Retaining Walls

Commercial-grade RETAINING WALLS to improve drainage and soil stability

in the Bay Area, Sacramento, and the Central Valley of Northern California

Does Your Property Need a Retaining Wall?

Retaining walls is an essential aspect of many construction sites and landscaping projects. These structures have been around for centuries and are used for usable space and to prevent soil erosion and flooding. These walls can create visual interest, creating terraces and areas on different levels when the main structure is built upon a slope or hillside.

Visual interest aside, retaining wall structures control aspects of the terrain drainage and water flow. Their primary purpose is to retain soil, preventing the soil from responding to lateral pressure and returning to its sloped state. Retaining walls turn unusable land into a usable asset. They allow developers to create landscapes for buildings on land that would otherwise have been unusable.

Look no further than Airtight Construction for retaining wall contractors. We’ve been changing commercial landscapes in the Bay Area for over twenty years. Over this period, we’ve developed a reputation as a leading retaining wall designer and installer. We specialize in cantilever retaining wall structures and concrete block walls. Still, we can arrange segmental retaining walls, gabion walls, and more.

How Do Retaining Walls Work?

Made from interlocking blocks, timber, poured concrete, or stone, retaining walls create flat surfaces where previously the land sloped. They correct drainage problems and prevent retained soil from sliding back into the position it previously held. Retaining walls reinforce building foundations and structures. Use them to add flat space to paved parking lots. These walls will keep the land stable and safe.

A well-designed retaining wall provides the force that prevents lateral pressure from displacing the earth behind it. The retaining wall design and installation are crucial to ensure that it retains soil and prevents it from sliding downhill.

In some instances, where a low retaining wall is required, gravity wall structures are adequate for the task. Most walls require foundations, which means that excavation is needed. Drainage is one of the most important aspects of retaining wall design, regardless of whether it is built from concrete blocks, wall stones, or mechanically stabilized earth. Without adequate drainage, water will accumulate behind the wall and build up pressure, which could result in wall failure.

You’ll need a permit before you start a retaining wall of four inches or more in Northern California. The team at Airtight Construction has the skills and experience to design a wall that is built to last. We’ll help you with materials, structure, and design choices. We will also ensure that it meets the permit regulations. A well-built retaining wall structure is an asset to your property and will add value. We pride ourselves in building retaining walls that are as good-looking as they are functional.

PLANNING YOUR RETAINING WALL

A retaining wall should be an asset on your land. It should improve the look of your property, match your structures, and protect your assets from environmental damage caused by flooding and soil erosion. It depends on how well the wall structure is designed and built.

There are several factors to consider before you start your retaining wall project. These include:

Location: Check for underground utilities, including sewerage lines, water supply lines, or stormwater drains.
Natural water flow and drainage: Ensure that the wall in no way obstructs the water flow or diverts water to your building.
Soil: Can the soil in the area bear the weight of the retaining wall?
Wall design: The retaining wall must withstand the soil pressure behind the wall. If there is any doubt, you need reinforced retaining walls to avoid collapse.
Drainage: Water is the biggest cause of retaining wall failure. The retaining wall must have adequate drainage, like gravel backfilling and weep holes. These simple systems are often enough to drain wall structures like precast concrete and gravity walls made from masonry units.

After considering all the factors, it’s time to choose the most suitable wall for your property. The most suitable retaining wall will depend on the natural conditions and the wall height.

NEED HELP BUILDING A RETAINING WALL?

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RETAINING WALL STRUCTURE

The team at Airtight Construction typically builds five wall types of retaining walls to help you level off different areas in your garden. We’ll design a wall to suit your lifestyle and property requirements. We understand that every property is different, so we’ll tailor a wall to suit the materials and style that suits you.

CANTILEVER WALLS

Cantilever walls are very popular because they take less space than a gravity retaining wall. A cantilever wall depends on its foundations for strength. The foundations consist of a horizontal base shaped like an L or an inverted T to give it its strength. The earth lies upon the horizontal surface of the base slab and exerts pressure to prevent the wall from sliding or tipping. A cantilever retaining wall is made from reinforced concrete and is custom-designed and built. The concrete can be made to look like any other material using stamping or veneers.

ANCHORED RETAINING WALLS

Commonly called secured walls, an anchored retaining wall has steel strips or cables planted into the ground for strength. These walls often have earth anchors made from pressurized concrete.

An anchored retaining wall is a complex wall structure, an ideal choice for taller walls where a little wall must retain a large volume of soil.

SHEET PILE WALLS

Sheet pile retaining walls are driven into the ground at right angles to create freestanding walls. They are popular where space is limited and commonly used as temporary structures. They are suitable where there is a small amount of loose soil to hold back. Grooves give the walls the strength to retain the weight of the retained earth.

When used in larger areas, sheet pile walls need reinforcing. They may be used with an anchored retaining wall.

GRAVITY RETAINING WALLS

One of the most commonly used retaining wall types, gravity retaining walls are also very simple. They are made from masonry units or concrete blocks. The weight of the gravity wall resists stress and keeps the retained earth at bay. Still, most modern walls include a foundation requiring excavation.

GABION MESH WALLS

Typically used for smaller projects with flowing water problems, Gabion mesh walls are made from steel mesh cubes containing rock or crushed stone. The filled blocks work like a gravity wall. They are loaded one on top of the other. Drainage happens naturally as water channels through the natural stones in the gabion mesh cubes.

Gabion mesh walls will eventually rust, but they remain a relatively inexpensive solution in restricted areas experiencing soil erosion or water drainage problems.

RETAINING WALL MATERIALS

You must decide what materials to use when designing a retaining wall since it will affect the design, appearance, and cost.

Natural Retaining Walls

Natural retaining walls may refer to natural stone walls. These walls are not suitable for commercial projects. They look good in terraced gardens but generally won’t do an adequate job of water runoff diversion or the prevention of soil erosion.

If you favor natural stone walls for your property, it’s good to know that you can use veneers and concrete stamping techniques to change the look of almost any retaining wall.

BRICK OR BLOCK RETAINING WALLS

Block or brick gravity retaining walls are versatile and popular options. They look good on most landscapes and can be curved, tapered, or staggered. They can also include features like steps or benches and may include drainage gaps.

POURED CONCRETE RETAINING WALLS

Poured concrete walls are even more versatile than block retaining walls. They can take on almost any shape, following land contours. This means that they can integrate well into landscapes of almost any shape. These walls offer a good, clean outlook. Landowners can use veneers to create a natural finish that blends with the buildings or landscapes. A well-designed concrete retaining wall is durable and reliable and can be used for almost any project.

TIMBER RETAINING WALLS

Because wood is susceptible to moisture, mold, and insect damage, timber retaining walls are seldom used on commercial properties. They are, however, useful for shorter walls in areas where less strength is needed to hold back retained soil.

Custom Retaining Wall Designs

At Airtight Construction, we know every property is unique, so we start all our retaining wall projects by consulting the property owner and surveying the area. We tailor each wall to the needs of the owner and the distinctive landscape and property features. Our team will design and construct your retaining wall to look good and perform well. Together, we’ll work to provide you with the wall want at a price you can afford. Call us today for a free quote, and let’s start planning your retaining wall.

20+

Years of Experience as a Retaining Wall Installer

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