Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Strong, attractive retaining walls and masonry work that controls slopes and enhances your property.
Solving Slope and Erosion Problems
Sloped properties present both challenges and opportunities. Without proper management, slopes erode during heavy rains, washing away soil and creating muddy messes. Steep grades make parts of your yard unusable and difficult to maintain. Retaining walls solve these problems by holding back soil and creating level areas you can actually use. Here at PlatinumPoint Salem Concrete, we design and build retaining walls that control erosion, prevent soil movement, and transform unusable slopes into functional outdoor spaces.
Retaining walls do more than just hold back dirt. They protect foundations from soil pressure, create terraced garden beds, define property boundaries, and add architectural interest to your landscape. A well-designed retaining wall system can turn a challenging sloped lot into a showcase property with multiple usable levels. Whether you need a small garden wall or a substantial structure to support a new patio or driveway, we build walls that combine structural integrity with attractive appearance.
Common Retaining Wall Applications
- Slope stabilization to prevent erosion
- Creating level areas for patios or play spaces
- Supporting driveways on sloped properties
- Terraced garden beds for easier planting and maintenance
- Protecting foundations from soil pressure
- Defining property boundaries with attractive structures
Choosing the Right Wall System
Several types of retaining wall systems work well in our area. The best choice depends on wall height, soil conditions, appearance preferences, and budget. Segmental block walls use manufactured concrete blocks that stack without mortar. These walls install relatively quickly and offer many attractive styles and colors. For taller walls or situations requiring maximum strength, poured concrete walls provide excellent structural performance. Natural stone walls create a timeless look that suits traditional New England properties.
Engineered Block Systems
Modern segmental retaining wall blocks represent excellent engineering. The blocks interlock securely and rely on mass and gravity for stability rather than mortar joints that can crack. These systems include built-in drainage features that relieve water pressure behind the wall. Installation goes faster than poured walls since there is no curing time required. You can choose from dozens of block styles, sizes, and colors to match your home and landscape. Many blocks feature textured faces that look like natural stone at a fraction of the cost.
Poured Concrete Walls
For tall walls or situations with difficult soil conditions, poured concrete provides unmatched strength. We build substantial footings below the frost line, install steel reinforcement, and pour concrete walls that can handle significant earth loads. These walls work well for supporting driveways or building pads where structural requirements are demanding. The exposed face can be left smooth, given a decorative finish, or faced with stone or brick veneer for aesthetic appeal. Properly engineered poured walls last indefinitely when built with adequate drainage and reinforcement.
Building Walls That Last
Retaining walls fail when they are not properly engineered or built. We see many DIY walls and contractor walls that lean, crack, or collapse within a few years. The problem usually comes down to inadequate drainage, insufficient base preparation, or poor design. Water pressure behind walls causes most failures. As soil behind the wall gets saturated, it becomes much heavier and pushes harder on the wall. Without proper drainage to relieve this pressure, even strong walls can fail.
Our installation process addresses these critical factors. We excavate to stable soil and create a level, compacted base. Drainage systems get installed behind the wall to collect and redirect water. For taller walls, we may install geogrid reinforcement that extends back into the retained soil, essentially making the soil mass part of the wall structure. These engineering principles ensure our walls perform reliably for decades. Walls over 4 feet tall may require engineering calculations and building permits, which we handle as part of the project.
Drainage Design
We install perforated drain pipe at the base of every retaining wall, surrounded by drainage stone. This collects water that would otherwise build up behind the wall and pipes it to a suitable outlet. The backfill material directly behind the wall uses free-draining gravel rather than clay soil. Weep holes in the wall face allow water to escape. These multiple drainage strategies work together to keep water pressure under control. Good drainage is the most important factor in long-term wall performance.
Concrete Masonry Services
Beyond retaining walls, we provide a full range of concrete masonry services. This includes decorative block walls, concrete columns and posts, outdoor kitchens and fire pits, and concrete steps and landings. Masonry work adds permanent, low-maintenance structures to your property that enhance functionality and appearance. Whether you want a privacy wall, a decorative entrance feature, or structural elements for an outdoor living space, we have the skills and experience to build what you envision.
Combining Materials and Techniques
- Concrete foundations with stone or brick veneer facing
- Poured concrete walls with decorative cap blocks
- Segmental block walls with integrated lighting
- Natural stone facing over concrete backing
- Combination walls and concrete work for tiered landscapes
We often combine different materials and techniques to achieve the best results. A poured concrete wall might receive a natural stone veneer for aesthetic appeal while maintaining structural strength. Block walls can incorporate decorative capstones, lighting elements, or contrasting colors. These combinations let you get exactly the look you want while ensuring the underlying structure performs as needed. We work with you during design to explore options that fit your style and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Build Your Retaining Wall?
Contact us today for a free site evaluation and estimate on your retaining wall project.