Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Retaining walls do more than just hold back soil. They solve practical problems while creating opportunities to use your property more effectively. If you have slopes on your property, a retaining wall can transform unusable hillsides into level, functional spaces for landscaping, patios, or gardens.

Erosion is a major concern in Florida with our heavy rainfall. Sloped areas without proper retention can wash away, damaging your landscaping and potentially threatening structures. A well-built retaining wall prevents erosion by holding soil in place and managing water flow. This protects your investment and prevents problems that only get worse over time.

Drainage issues often go hand in hand with sloped properties. Water naturally flows downhill, and if it's not managed properly, it can pool against foundations, flood low areas, or create muddy messes. Retaining walls can be designed with drainage systems that direct water safely away from structures and prevent accumulation problems. In Hollywood's wet climate, proper drainage is essential for protecting your property.

Retaining walls also enhance your property's appearance and value. A professionally built wall with attractive finishes becomes a landscape feature that adds character and defines spaces. Terraced gardens created with multiple retaining walls can transform a boring slope into a stunning showcase. Whether your goal is solving practical problems or creating beautiful outdoor spaces, retaining walls deliver both function and aesthetic appeal.

We construct several types of retaining walls, each with advantages for different applications. The right choice depends on the height of the wall, soil conditions, space available, and your aesthetic preferences:

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) are versatile and cost-effective for walls of various heights. These engineered blocks stack together and can be reinforced with steel and filled with concrete for added strength. They're ideal for walls up to 6 feet tall and can be finished with stucco or left natural depending on your preference. Block walls go up relatively quickly and provide excellent durability.

Poured Concrete Walls

For maximum strength and flexibility in design, poured concrete retaining walls can't be beat. These walls can handle significant loads and are appropriate for any height. We build forms to the precise dimensions needed, install reinforcing steel, and pour concrete to create a monolithic structure. The surface can be finished smooth, textured, or stamped to match surrounding areas. Poured walls work well for complex shapes and situations requiring extra strength.

Decorative Block Walls

Decorative retaining wall blocks come in various styles, colors, and textures. These interlocking units create walls with natural stone appearance or other attractive finishes. They're popular for residential applications where appearance matters as much as function. Many systems don't require mortar, using mechanical connections instead, which can speed installation.

• Stone-textured blocks that mimic natural granite, limestone, or fieldstone
• Smooth contemporary blocks for modern landscaping designs
• Split-face blocks with rough, natural-looking surfaces
• Colored blocks that coordinate with your home's exterior

Retaining walls are structural elements that must be properly engineered to work safely and last. Unlike a simple patio or walkway, retaining walls must resist significant lateral pressure from the soil they're holding back. This requires careful design and expert construction:

Foundation and Base Preparation

Everything starts with a solid foundation. We excavate below the frost line (less critical in Florida but still important) and create a level, compacted base. For taller walls, we pour a concrete footing that spreads the load and prevents settling. The foundation must be strong enough to support the wall and resist movement from the pressure behind it.

Proper Drainage

Water buildup behind retaining walls is the number one cause of failure. As water accumulates, it creates hydrostatic pressure that can push walls over or cause them to crack. We install drainage systems including perforated pipes at the base of the wall and gravel backfill that allows water to drain away instead of building up pressure. These drainage features are critical and should never be skipped.

Reinforcement and Anchoring

Taller walls need reinforcement to handle the lateral loads. This might include steel rebar within the wall, tiebacks that anchor into the hillside, or geogrid reinforcement that extends into the backfill. The specific reinforcement needed depends on the wall height, soil conditions, and what's being retained. For walls over 4 feet tall, engineering is typically required to determine the appropriate reinforcement.

Proper Backfilling and Compaction

The soil behind the wall must be placed and compacted properly. We use well-draining gravel directly behind the wall, then backfill with appropriate soil in layers, compacting as we go. Poor backfilling creates uneven loads and can lead to wall failure. This step takes time and care, but it's essential for long-term performance.

Beyond retaining walls, we offer a full range of concrete masonry services for both residential and commercial applications:

Privacy walls and fencing: Concrete block walls provide excellent security and privacy. They're far more durable than wood fencing and require virtually no maintenance. We can build walls of any height with various finishes and cap styles. They're perfect for property boundaries, pool enclosures, or defining outdoor rooms.

Planters and raised beds: Built-in concrete planters create permanent landscape features that add dimension to your yard. Raised garden beds make gardening easier and protect plants from foot traffic. We can incorporate planters into retaining walls or build freestanding structures in any size or configuration.

Outdoor kitchens and features: Concrete masonry provides the perfect foundation for outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and other hardscape features. We build the structural elements that you can then finish with stone veneer, tile, or other decorative surfaces. These structures need proper foundations and engineering to last, which is where our expertise comes in.

Commercial masonry: We handle concrete masonry for commercial buildings including exterior walls, partition walls, equipment enclosures, and dumpster enclosures. These projects must meet commercial building codes and often have specific fire rating requirements that we're familiar with and qualified to meet.

Whatever concrete masonry work you need, we bring the same attention to detail and commitment to quality. These structures are permanent parts of your property, and they deserve to be built right.