Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Expert retaining wall construction and concrete masonry services to solve drainage issues and add structure to your property.
(956) 899-5558
Why You Need a Retaining Wall
Sloped yards create real problems for homeowners. Water runs downhill during heavy rain, carrying soil with it and creating erosion that gets worse every year. This washing away of soil undermines foundations, damages landscaping, and creates muddy messes that are hard to fix without proper drainage control.
A properly built retaining wall holds back soil and redirects water to where you want it. This protects your foundation, creates usable flat space on sloped property, and stops erosion before it causes serious damage. In McAllen, TX, our occasional heavy rainstorms can move a surprising amount of soil in just a few hours. A retaining wall gives you peace of mind when the weather turns bad.
Retaining walls also add visual interest to your landscape. Instead of a plain slope, you get defined levels that create natural spaces for planting beds, seating areas, or decorative features. We design walls that solve your drainage problems while improving how your property looks and functions.
Problems retaining walls solve:
- •Soil erosion that washes away your yard during heavy rain
- •Sloped yards that are difficult to use or maintain
- •Foundation damage caused by water flowing toward your home
- •Limited usable space on properties with steep grades
- •Landscaping that gets damaged by runoff and soil movement
Types of Retaining Walls and Masonry
Poured concrete retaining walls offer maximum strength for challenging sites. These monolithic walls can handle significant soil pressure and work well for walls over 4 feet tall. We install proper footings below the frost line, add reinforcement where needed, and include drainage systems to prevent water buildup behind the wall.
Concrete block walls provide a cost-effective option for most residential applications. We use reinforced concrete blocks that interlock and fill with concrete for stability. These walls go up faster than poured walls and still deliver decades of reliable performance. You can finish them with stucco, stone veneer, or leave the blocks exposed for an industrial look.
Beyond retaining walls, we handle all types of concrete masonry work. This includes garden walls, privacy walls, outdoor kitchen structures, and fire pit surrounds. Each project gets engineered to handle its specific loads and weather exposure. We know which materials and construction methods work best for different applications.
Masonry services we provide:
- •Poured concrete retaining walls for challenging sites
- •Concrete block walls with various finish options
- •Garden walls and decorative landscape structures
- •Outdoor kitchen and fire pit construction
- •Privacy walls and property boundary structures
Looking for other concrete solutions? We also offer concrete repair services and decorative concrete options.
Our Construction Process
Every retaining wall project starts with a site evaluation. We measure the slope, test soil conditions, and determine how much pressure your wall needs to resist. This engineering work happens before we start digging, which prevents failures that show up months or years later when walls crack or lean.
Next, we excavate for the footing and prepare the base. The footing must sit on undisturbed soil or properly compacted fill. We dig below the frost line and wide enough to distribute the wall load safely. For tall walls or poor soil conditions, we add extra reinforcement and deeper footings to ensure long-term stability.
As we build the wall, we install drainage systems that prevent water from building up behind the structure. This typically includes drainage pipes, gravel backfill, and weep holes that let water escape. Without proper drainage, even a well-built wall can fail when water pressure builds up during heavy rain.
We finish by backfilling carefully and compacting in layers. Dumping all the dirt at once can damage your new wall. Taking time to do this right ensures your wall performs as designed. After the concrete cures fully, you have a structure that will hold back soil and control water for decades without major maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to solve your slope and drainage problems? Contact us today for a site evaluation and detailed quote.
(956) 899-5558