Retaining Walls for the Bay Area

Commercial-Grade Retaining Walls That Improve Drainage and Soil Stability

Does Your Property Need a Retaining Wall?

Do I need a retaining wall? It’s a question we hear a lot at Airtight Construction when working on commercial construction projects. Retaining walls are a key part of any landscape design, and while they should look good, they can also help control critical aspects of your property’s terrain—from how water flows to guarding against soil erosion by holding back dirt.

Retaining walls provide an attractive solution for the challenges of sloping or unstable terrains by turning unusable or unstable land into an asset. When properly designed, they can also be used to improve security. Ultimately, retaining walls enable you to sculpt a landscape that matches your construction needs when the natural environment is suboptimal.

As a retaining wall contractor, Airtight Construction has been shaping and transforming business landscapes in the San Francisco area for over two decades. We’ve become trusted leaders in the field, regularly designing and constructing retaining walls with either cinder blocks or reinforced concrete.

How Do Retaining Walls Work?

Typically made from interlocking blocks, stone, or poured concrete, retaining walls work by protecting the landscape from excessive soil movement and drainage issues. They can be used to reinforce building foundations and structures, add surface area to paved parking lots, or help hold the existing landscape in place.

By “retaining” a wedge of dirt in the landscape, a well-designed retaining wall provides counter-forces that prevent gravity, lateral earth pressure, and water from pulling soil downhill. That’s why poorly designed retaining walls often fail. Without the correct design and balance of forces, it isn’t long before earth’s natural forces win.

In some areas a retaining wall can be installed into the landscape as-is, while others may require excavation or related work. It’s also essential for drainage to be considered in the design. In some cases, you may use it to retain water, although mostly they are built to self-drain or with built-in drainage systems. Proper drainage also cuts down on pressure against the wall, stabilizing the entire system.

Walls over four inches tall generally need a permit prior to starting construction in Northern California, which can affect the price and cost of your project. The Airtight Construction team has the experience and expertise to ensure your project is well designed and built to last as well as correctly permitted. We design our retaining walls to look as good as they function since they are a prominent part of the landscape and have a significant effect on the look and feel of your property.

An expert retaining wall contractor like ATC helps you make the very best choice of materials, style, and functionality for your project, leaving you with an aesthetically pleasing, functional solution that will last for years.

Retaining Wall Planning

Building a retaining wall can help improve the appearance and reliability of your building and the surrounding landscape, but it takes expert planning to get it right.

Before you start the project, you should consider several factors, including:

Location: Make sure that you aren’t planning a block retaining wall over underground utilities. These may include sewerage lines, water supply lines, or stormwater drains.
Natural water drainage in the area: You don’t want to obstruct the flow of water in the area or divert water toward your building.
The soil: Ensure that the soil can bear the weight of the retaining wall.
Wall design: The design of the retaining wall must reduce the pressure of the soil behind the wall. If the force is stronger than that of gravity, then you must reinforce the wall to prevent any chance of collapse.
Drainage: Water is the biggest culprit when it comes to retaining wall failure. It’s critical that the retaining wall system allows water drainage. Simple systems such as gravel backfilling and water drainage holes in block retaining walls are often enough to allow for effective water drainage.

Once you have put together the plans, it’s time to choose the most suitable wall for your project. The retaining wall that best suits your property will depend on the height and natural conditions.

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Types of Retaining Walls

Airtight Construction regularly builds one of five main types of retaining walls to help you sculpt your outdoor space. We work with you to determine which style of retaining wall is best for your space, including:

Cantilever Walls

Cantilever walls rely on strengthened concrete to form a horizontal base slab connected to a vertical concrete wall that retains the soul. They’re generally constructed in the shape of an “L” or upside-down “T.”

While cantilever walls can withstand significant forces, they aren’t as strong as other types of retaining walls. When they aren’t properly constructed, they can begin to shift or tilt forward over time.

