Retaining Wall Design & Installation
Custom retaining wall design and installation services that combine structural engineering with aesthetic appeal for your landscape.
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Why Your San Bernardino Property Needs a Retaining Wall
Retaining walls do more than just look good in your landscape. They solve real problems caused by sloped terrain, preventing soil erosion and creating usable flat areas on hillside properties. Here in San Bernardino, CA, many properties sit on slopes that need proper management to prevent landslides, washouts, and drainage issues.
A well designed retaining wall holds back soil while managing water pressure and drainage. Without proper retention, heavy rains can wash away soil, undermine foundations, and create dangerous conditions. Retaining walls let you transform unusable steep areas into functional spaces for gardens, patios, driveways, or lawn areas. They also protect existing structures by controlling soil movement and redirecting water away from buildings.
We design and build custom retaining walls for residential and commercial properties throughout San Bernardino. Our walls combine structural integrity with attractive design, using materials that complement your property while standing up to local soil conditions and weather. Whether you need a simple garden wall or a complex tiered system, we bring the engineering knowledge and masonry skills to build it right.
Retaining Wall Options for Every Need
Choosing the right type of retaining wall depends on your site conditions, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Here are the most common options we install:
Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Modular concrete blocks offer versatility and strength for walls of various heights. Modern blocks come in many colors and textures that mimic natural stone. They interlock without mortar for walls up to three or four feet, while taller walls require reinforcement with steel and concrete fill. These walls handle significant loads and work well for driveways, multi level yards, and commercial applications.
Natural Stone Retaining Walls
Natural stone walls bring timeless beauty to any landscape. We build both dry stack walls for lower heights and mortared stone walls for taller applications. Stone walls age gracefully and complement traditional architecture beautifully. They require skilled craftsmanship to select and place stones for both stability and appearance. Our masonry expertise ensures every stone contributes to the wall's strength and visual appeal.
Brick Retaining Walls
Brick creates classic, elegant retaining walls that match traditional home styles. We build brick walls with proper footings, drainage systems, and reinforcement to handle soil pressure. Brick works particularly well for walls under four feet tall and for decorative applications where appearance matters as much as function.
Poured Concrete Walls
For maximum strength and height, poured concrete walls provide unmatched structural capacity. We design these walls with proper footings and reinforcement to meet engineering requirements. Concrete walls can be finished smooth, stamped with patterns, or veneered with brick or stone for enhanced appearance.
How We Design and Build Your Retaining Wall
Building a retaining wall that lasts requires careful planning and execution. We follow a systematic approach that ensures your wall performs as intended for decades.
Site Assessment and Design
Every retaining wall project begins with understanding your site. We evaluate soil conditions, measure slope angles, identify drainage patterns, and check for underground utilities. This information guides our design decisions about wall height, base width, reinforcement needs, and drainage systems. We discuss your goals for the space and show you material options that fit your budget and vision.
Engineering and Permits
Walls over a certain height or those supporting structures require engineering calculations and building permits. We handle the permit process and work with engineers when needed to ensure your wall meets local building codes. Proper engineering prevents failures and gives you confidence your wall is built to last.
Excavation and Base Preparation
A solid foundation determines whether a retaining wall succeeds or fails. We excavate to stable soil and create a level base with proper compaction. Most walls need a gravel base for drainage and stability. The base width depends on wall height and soil conditions. We never cut corners on foundation work because everything else depends on this critical step.
Wall Construction
We build your wall using techniques specific to the chosen material. Block walls are leveled and set with a slight backward lean for stability. Stone walls are carefully fitted with attention to weight distribution and interlocking. Brick walls receive proper footings and reinforcement. Throughout construction, we install drainage pipes and backfill with gravel to prevent water pressure buildup behind the wall.
- Geotextile fabric installation to prevent soil migration
- Drainage pipe placement at the wall base
- Proper backfill with free draining gravel
- Cap installation for finished appearance and water protection
- Final grading and landscaping integration
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about retaining wall design and installation.
Transform Your Sloped Property
Let SBD San Bernardino Masonry design and build the perfect retaining wall for your property. We offer free consultations to discuss your needs, evaluate your site, and provide detailed estimates. Contact us today to get started on your retaining wall project.
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