Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Why You Might Need a Retaining Wall

If your Farmington property has slopes, elevation changes, or drainage problems, a retaining wall solves multiple issues at once. It holds back soil to prevent erosion, creates level areas for patios or gardens, and directs water away from your home's foundation.

Retaining walls also add usable space to your yard. A sloped backyard that was too steep to use becomes terraced levels perfect for landscaping, seating areas, or play spaces. We've helped homeowners transform unusable hillsides into functional outdoor living areas.

The key is building your wall correctly. A poorly designed retaining wall will lean, crack, or fail completely within a few years. We engineer our walls to handle the soil pressure, install proper drainage, and use materials that stand up to Farmington's weather conditions.

Types of Retaining Walls We Build

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

• Concrete block walls: Interlocking masonry blocks in various colors and textures that create attractive, sturdy walls up to 6 feet high.
• Poured concrete walls: Monolithic concrete structures with reinforcement, ideal for larger walls or areas with heavy soil pressure.
• Stone-faced walls: Concrete or block cores with natural stone veneer for a high-end appearance.
• Tiered systems: Multiple shorter walls that step down slopes instead of one tall wall.
• Garden walls: Shorter decorative walls that define planting beds or separate lawn areas.

We help you choose the right type based on the height you need, soil conditions, and the overall look you want. Retaining walls can coordinate with your concrete patio or other hardscaping to create a unified design.

Proper Installation Makes the Difference

Building a retaining wall that lasts requires more than just stacking blocks. Here's what we do:

First, we excavate and create a level base. This foundation determines whether your wall stays straight or eventually tilts forward. We compact the base thoroughly and use crushed stone that drains well.

As we build upward, we install drainage pipes and gravel backfill behind the wall. This prevents water from building up pressure that would push the wall over. We also add geogrid reinforcement for taller walls, anchoring them into the soil behind them for extra stability.

For walls over 4 feet tall or in situations with significant load, we bring in a structural engineer to design the wall properly. This ensures it meets local building codes and will perform as expected for decades.

Masonry Work Beyond Retaining Walls

We handle other concrete masonry projects that complement your landscape and hardscaping:

Seat walls and planters: Built-in seating areas or raised planters that double as attractive features and functional spaces.

Outdoor kitchens and fire pits: Masonry structures that support grills, countertops, or surround fire features safely.

Columns and pillars: Decorative or structural masonry columns for entryways, gates, or covered patios. We can match these to your home's exterior or create complementary designs that tie your landscape together. Combined with custom walkways and other concrete work, masonry elements complete your outdoor vision.

Frequently Asked Questions