concrete wall beginning

So you have a wood retaining wall that has started to rot and falling apart. It’s time to remove the old wall and replace it, but do I want a new wall made out of wood again? That is a personal choice. Many things need to be considered before making that decision. Cost, installation, suitability, and function are all considerations before making this improvement.


long concrete block wall

Concrete block retaining walls are a viable choice for homeowners in Sacramento. The choices are numerous; sizes, styles, and colors can make your new retaining wall an integral part of your landscape design. If you need help making the final decision, you may want to contact a landscape or general contractor for their opinion on the wall.


We recently installed a concrete block retaining wall in Folsom, Ca. The old wooden retaining wall lasted about 15 years and no longer retained the soil. The owners had to weigh the cost of upgrading to a block wall, but the cost was not much greater than the traditional wood wall. Once the choice was made, we got to work.


One thing that we needed to do was remove several yards of roots, rocks, and dirt. We had to do this because the new wall was deeper than the wood wall. A 2x12 board is only 1.5 inches thick; the new wall was 7 inches thick. In addition, we added drainage rock and a drain pipe on the soil side of the new wall; this required removing over 12 inches of dirt across the length of the backyard.


short concrete block retaining wallRetaining walls have come a long way in the last few years. Contacting a contractor with experience in retaining walls, can help in understanding what is involved with the outdoor improvement. If you do choose the use concrete blocks to replace that old wooden retaining wall, there are a number of choices that will add value to your home.

 

 


 


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Specialists in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs

 

 

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Tom Arstingstall
Tromler Construction
General Contractor
Specializing in Dry Rot and Water Damage Repairs

916-765-5366
 Water Damage Repair in Sacramento Dry Rot Repair Contractor in Sacramento

E-mail Contact

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24 Comments on Concrete Block Retaining Walls - Holding Back The Soil With Style

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAY
12
2012
598,961 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good morning Tom

Concrete Block Retaining Walls - Holding Back The Soil With Style.  Indeed this is an eye catching retaining wall.  I hope to re-post it next week if you don't mind. 

Have a great weekend in all you do my friend.

 
6:41am • #5
861,382 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Too bad it is so expensive to put one in...If that is not a problem, one wonders why the freeways don't have the prettier ones
6:59am • #6
284,358 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Beautiful work, Tom! In Canada one of the most important aspects to a retaniing wall is the drainage because of our freeze/thaw cycle. Nothing will wreck all that hard work faster than having ice push it out. Nice job!
7:17am • #7
301,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Tom. Nice work on that wall. It looks really good!                              
7:55am • #8
549,345 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Tom, great work.  That fabric, which I assume is water tight, and the drainage are key, as I have recently learned.
8:31am • #9
569,544 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Tom,  We have our version of a retaining wall here in Florida.  Ours is a very flat state so the retaining walls here are used to line the canals found all over the state.  The retaining walls are almost always concrete and are anchored to " deadmen " buried deep in the soil.
9:49am • #10
1,057,838 Points 246 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tom- Would may seem attractive at first but I like the idea of the concrete wall.  And I like the looks of the one in the last photo. 
6:25pm • #11
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I would be honored John, reblog it!
7:41pm • #12
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'm not sure what is involved in the determination of the freeway retaining and sound walls Richie. I'm sure cost is one of many factors.
7:42pm • #13
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Peg, we don't have that sort of freezing issue that you have with the retaining wall being pushed out. I can see that it may be a problem.
7:42pm • #14
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Sandy.

Can I put you on my list of Concrete Retaining Walls to do?
7:43pm • #15
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

The fabric is an intigral part of the drainage system. The fabric is not water proof, it is used to filter the soil away from the drainage rock Chris.
7:59pm • #16
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

 

Anchoring the wall deeply makes for a stronger wall system Bill, especially on the taller walls.
8:00pm • #17
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I believe in the long run, the concrete block wall makes more sense. It lasts longer, there is a greater variety of choices, and is much more pleasing on the eyes Kathy.
8:00pm • #18
572,144 Points 25 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Tom - Sounds like a lot of work, but the end result is sure beautiful!  You do good work!!
8:29pm • #19
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Susan, I appreciate that coming from you.

Retaining Walls can add so much to the landscape, it is worth the work.
8:59pm • #20
MAY
13
2012
230,369 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You do nice work Tom.  I think decorative concrete is an excellent choice when choosing between wood materials and something more permanant. 
12:32am • #21
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I would agree Doug, in the long term concrete makes sense.
7:54pm • #22
JUN
04
2012
4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tom, good input for anybody thinking about updating/redoing their retaining wall, I like that you added photos, the visual really helps on a landscaping topic.
5:50am • #23
802,193 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

A photo os worth a thousand words Tanja, and it does help to see the project being described.

Thanks for the comment today.
6:52am • #24

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Tom Arstingstall - An Uncommon Contractor (Tromler Construction): Builder-Contractor in Placerville, CA

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