Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Strong, attractive walls that hold back soil and define your landscape.

Professional concrete retaining wall installation in McAllen, TX

Why You Might Need a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls serve important practical purposes while also adding visual appeal to your property. They hold back soil on slopes, prevent erosion, create usable flat areas in sloped yards, and protect foundations from soil pressure.

If you have a sloped yard, drainage issues, or want to add terraced garden beds, a properly built retaining wall might be the solution. We design and build walls that handle the job they're meant for while looking great. Our experience with concrete construction in McAllen ensures your wall will perform well in local conditions.

Types of Retaining Walls We Build

Different situations call for different wall types. We'll recommend the best option based on your needs, soil conditions, and budget:

  • Segmental block walls: Interlocking concrete blocks in many styles and colors
  • Poured concrete walls: Solid reinforced concrete for maximum strength
  • Concrete block walls: Traditional CMU construction with stucco or stone veneer
  • Boulder walls: Natural stone with concrete footings and backfill
  • Gravity walls: Mass concrete structures that use weight for stability

Each type has advantages for different applications. Short decorative walls might use segmental blocks, while taller structural walls often need reinforced poured concrete.

Engineering That Prevents Failure

A retaining wall that fails can cause serious damage and be expensive to rebuild. That's why proper engineering and construction are critical. We don't guess or cut corners on structural elements.

Key Elements of a Strong Wall

Solid foundation: Every retaining wall needs a proper footing below the frost line (or to code depth in our climate). This prevents settling and movement.

Proper drainage: Water buildup behind a wall creates pressure that can cause failure. We install drainage systems including gravel backfill, perforated pipes, and weep holes to keep water from accumulating.

Adequate reinforcement: Taller walls need steel reinforcement to handle soil pressure. We follow engineering specifications for rebar placement and concrete strength.

Proper backfill: We use engineered gravel behind walls instead of clay soil. This improves drainage and reduces pressure on the wall. Similar to how we prepare bases for driveways and patios, proper preparation makes all the difference.

Making Your Wall Look Great

A retaining wall doesn't have to be just functional. Modern materials and design options let you create walls that enhance your landscape.

Segmental retaining wall blocks come in dozens of colors, textures, and styles. You can choose smooth modern looks, natural stone appearances, or textured finishes. Many systems allow curves and radius walls for more interesting designs.

Poured concrete walls can be finished with stucco, stone veneer, or left exposed with form patterns for an architectural look. You can also cap walls with stone or concrete caps that provide finished edges and seating areas.

Consider adding lighting, planters, or built-in seating to make your wall both functional and a focal point of your outdoor space. We can incorporate these features during construction.

Retaining Wall Questions