Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

When You Need a Retaining Wall

If your yard has slopes, hills, or areas where soil washes away during heavy rain, a retaining wall can solve those problems. Retaining walls hold soil in place, prevent erosion, and create level areas you can actually use. Whether you want to flatten a section of your yard for a patio, protect a foundation, or add tiered landscaping, we can build a wall that does the job.

As a concrete contractor serving Evans, GA, we see a lot of properties that could benefit from retaining walls. The red clay soil in our area expands when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries out. That constant movement pushes soil downhill over time. Without a retaining wall, you end up with erosion near your home, uneven landscaping, and drainage problems that only get worse.

We build retaining walls that are designed to last. That means proper footings, good drainage behind the wall, and the right materials for your specific site conditions. A retaining wall is a structural element, not just a decorative feature. It needs to be engineered to handle the pressure of the soil behind it, and that is exactly what we do.

Types of Retaining Walls We Build

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for retaining walls. The right choice depends on the height of the wall, the soil conditions, your budget, and how you want it to look. Here are the main options we offer:

• Poured concrete walls: The strongest option for tall walls or heavy loads. These are solid, seamless, and extremely durable.
• Concrete block walls: A cost-effective choice that looks great and provides solid structural support. Available in many colors and textures.
• Gravity walls: These rely on their own weight to hold back soil. Good for shorter walls under 4 feet.
• Cantilever walls: An L-shaped design that uses leverage to hold back soil. Great for taller walls where strength is critical.
• Tiered walls: Multiple shorter walls stacked with setbacks between them. This approach spreads out the soil pressure and creates planting areas between levels.

We will evaluate your property, discuss your goals, and recommend the best option. For walls over 4 feet, local codes typically require engineering plans and a permit. We take care of all of that so you do not have to worry about the paperwork.

What Makes a Retaining Wall Last

The biggest reason retaining walls fail is poor drainage. When water builds up behind a wall, it creates hydrostatic pressure that pushes the wall outward. Over time, the wall leans, cracks, and eventually collapses. We prevent this by installing a drainage system behind every wall we build. That includes crushed stone backfill, perforated drain pipes, and weep holes that let water escape.

The foundation matters just as much. Every retaining wall we build starts with a compacted gravel base and a concrete footing that extends below the frost line. This prevents the wall from shifting when the ground freezes and thaws. We also use rebar reinforcement to tie the footing to the wall for added stability.

If your retaining wall project involves changes to your property grade, we can also help with related foundation and slab work to make sure everything ties together properly. A retaining wall is only as good as the system around it, and we build the whole system.

Common Questions About Retaining Walls