However, they remain a popular choice on smaller projects and are often used on retail premises as they hold a substantial volume of dirt for their size and are easy to custom pour.

Gabion Mesh Walls

Gabion mesh retaining walls are often used for small projects or where flowing water is an issue. They consist of metal mesh ‘blocks’ filled with heavy material like loose stone or rocks, and they work much like gravity retaining walls where each block is carefully assembled into to form a wall with natural drainage.

The loose material allows water to pass through easily while the weight of the blocks prevents erosion. They only last as long as the wire mesh, however, as it will eventually rust. That said, they can be a cost-effective option for small areas with soil or drainage issues.

Anchored Walls

Sometimes called secured walls, anchored walls use steel cables or steel strips secured deep in the ground for additional strength. They’re often anchored by pressurized concrete or drilling.

While anchored walls are one of the most complex wall designs, they are excellent for areas where you need a small wall to hold back a lot of soil or when the landscape requires taller walls.

Sheet Piling Walls

Sheet piling retaining walls are commonly used in tight spaces because they are driven directly into the ground. They require a groove design to ensure they can support sufficient weight and are best used to hold back smaller volumes of soft dirt. If they’re needed in a larger space, they almost always need reinforcement and can be used in combination with anchored retaining walls. They’re also a common temporary retaining wall design.

Gravity Walls

Gravity walls are the simplest and most common type of retaining wall. They are generally made of cinderblocks and rely on the force of gravity to resist stress and hold back dirt. While a gravity wall has a very simple (and ancient) design, it remains popular due to its versatility and affordability. Some degree of trenching or excavation is often required to ensure a gravity wall can withstand the test of time.

Retaining Wall Material Options

Along with an understanding of retaining wall construction options, it’s also important to understand the different materials options and how they impact performance and longevity.

Natural Retaining Walls

Natural retaining walls can refer to two things, and this often creates an area of confusion. Any style of retaining wall—from concrete retaining walls to block retaining walls—can be faced with natural stone to provide an organic look. This is a popular styling choice because it allows you to construct the most reliable type of wall for your landscape while improving the overall appearance of the wall itself.

On the other hand, some construction companies refer to gravity walls built with stone as natural stone retaining walls. These are meant for light and small projects and are not suitable for larger areas or for heavy erosion prevention as on many commercial projects. While they can be a more affordable option that supports the landscape, they’re often used as semi-retaining walls, used to help divert runoff water and ensure good water management on the property.

Brick or Block Retaining Walls

Brick and block retaining walls provide a versatile option that blends well with most landscapes while offering a diverse range of materials to choose from. The wall is assembled from the blocks, which means it can also be staggered, tapered, or curved, depending on the landscape and natural forces. It can also be assembled with gaps to ensure excellent drainage. The blocks in block retaining walls are often dry-stacked.

Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

Poured concrete retaining walls can be customized and shaped to an even higher degree than block retaining walls. This means they integrate well into almost any landscape, no matter the size and shape. They also have a clean aesthetic and can be camouflaged with a natural finish if necessary. When correctly designed, drained, and back-filled, a concrete retaining wall is a reliable and long-lasting choice, and it can be used on virtually any project.

Wood Retaining Walls

Because timber does not hold up well against moisture, wood retaining walls are rarely used on commercial projects. They can, however, be used with some success for small, temporary projects, or in smaller areas when the shorter lifespan and lack of tensile strength are not issues.

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Block Retaining Walls: The Durable Choice for Sloped Yards and Landscaping

Custom Retaining Wall Designs

At Airtight Construction, we understand that the landscape of your property is unique. Every retaining wall project requires a custom touch that maximizes soil stability and drainage. Our experts design, source, and build retaining walls that look as good as they perform while withstanding the test of time. We work with you to achieve the look you want within your budget and property constraints. Contact us today to request a quote or start planning your retaining wall.

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Years of Experience as a Retaining Wall Installer

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