Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Walls That Work and Last

Retaining walls do important work on your property. They hold back soil on slopes, prevent erosion, create level areas for landscaping or building, and add visual interest to your yard. When you need a wall that can handle these jobs for years without failing, concrete and masonry construction is the answer. Here in Edinburg, we build retaining walls that combine strength, durability, and good looks.

A retaining wall is more than just stacked blocks or poured concrete. It needs proper engineering to handle the pressure from the soil behind it, drainage to prevent water buildup, and a solid foundation to keep it from settling or tipping. We take care of all these details so your wall performs its job without problems down the road.

Types of Retaining Walls We Build

Different situations call for different wall types. Here are the options we install most often:

• Concrete block walls: Interlocking concrete blocks create strong, attractive walls perfect for residential landscaping and moderate heights.
• Poured concrete walls: For maximum strength and heights above 4 feet, poured concrete walls with steel reinforcement provide unmatched durability.
• Concrete masonry units (CMU): Standard concrete blocks reinforced with rebar and filled with concrete, ideal for structural walls and taller applications.
• Stone veneer walls: Poured concrete walls faced with natural or manufactured stone combine strength with a high-end appearance.
• Decorative masonry: Brick, stone, or specialty block walls add architectural interest while providing functional support.

How We Build Retaining Walls Right

Every retaining wall project starts with understanding your property and what you need the wall to do. We look at the slope, soil type, drainage patterns, and how much weight the wall needs to hold. For walls over 4 feet tall or walls supporting structures, we work with engineers to ensure proper design.

The foundation is critical for retaining walls. We excavate below the frost line and install a compacted gravel base that provides both stability and drainage. For taller walls, we pour a concrete footing that spreads the load and anchors the wall firmly in place.

As we build the wall, we install proper drainage behind it. Without drainage, water pressure builds up and can push the wall over or cause it to crack. We add gravel backfill and drainage pipes that channel water away safely. For reinforced walls, we place steel and fill cells with concrete according to engineering specifications. The result is a wall that handles the forces acting on it without failure.

When You Need a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls solve specific problems and create opportunities on your property. If you have a sloped yard, a retaining wall can create level areas for patios, gardens, or play spaces. Properties with erosion problems benefit from walls that hold soil in place and protect your landscaping. Walls can also define spaces in your yard, create raised planting beds, or add architectural features that enhance curb appeal.

For commercial properties, retaining walls enable parking lots on sloped sites, protect buildings from soil movement, and meet code requirements for grade changes. Whatever your need, we design and build walls that do the job while looking good and lasting for decades.

Retaining Wall Questions