Retaining Walls 101

Some warning signs are obvious. Others are easy to overlook until they've already caused damage. Here's what to watch for.

Soil erosion on slopes or hills. If you're losing ground — literally — after heavy rain, the soil on your property is moving in a direction it shouldn't be. Unchecked erosion can undermine foundations, damage landscaping, and eat away at usable yard space over time.

Water pooling near your foundation. Standing water after a storm isn't just a nuisance. It's a sign that your grading isn't directing water away from the house the way it should. A retaining wall combined with proper drainage can redirect water flow and protect your foundation from long-term moisture damage.

Leaning or bowing in an existing wall. If you already have a retaining wall and it's starting to lean, crack, or bow outward, it's under more pressure than it can handle. This doesn't fix itself — it gets worse, and eventually it fails.

Cracking in nearby hardscape or your foundation. Cracks in a patio, walkway, or foundation wall can indicate soil movement beneath the surface. That lateral pressure has to go somewhere, and it often shows up as structural cracking before anything else.

A yard you can't really use. If a steep slope is turning a portion of your property into dead space, a retaining wall can reclaim that area — creating a level surface for a patio, garden beds, or just a flat stretch of lawn the kids can actually play on.

If any of these sound familiar, it's worth getting a professional assessment sooner rather than later. These problems tend to compound over time, and what starts as a minor grading issue can turn into a much more expensive repair down the road.

Types of Retaining Walls and Materials

Not all retaining walls are built the same way, and the right choice depends on the height you need, the look you're going for, and your budget. Here's how the most common options compare.

Poured concrete is the strongest option and the best choice for major grade changes or walls that need to hold back a significant amount of earth. It delivers a clean, modern look and can handle serious structural loads. It's the highest upfront investment, but for large-scale projects it's often the most cost-effective solution over the life of the wall.

Concrete block (segmental) walls are extremely versatile. They come in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures, making them a great fit for both functional and decorative applications. They're well suited for moderate wall heights and offer a strong balance between durability and cost.

Natural stone is the premium choice when aesthetics are a top priority. Stone walls blend naturally with landscaping and deliver a timeless, high-end look that's hard to replicate with manufactured materials. They're ideal for decorative walls, garden terracing, and properties where curb appeal matters.

Timber retaining walls are the most budget-friendly option, but they come with trade-offs. Wood has a significantly shorter lifespan than concrete or stone, and it's best suited for low walls with minimal structural demand. For short-term solutions or small garden borders, timber can work — but for anything that needs to last, other materials are a better investment.

At Brijo Concrete Solutions, we work with quality materials from manufacturers like Nicolock and Belgard to make sure every wall we build is engineered to last. During your consultation, we'll walk through the options and help you choose the right material for your property's specific needs and your budget.

The Installation Process — What to Expect

Knowing what's involved takes the guesswork out of the project. Here's a step-by-step look at how a typical residential retaining wall installation comes together.

Consultation and site assessment. Everything starts with an on-site evaluation. We assess the grade of your property, examine soil conditions, and evaluate drainage patterns. This is where we determine the scope of the project and recommend the right wall type and materials for the job.

Permitting. Depending on the wall height and your local jurisdiction, a permit may be required before construction can begin. In many Maryland counties, walls over four feet require engineered plans and a building permit. We handle this process so you don't have to.

Excavation and base preparation. A retaining wall is only as good as what's underneath it. We excavate to the proper depth and compact a base layer of crushed stone to create a stable, level foundation. Cutting corners here is the number one reason retaining walls fail prematurely — so we don't.

Drainage system installation. This is the step most DIYers and inexperienced contractors skip, and it's the most important one for the long-term performance of the wall. We install perforated drain pipe and drainage aggregate behind the wall to relieve hydrostatic pressure — the buildup of water pressure in the soil that causes walls to lean, crack, and eventually collapse.

Wall construction and backfill. With the foundation set and drainage in place, the wall goes up course by course. Each layer is leveled, set back according to the engineered specifications, and backfilled with drainage stone. For taller walls, we incorporate geogrid reinforcement to anchor the structure into the hillside.

Final grading and cleanup. Once the wall is complete, we finish-grade the surrounding area, address any remaining drainage needs, and leave the site clean. Our clients regularly tell us the job site looks better after we leave than it did before we arrived — and that's by design.

Most residential retaining wall projects are completed within one to two weeks, depending on the size and complexity. We'll give you a clear timeline during the estimate so you know exactly what to expect.

Retaining Walls as a Design Feature

A retaining wall doesn't have to be purely functional. In the hands of the right contractor, it becomes a design element that transforms your outdoor space.

Tiered retaining walls can create distinct zones in your yard — a level upper area for dining, a mid-level garden bed, and a lower space for a fire pit or pool area. They're also a natural way to define planting beds, frame a patio, or add visual depth to a flat or awkward lot.

This is where retaining wall projects often overlap with our hardscaping and landscaping services. Many of our clients start with a wall to solve a grading problem and end up redesigning the entire outdoor space around it — adding a patio, built-in seating, landscape lighting, or new plantings. When one contractor handles the full scope, every element works together and you avoid the headaches of coordinating multiple crews.