Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
We build strong, attractive walls that control erosion and create usable outdoor spaces.
Solving Slope and Erosion Problems
Properties with sloped terrain face unique challenges. Heavy rain washes away soil, creating bare spots and damaging your landscape. Uncontrolled slopes make it hard to create usable outdoor spaces. A well-designed retaining wall solves these problems while adding value and visual appeal to your property.
We design and build custom retaining walls for residential and commercial properties throughout Palm City, FL. Our walls hold back soil, prevent erosion, and create level areas where you can add patios, gardens, or lawn space. You get both function and beauty in one structure.
Proper engineering is critical for retaining walls. A poorly built wall can lean, crack, or fail completely within a few years. We calculate the load requirements, design proper drainage, and build walls that stand strong for decades. Your investment is protected with quality materials and expert construction.
Common Retaining Wall Applications
- •Terraced yards that create multiple level outdoor spaces
- •Driveway support walls on sloped properties
- •Erosion control for slopes near water features or drainage areas
- •Garden beds and planters built into hillsides
- •Commercial parking lot support and grading
Choosing the Right Wall for Your Property
Retaining walls come in several styles and materials. The right choice depends on the height needed, soil conditions, and your aesthetic preferences. We guide you through the options and recommend solutions that fit your budget and performance requirements.
Concrete block walls are our most popular option for residential projects. These modular blocks stack together to create strong, attractive walls in various colors and textures. Installation is faster than poured concrete, and the interlocking design provides excellent stability.
Poured Concrete Retaining Walls
Poured concrete works best for tall walls or areas with high load requirements. We excavate, build forms, install steel reinforcement, and pour concrete to create a solid, permanent structure. These walls can handle more weight and taller heights than segmental block systems.
The smooth concrete surface can be left natural, stained for color, or finished with decorative textures. For properties with existing concrete patios or driveways, poured walls provide a matching aesthetic that ties your outdoor spaces together.
Poured walls require more construction time than block systems. You need proper curing time before backfilling, which adds days to the project timeline. The tradeoff is maximum strength and the ability to create custom shapes and curves.
Concrete Block and Masonry Walls
Segmental retaining wall blocks come in various styles from natural stone textures to smooth modern finishes. These systems include built-in drainage features and proven engineering that meets building code requirements. Installation is cleaner and faster than poured concrete.
We also build traditional concrete masonry walls using CMU blocks. These walls provide exceptional strength for commercial applications or tall residential walls. The hollow cores accept steel reinforcement and concrete fill for added stability.
Building Walls That Last
Every retaining wall fights against tremendous pressure from the soil behind it. Water increases this pressure dramatically, especially during Florida rainy season. Proper design accounts for soil type, wall height, and drainage to ensure long-term stability.
We start every wall project with a site assessment. This tells us what type of soil we are working with and whether we need special engineering. Sandy soil drains naturally and puts less pressure on walls. Clay soil holds water and requires robust drainage systems to prevent failure.
The base foundation is critical. We excavate below grade, install compacted gravel, and level the base precisely. Even small errors at this stage lead to leaning walls later. Our foundation expertise ensures walls start on solid footing.
Drainage Systems That Work
Water is the enemy of retaining walls. When water builds up behind a wall, pressure increases and the structure can shift or crack. We install drainage pipes at the base of the wall and use gravel backfill that allows water to flow freely to drain points.
Weep holes or drainage gaps let water escape through the wall face instead of building up behind it. These features are built into the design and positioned to direct water away from your foundation and landscaping.
For taller walls or areas with poor drainage, we add french drains or subsurface drainage systems. These collect water before it reaches the wall and route it to appropriate discharge points. Proper drainage is not optional, it is essential for wall performance.
Permits and Engineering Requirements
Walls over 4 feet tall typically require engineering calculations and building permits. We coordinate with structural engineers and handle permit applications so your project meets all code requirements. This protects you legally and ensures the wall is built to proper safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to solve erosion problems or create more usable space? We provide free site evaluations and estimates.
Call (772) 292-1073