Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Control erosion, level your yard, and add functional beauty with professionally built retaining walls and masonry structures.
Retaining Walls That Work and Look Great
Retaining walls do more than hold back dirt. They solve real problems on your property. If your yard slopes, a retaining wall creates usable flat space for patios, gardens, or play areas. If you have erosion issues, a properly built wall stops soil from washing away and damaging your property. If water runs where you don't want it, retaining walls redirect drainage to keep your foundation and landscaping dry.
Not all retaining walls are created equal. A wall that's poorly designed or built will fail, sometimes catastrophically. The pressure from soil and water behind a retaining wall is significant. Without proper engineering, drainage, and construction, walls can lean, crack, or collapse. When that happens, you lose both the wall and whatever it was protecting.
We build retaining walls throughout Rexburg and Madison County using concrete block, poured concrete, and natural stone. Each material has advantages depending on your needs, budget, and the look you want. What they all have in common is proper engineering and installation. We calculate the loads, design adequate drainage, build strong foundations, and reinforce as needed. When you work with professional Rexburg masonry contractors, you get walls that stand up to Idaho weather and soil conditions for decades.
Retaining Wall Options for Your Property
Different situations call for different retaining wall solutions. Here's what we build most often and when each type makes sense:
Retaining Wall Types and Applications
- Concrete block walls: Versatile and cost-effective for most residential applications. Available in many styles and colors. Good for walls up to 4 feet high without extensive engineering.
- Poured concrete walls: The strongest option for taller walls or heavy loads. Can be finished smooth, textured, or covered with stone veneer for appearance.
- Natural stone walls: Premium appearance using real stone. More expensive but creates a high-end, natural look that blends with landscaping.
- Segmental retaining wall blocks: Interlocking blocks designed specifically for retaining walls. Easy to work with for curved walls and terraced designs.
- Tiered wall systems: Multiple shorter walls stepped up a slope. Reduces pressure on each wall and creates planting areas between tiers.
- Garden and planter walls: Shorter decorative walls that define spaces and contain raised planting beds without structural requirements of tall walls.
The right choice depends on wall height, soil conditions, drainage requirements, and your budget. Walls under 3 feet are typically straightforward. Walls over 4 feet often require engineering and more complex construction. We assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach. Our experience with concrete foundation work gives us the expertise needed for walls that require substantial structural support.
Beyond Retaining Walls: Concrete Masonry Services
Our masonry capabilities extend beyond retaining walls. We work with concrete block, brick, and stone for many different applications around Rexburg properties. These permanent structures add function and value to your home or business.
We build outdoor fireplaces and fire pits that become the centerpiece of your backyard. There's something special about gathering around a real fire on cool Idaho evenings. We design and build masonry fireplaces that are safe, functional, and beautiful. Fire pits can be simple concrete block circles or elaborate stone structures with built-in seating.
Masonry pillars and columns add architectural interest to driveways, entrances, and patios. They can support pergolas, hold lighting, display house numbers, or simply mark boundaries with style. We build them from brick, block, or stone to match your home's character.
Privacy walls and screen walls create separation between properties or hide unsightly areas like trash enclosures and utility equipment. Block walls provide solid privacy and security. Decorative screen blocks allow air flow while still blocking views. We can incorporate different block patterns and cap materials to make functional walls look attractive.
Garden and landscape walls organize outdoor spaces into distinct areas. Low seat walls around patios provide extra seating for gatherings. Raised planter beds make gardening easier and protect plants from foot traffic. These features transform ordinary yards into designed outdoor living spaces. Our work often coordinates with concrete patio installations to create complete outdoor environments.
Retaining Wall and Masonry Questions
Here are the most common questions about retaining walls and concrete masonry:
In most cases, retaining walls under 4 feet tall don't require formal engineering calculations, though they still need proper construction techniques. Once you go over 4 feet, engineering becomes necessary and often required by building codes. The exact threshold depends on local regulations, soil conditions, and what's above the wall. Even short walls may need engineering if they're supporting structures, have poor soil, or experience heavy water pressure. Taller walls require calculations for lateral pressure, proper drainage design, and adequate reinforcement. We handle the engineering coordination when needed as part of our service. It's better to over-engineer a retaining wall than to build one that fails.
Water is the enemy of retaining walls. When water saturates the soil behind a wall, it increases the pressure significantly and can cause failure. Proper drainage removes this water before it becomes a problem. We install drainage systems behind every retaining wall that include gravel backfill, perforated drain pipe at the base, and weep holes or drainage channels through the wall. In Idaho's climate where ground freezes in winter, trapped water can freeze and expand, creating even more pressure that destroys walls. Good drainage extends wall life from years to decades. It's not optional for walls that will last. Every retaining wall we build includes proper drainage as a standard part of construction.
Retaining wall costs vary widely based on height, length, materials, and site conditions. As a rough guide, basic concrete block walls might run $25 to $40 per square foot of wall face. Poured concrete walls cost more, typically $40 to $60 per square foot. Natural stone walls are premium, often $60 to $100 per square foot or higher. These prices include excavation, drainage, materials, and installation. Difficult access, poor soil, or walls over 4 feet that need engineering add to the cost. The best way to know what your specific wall will cost is to get a detailed estimate based on your property. We provide free quotes that break down all costs so you understand exactly what you're paying for. Investing in a properly built retaining wall costs more upfront but saves you from expensive failures and rebuilds later.
Ready to solve your erosion problems or create more usable space on your property? Contact us for a free consultation. We'll assess your site, discuss options, and provide a detailed estimate for building a retaining wall or masonry structure that will last for generations.