Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Control slopes, prevent erosion, and create usable yard space with properly engineered retaining walls.
Why You Might Need a Retaining Wall
Sloped yards are common in parts of Fremont. A retaining wall lets you turn unusable hillside into flat, usable space. It holds back soil on one side while creating level ground on the other. This prevents erosion, stops soil from washing onto lower areas, and gives you more yard to work with.
Retaining walls also solve drainage problems. By creating terraces, water can be directed where you want it instead of rushing straight downhill. This protects your foundation, prevents mudslides, and keeps your landscaping from washing away during heavy rain. In neighborhoods with grade changes, retaining walls are often necessary to meet setback requirements or support driveways.
Retaining Wall Options
- Concrete block walls with interlocking units for strength
- Poured concrete walls for maximum durability and height
- Decorative stone veneer for natural appearance
- Segmental block systems in various colors and textures
- Engineered walls for slopes over 4 feet high
Engineering and Code Requirements
Retaining walls over a certain height need engineering calculations and building permits in Fremont. The wall has to resist tremendous pressure from the soil behind it. Poor design or construction leads to bulging, tilting, or complete failure. We work with structural engineers on taller walls to ensure everything meets code.
Proper drainage behind the wall is critical. We install drain pipes and gravel backfill so water doesn't build up and push on the wall. The foundation must be deep enough and wide enough to support the weight and resist sliding. These aren't details you can skip. A failed retaining wall can damage property, create liability, and cost far more to fix than doing it right the first time. For other structural work, see our foundation services and complete concrete capabilities.
How We Build Retaining Walls
Every retaining wall project starts with excavation. We dig back into the slope to create space for the wall and its foundation. The base must sit on undisturbed soil or engineered fill, never on loose topsoil. We pour a concrete footing that extends below frost depth and provides a level base.
For block walls, we set the first course in mortar on the footing. Each subsequent course gets staggered like bricks, with pins or adhesive connecting the blocks. We install drain pipes at the base and backfill with gravel as we build up. For poured concrete walls, we build forms, place rebar, and pour in lifts if the wall is tall.
The final step is backfilling behind the wall with proper drainage material, then adding topsoil and landscaping. A well-built retaining wall should last 50 years or more with no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. The difference between a wall that lasts and one that fails comes down to proper engineering, quality materials, and experienced installation. We also handle flatwork on the terraced areas your new wall creates.