Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry
Structural retaining walls and masonry work that hold back soil, prevent erosion, and create usable outdoor spaces on your property.
Why Your Property May Need a Retaining Wall
Retaining walls serve a structural purpose first and foremost. They hold back soil on sloped properties, prevent erosion, and create level areas that would otherwise be unusable. In Arizona, where monsoon rains can cause severe washout damage in minutes, properly built retaining walls protect your property, landscaping, and neighboring properties from soil movement and erosion.
Beyond their structural role, retaining walls also create dramatic landscape features. They add tiers and dimension to flat lots, define planting areas, create raised garden beds, and provide seating or border elements for outdoor living spaces. A well-designed retaining wall system can transform a problem slope into an attractive, functional landscape that adds real value to your home.
At JJC Tempe Concrete, we build retaining walls that are engineered for strength and designed for beauty. Every wall we construct starts with proper footings, includes adequate drainage, and uses quality materials that stand up to Arizona's climate. We do not build decorative walls that will lean and fail in a few years. We build walls that perform their structural function reliably for decades.
Retaining Wall and Masonry Services
- •Structural retaining walls for slope stabilization
- •Concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls and fencing
- •Decorative landscape walls and raised planters
- •Seat walls for patios and outdoor living areas
- •Retaining wall repair and reconstruction
Whether you need a small garden wall or a large structural retaining system, we have the experience and expertise to build it correctly.
Types of Retaining Walls We Build
Different situations call for different wall construction methods. We work with multiple materials and techniques to match the right solution to your property's specific needs, budget, and aesthetic goals.
Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls are the workhorses of retaining wall construction. They are strong, durable, and versatile. We build block walls using reinforced concrete blocks filled with grout and rebar for maximum structural strength. These walls can be finished with stucco, stone veneer, or decorative block faces to match any architectural style. CMU walls are excellent for taller retaining applications where significant soil pressure needs to be managed.
Poured Concrete Retaining Walls
For maximum strength and a clean, modern look, poured concrete walls are hard to beat. We form and pour these walls as a single monolithic structure with steel reinforcement throughout. Poured walls are ideal for large-scale retention, commercial applications, and situations where the wall must support heavy loads like vehicles or structures above. The smooth finish can be left exposed for a contemporary appearance or faced with stone or tile for a more traditional look.
Segmental Retaining Walls
Segmental retaining wall systems use interlocking concrete blocks that stack together without mortar. These systems are popular for landscape walls under 4 feet tall because they are attractive and cost-effective. The blocks come in various colors, textures, and shapes that create natural-looking walls without the cost of natural stone. For taller applications, segmental walls can be reinforced with geogrid fabric layers tied back into the soil behind the wall.
We help you choose the right wall type based on the height needed, soil conditions, load requirements, and your design preferences. Each type has strengths that make it ideal for certain situations, and our experience helps you make the best choice.
Building Walls That Last in Arizona
Retaining wall failures are common in Arizona, and almost every failure can be traced back to one of three causes: inadequate drainage, insufficient footings, or poor engineering. We address all three on every project to ensure your wall performs reliably for its entire service life.
Proper Footings
Every retaining wall starts with a concrete footing that distributes the wall's weight and the soil pressure across a wide enough area to prevent settling and sliding. The footing must extend below the frost line, though in Arizona this is less of a concern than in northern climates. More importantly, the footing must be wide enough and deep enough to resist the overturning forces that soil pressure creates. We size footings based on the wall height, soil conditions, and any additional loads the wall must support.
Drainage Systems
Drainage behind a retaining wall is not optional. Water is the number one enemy of retaining walls. When water saturates the soil behind a wall, the pressure against the wall can double or triple compared to dry conditions. We install perforated drain pipes at the base of every wall, surrounded by clean gravel that allows water to flow freely to the pipe. The pipe carries water to a discharge point away from the wall. Weep holes through the wall face provide additional pressure relief.
In Arizona, monsoon season brings intense rainfall that can overwhelm poorly designed drainage systems in minutes. Our drainage designs account for these heavy rain events, not just normal irrigation runoff. This extra capacity is what prevents failures during the storms that put the most stress on your wall.
From foundation work to the final cap block, every component of our retaining walls is installed with long-term performance in mind. We build walls that protect your property through every monsoon season and every decade of Arizona sun.
Common Questions About Retaining Walls & Masonry
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