry on your property or create new designs that complement your home and landscape.

If you're planning landscape improvements that include multiple concrete elements, we can coordinate everything. We handle walkways, patios, walls, and other features as part of a complete outdoor project.

Frequently Asked Questions