Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Why Retaining Walls Matter

Retaining walls do more than look good. They hold back soil on sloped properties, prevent erosion, create usable flat areas from hillsides, and protect structures from soil movement. A properly built retaining wall manages tremendous forces and lasts for decades. A poorly built wall fails, sometimes catastrophically, causing property damage and safety hazards.

Whether you need to terrace a hillside yard, protect your home foundation from soil pressure, or create level spaces for patios and landscaping, retaining walls provide engineered solutions that work. We build walls that hold back the earth reliably while enhancing your property's appearance and function.

Types of Retaining Walls We Build

Different situations call for different wall systems. We design and install the right type of retaining wall for your specific site conditions, budget, and aesthetic preferences:

• •Poured Concrete Walls: Solid reinforced concrete structures ideal for tall walls and heavy loads, built to last generations
• •Concrete Block Walls: Versatile masonry walls using concrete blocks with steel reinforcement and filled cores for strength
• •Decorative Block Systems: Attractive segmental retaining wall blocks that stack together with built-in setback for stability
• •Garden Walls and Planters: Shorter decorative walls that define spaces, contain plantings, or create raised beds
• •Foundation Walls: Below-grade concrete walls that form basements or support structures on sloped sites

Engineering and Design

Retaining walls are structural systems that require engineering, not just stacking blocks or pouring concrete. Soil pressure, water management, foundation bearing capacity, and proper reinforcement all factor into wall design. Get these calculations wrong and your wall will fail.

Site Assessment

We start every retaining wall project with careful site evaluation. Soil type, slope angle, groundwater conditions, and surcharge loads all affect wall design. Understanding these factors ensures we build walls engineered for your specific conditions.

Drainage Systems

Water is the biggest threat to retaining walls. Pressure from saturated soil behind the wall creates enormous forces that can cause failure. We install proper drainage systems including weep holes, drainage pipes, and gravel backfill that relieve water pressure and protect your wall investment.

Proper Foundations

Retaining walls need solid foundations below frost depth and on stable bearing soil. The foundation must be wide enough to resist sliding and overturning forces. We excavate to proper depth, pour adequate footings, and build walls that stay put for the long term.

Concrete Masonry Services

Beyond retaining walls, we provide complete concrete masonry services for residential and commercial properties in Montebello. Concrete block construction offers strength, durability, and fire resistance for structures that need to last.

We build block walls for property boundaries, equipment enclosures, trash areas, and structural applications. Decorative block options provide attractive finishes while maintaining the strength of reinforced concrete masonry. Whether you need a simple foundation wall or complex terraced retaining system, we have the masonry expertise to build it right.

Local Retaining Wall Experts

Montebello properties present unique challenges with varied terrain and soil conditions. We understand local requirements for permits, inspections, and engineering when walls exceed certain heights. Our experience building retaining walls throughout the area means we anticipate problems before they occur and design solutions that work.

Ready to solve your slope problems or create usable outdoor space? Contact us today for a site visit and detailed quote on your retaining wall or masonry project. We will assess your property, discuss options, and provide honest recommendations based on what will work best for your situation and budget. Let us show you how professional concrete construction can transform your sloped property into functional, attractive outdoor space.

Frequently Asked Questions