Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

When You Need a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls serve important functions on properties with slopes, elevation changes, or drainage issues. These structures hold back soil, prevent erosion, create usable level areas, and add visual interest to your landscape. At MGL Margate Concrete, we design and build retaining walls and concrete masonry structures that combine structural integrity with attractive appearance.

Here in Florida, our sandy soils and heavy rains make proper retaining walls especially important. Without solid walls, sloped areas erode and wash away during storms. Soil movement can undermine foundations, driveways, and other structures. A well-built retaining wall stabilizes your property and protects your investment.

Retaining walls also create opportunities to expand usable space on your property. That sloped backyard can become a terraced garden or level patio area. A hillside lot gains flat areas for parking or outdoor living. Beyond the practical benefits, retaining walls add dimension and character to your landscape that flat properties cannot achieve.

Types of Retaining Walls and Masonry Work

We build various types of retaining walls and masonry structures to meet different needs and preferences. The right choice depends on how tall the wall needs to be, how much load it must hold, and the look you want to achieve.

Retaining wall and masonry options we offer include:

• Poured concrete retaining walls with reinforcement for maximum strength and any height
• Concrete block (CMU) retaining walls offering strength with easier installation
• Decorative segmental block walls using interlocking systems in various colors and textures
• Masonry garden walls and seat walls adding function and beauty to landscaping
• Concrete or block privacy walls and fencing alternatives for screening and security
• Structural walls for foundations and basement retaining
• Masonry planters and raised beds built to last decades

Each type of wall has advantages for different situations. Poured concrete provides maximum strength for tall walls or heavy loads. Decorative block systems offer beauty with less cost than poured walls. We help you choose the best option for your specific property conditions, budget, and aesthetic preferences.

Engineering and Building Retaining Walls Right

Retaining walls are structural elements that must be designed and built correctly to perform safely. Walls over a certain height require engineering and permits. Even shorter walls need proper construction techniques to prevent failure. We take retaining wall work seriously because improper walls can fail catastrophically, causing property damage and safety hazards.

Every retaining wall starts with proper foundation and base preparation. We excavate below the frost line and create a compacted gravel base that prevents settling. The wall footing must be sized correctly for the wall height and the loads it will hold. We install adequate drainage behind walls using gravel backfill and perforated pipes. Without proper drainage, water pressure builds up and can push walls over.

Reinforcement is critical for concrete and block walls. We use rebar placed according to engineering specifications to give walls the strength they need. For taller walls, we may install tiebacks or deadman anchors that extend into the soil behind the wall for additional stability. Block walls are filled with concrete and rebar in the cores.

We build walls level and plumb using precise layout and quality control. Proper battering (backward lean) helps walls resist soil pressure. For poured concrete walls, we use quality forming systems and carefully monitor the concrete pour and curing. The result is a wall that will stand strong for decades while maintaining its appearance.

Design Options and Finishing

Retaining walls do not have to look like plain concrete barriers. Modern materials and finishing techniques let you create walls that enhance your landscape design. We work with you to select materials and finishes that complement your home and existing landscape features.

Poured concrete walls can be left with a smooth finish, textured with form liners that create stone or wood patterns, or veneered with natural stone or brick. Block walls come in numerous colors from natural earth tones to contemporary grays. Some block systems have textured faces that mimic natural stone. Decorative concrete caps finish the top of walls with color and style.

Curved walls, terraced walls at multiple heights, and integrated steps add visual interest while serving functional purposes. Built-in planters soften the appearance of walls and provide growing space. Lighting can be incorporated into walls for safety and nighttime ambiance. We help you plan these features during the design phase.

For properties with multiple elevation changes, we often build terraced retaining walls that create several level areas connected by steps or sloped walkways. This approach is often more attractive and cost-effective than one tall wall. The terraces create distinctive outdoor rooms and planting areas at different levels.

Frequently Asked Questions