Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

If your property has slopes, elevation changes, or erosion issues, a properly built retaining wall can solve these problems while adding usable space and visual appeal to your property. Retaining walls hold back soil, prevent erosion, manage water drainage, and create level areas for landscaping, patios, or gardens. At Sure4You Placentia Concrete, we specialize in building strong, attractive retaining walls and concrete masonry structures that perform reliably for decades.

We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Placentia, CA with expert retaining wall design and construction. From small garden walls to large engineered structures, we have the knowledge and equipment to handle projects of any complexity.

Why You Might Need a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls serve several important functions:

• •Erosion Control: Slopes and hillsides erode over time, especially during heavy rain. A retaining wall holds the soil in place and prevents it from washing away.
• •Creating Usable Space: Terracing a sloped yard with retaining walls creates level areas for patios, gardens, play areas, or parking. This maximizes your usable outdoor space.
• •Managing Drainage: Properly designed retaining walls include drainage systems that direct water away from structures and prevent saturation that can cause wall failure.
• •Protecting Structures: If your home, garage, or other structure sits on a slope, a retaining wall prevents soil from sliding against or under the foundation.
• •Enhancing Curb Appeal: Well-designed retaining walls add architectural interest and define outdoor spaces. They can be purely functional or serve as attractive landscape features.

Types of Retaining Walls and Masonry We Build

We offer several types of retaining walls and masonry structures to fit different needs and budgets:

Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

These are the strongest option for taller walls or heavy load requirements. We build forms, install reinforcing steel, and pour concrete to create monolithic walls that can last 50 years or more. Poured walls can be finished with various textures or veneers for aesthetic appeal.

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) or concrete blocks are stacked and reinforced with steel and concrete fill. This method is versatile, economical, and works well for walls of various heights. Blocks come in different finishes including split-face for a natural stone appearance.

Segmental Retaining Walls

These walls use interlocking concrete blocks specifically designed for retaining wall applications. They offer excellent strength, are easier to install than poured walls, and come in various colors and textures. They work well for residential landscaping projects.

Decorative Masonry Walls

Not all walls need to retain soil. We also build decorative masonry walls for privacy, security, property boundaries, or architectural features. These can be built with various materials including concrete block, brick, or stone veneer.

Proper Design and Engineering Matter

Retaining walls must resist tremendous forces from the soil they hold back. Poorly designed or constructed walls can fail, causing property damage, safety hazards, and expensive repairs. That's why proper design and engineering are critical.

For walls over 4 feet tall or walls supporting significant loads, engineering calculations are typically required by building codes. We work with qualified engineers when needed to ensure your wall is designed correctly for your soil conditions, slope, and load requirements.

Key design considerations include the height and length of the wall, soil type and load-bearing capacity, slope angle and drainage conditions, surcharge loads from driveways or structures above the wall, seismic requirements for earthquake-prone areas, and aesthetic preferences for appearance and finish.

We handle all aspects of design, permitting, and engineering coordination so you can have confidence your retaining wall will perform as intended.

Our Retaining Wall Installation Process

Building a quality retaining wall requires careful planning and skilled execution. Here's our approach:

Site Assessment: We evaluate your property's slope, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and existing structures. We discuss your goals and budget to recommend the best type of wall for your situation.

Design and Engineering: We prepare construction plans showing the wall layout, height, and specifications. For taller walls, we coordinate with structural engineers. We obtain necessary permits from local building officials.

Excavation and Base Preparation: We excavate the wall footprint and prepare a stable, level base. The foundation is critical. We typically excavate below grade and install a compacted gravel base or pour a concrete footing depending on the wall type and height.

Wall Construction: We build the wall according to specifications, installing reinforcement, drainage systems, and proper backfill as we go. For poured walls, this means setting forms, placing rebar, and pouring concrete. For block walls, we carefully stack and reinforce each course.

Drainage Installation: Proper drainage is essential for wall longevity. We install drainage pipes behind the wall and backfill with gravel to allow water to flow away rather than building up pressure behind the wall.

Finishing and Landscaping: We cap the wall, apply any decorative finishes, and coordinate with your landscaping plans. We ensure proper grading above and below the wall for drainage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retaining Walls and Concrete Masonry