Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Retaining walls serve critical functions on sloped properties. They hold back soil to create level terraces, prevent erosion on hillsides, manage water runoff, and create usable space on challenging terrain. Without proper retaining walls, slopes can erode during heavy rains, soil can shift and settle, and your landscaping can literally slide downhill. At STC St George Concrete, we design and build retaining walls that solve these problems while enhancing your property's appearance and value.

In Southern Utah, where many properties have significant elevation changes, retaining walls open up possibilities for patios, gardens, driveways, and other features that would not be possible on raw slopes. They transform steep, unusable land into functional outdoor spaces. A well-designed retaining wall system can create multiple level areas that maximize your property's potential.

Retaining walls also address drainage problems by channeling water away from structures and preventing soil saturation that can undermine foundations. Proper drainage design is essential for wall longevity and overall site stability. We incorporate drainage solutions into every retaining wall project to ensure long-term performance and protect your investment.

Common Retaining Wall Applications

• Creating level yards and terraces on sloped lots
• Supporting driveway or walkway grades on hillsides
• Preventing soil erosion along slopes and embankments
• Building raised planting beds and landscape features
• Managing elevation changes between properties
• Protecting structures from soil pressure and sliding
• Creating usable outdoor living spaces on challenging terrain
• Improving drainage and water management on slopes

Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

Poured concrete walls offer maximum strength and durability for demanding applications. We build forms to the designed shape, place reinforcement, then pour concrete to create monolithic walls that handle significant soil pressure. These walls work well for taller installations, heavy loads, or situations requiring custom shapes. The concrete can be left with a natural finish, textured, or faced with stone or other materials for aesthetic appeal.

Poured walls require proper engineering for walls over four feet tall or those retaining significant slopes. The design must account for soil pressure, drainage loads, and any surcharge from structures or slopes above the wall. We work with engineers when required and follow specifications carefully to ensure structural integrity and long-term stability.

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

Concrete masonry blocks provide a versatile and cost-effective option for many retaining wall applications. Interlocking blocks stack without mortar and use gravity and setback angles to resist soil pressure. These systems work well for residential applications and moderate heights. The blocks come in various sizes, colors, and textures, allowing customization to match your landscape design.

Block walls install faster than poured walls and adapt easily to curves and irregular layouts. However, they still require proper base preparation, adequate drainage, and correct installation techniques. We have extensive experience with major block systems and can recommend options that fit your project requirements and budget.

Concrete Masonry Construction

Beyond retaining walls, we provide general concrete masonry services including structural walls, decorative screen walls, pilasters and columns, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, and other concrete block construction. Masonry offers design flexibility, fire resistance, and durability for various residential and commercial applications. We work with standard concrete blocks, decorative blocks, and specialty masonry units to create functional and attractive structures.

Engineering and Planning

Retaining walls are structural elements that must be designed to resist significant forces. Walls over three to four feet tall typically require engineering to ensure they can handle soil pressure, water loads, and any additional loads from slopes or structures above. Even shorter walls benefit from proper design that accounts for soil conditions, drainage requirements, and wall placement.

We evaluate your site conditions including soil type, slope angle, drainage patterns, and proximity to structures. This information helps us recommend the right wall type and design approach. For projects requiring permits, we coordinate with engineers and building officials to obtain necessary approvals before starting construction.

Construction Process

Building a retaining wall starts with excavation and base preparation. The wall needs a solid foundation, typically a compacted gravel base or concrete footing depending on wall type and height. We excavate carefully to avoid undermining adjacent areas and create proper space for wall construction and backfill.

As we build the wall, we install drainage systems including perforated pipe, gravel backfill, and weep holes that allow water to escape rather than building pressure behind the wall. Poor drainage is the leading cause of retaining wall failure, so we never skip these critical elements. We also compact backfill properly to prevent settling that can stress the wall.

For poured walls, we build strong forms, place reinforcement according to specifications, pour concrete in planned lifts, and strip forms after adequate curing. For block walls, we set the first course carefully for proper alignment, then build up courses following manufacturer specifications and design requirements. Each step requires attention to detail because mistakes compromise structural performance.