Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Engineered retaining walls that prevent erosion, create level spaces, and add structure to sloped properties.
Why Properties Need Retaining Walls
If your property has any slope or grade change, a retaining wall might be the solution to multiple problems. These structures hold back soil to create level areas, prevent erosion, manage water runoff, and make unusable slopes functional. Here in El Monte, many properties have elevation changes that make them difficult to use without some kind of retaining system.
At ClearView El Monte Concrete, we design and build retaining walls that handle the job they are meant to do. A retaining wall is more than just stacked blocks or poured concrete. It is an engineered structure that must resist tremendous pressure from the soil behind it. Get the design wrong and the wall will lean, crack, or collapse. Get it right and you have a permanent solution that lasts for decades.
Types of Retaining Walls
Different situations call for different wall types. Here are the most common options we build:
- Poured concrete walls: Solid reinforced concrete with maximum strength for tall walls.
- Concrete block walls: Interlocking blocks that provide strength and drainage in one system.
- Segmental walls: Decorative blocks that look like natural stone but install faster.
- Cantilever walls: L-shaped walls that use their own weight and leverage to resist soil pressure.
- Gravity walls: Thick walls that rely on mass to hold back soil, best for shorter heights.
The right choice depends on wall height, soil conditions, space available, and your budget. Walls over 4 feet tall usually require engineering and permits. We work with engineers when needed to ensure your wall is properly designed and permitted.
Why Retaining Wall Engineering Matters
The soil behind a retaining wall exerts enormous pressure. Water makes it worse because saturated soil weighs more and pushes harder. An improperly designed wall cannot resist these forces. We have seen plenty of DIY and contractor failures that had to be torn out and rebuilt correctly.
Every retaining wall needs proper drainage. Water trapped behind a wall creates hydraulic pressure that can push even a well-built wall over. We install drainage pipes, gravel backfill, and weep holes to keep water moving away from the wall. This is not optional. Without drainage, any retaining wall will eventually fail.
Building Walls That Last
We start retaining wall projects by excavating down to solid ground. The footing sits below the frost line and on undisturbed soil. For taller walls, we pour a reinforced concrete footing. Shorter walls might use a compacted gravel base. The wall itself gets built according to engineering specs with proper rebar or reinforcement.
As we build, we install drainage behind the wall. Gravel backfill surrounds the drainage pipe and prevents soil from clogging the system. We step taller walls back slightly as they rise to improve stability. Once complete, your wall holds back soil permanently while also serving as an attractive landscape feature. Many clients combine retaining walls with patios or walkways to create complete outdoor living spaces.