Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are structures designed to provide lateral soil support and resist lateral pressure at different levels on both sides of the wall.

These are structures designed to hold back soil and its pressure. They are used to confine soils between two different elevations of the ground, often in areas of land possessing undesirable slopes or in areas where the landscape needs to be shaped severely and engineered to meet specific design specifications for driveway parking areas or hillside pool installations.

Seismic Design for Retaining Walls

Seismic testing is needed to determine the strength of retaining walls during earthquakes. A good engineering and designing practice is crucial to construct a durable retaining wall for your outdoor space.

In accordance with the International Building Code 2009 at section 1613, every structure shall be designed and constructed to resist an earthquake’s motions.

When designing a retaining wall, it is essential to calculate the corresponding wall heights, slopes, size of the footprint, and setback angle, which are all dependent on the elevation and grade of your ground. Our expert retaining wall engineers and designers know the best practices for constructing long-lasting retaining walls.

Stability of Retaining Walls

The stability of retaining walls is crucial. For the most stable retaining wall, the following conditions must be met:

Your wall should be structurally durable to resist pressure applied to it
Your wall should be proportioned as to not have it overturned by any lateral pressure
Your wall should not be pushed out by any lateral pressure
Your wall’s weight and the force from the earth pressure should not stress its foundation
Your walls should have weep holes to relieve water pressure

Retaining Wall Installation Steps

The retaining wall contractor will check the soil conditions and mark the placement of the walls in your outdoor space.
A trench will need to be dug for the block wall. It should be about 6-8 inches deep and slightly wider than the blocks that will be used for the walls.
The wall will be essentially anchored in this trench, which is very important for sandier locations, such as Long Beach, Sunset Beach, or Santa Monica, where the earth might shift.
The remaining earth will then be tamped down to provide a good base for construction. It is very important at this stage of the process that the earth is completely level for the wall. This will make sure that the height is all level and consistent once the wall is fully installed.
The first course of brick, concrete, or stone can then be installed. This is one of the most important steps and must be done with precision to ensure the stones are all level.
The team can get to work laying the rest of the concrete stones to create the retaining walls. This should be speedy work as long as the foundation was carefully laid.
The finishing touches of the project are added. These usually include a topper and backfill but might also involve adding stucco to the wall. You might also add planters to enhance the beauty of the wall.

Retaining Wall Maintenance

If you have older retaining walls or block walls at your Orange County property, they may require some maintenance. Our expert retaining wall contractors can visit your home to evaluate their condition and suggest if repairs or a new wall is necessary.

While concrete is exceptionally durable, it will still require the occasional upkeep and maintenance repairs from time to time.

Our Services in Your Community

For information about our Orange County retaining wall services, contact us today. Our contractors will love to discuss your plans and how a retaining wall can be installed at your home or business property.