Hardscaping
Retaining Walls
Hold the hill, gain the space. Retaining walls built with real drainage behind them, so they stay straight through every freeze and thaw.
A retaining wall is holding back tonnes of soil and water. When one leans, bulges or cracks, it's almost always because of the base or the drainage. Groundwork Landscaping builds walls on a compacted granular base with the first course buried, backfills with clear stone, adds drainage pipe behind, and uses grid reinforcement where the height calls for it.
What's included
- Wall layout to level out slopes, create planters or frame a patio.
- Excavation for the base and the reinforcement zone behind the wall.
- A compacted base, with the first course of block buried below grade.
- Drainage behind the wall, with perforated pipe and clear stone backfill.
- Geogrid reinforcement for taller walls, as the design requires.
- Caps glued down to finish the top, with lighting built in if you'd like.
How a wall is built
- Locate and design. Utilities located, height and loads checked, and a design for taller walls.
- Base course. Base compacted and the first row set perfectly level.
- Build up. Each course set back slightly, backfilled and compacted as it rises.
- Cap and finish. Caps set, soil graded and the area cleaned up.
Taller walls need more
Walls over about one metre, or walls holding up a driveway, building or slope, can need an engineered design and a building permit. We check before we build. Walls pair naturally with patios, steps and drainage work.
What affects the cost of retaining walls
Walls are priced on the face area, meaning length times height, and the block or stone used. Taller walls need deeper bases, geogrid reinforcement, more drainage and sometimes an engineered design and permit. Curves, steps built into the wall, corners, caps, lighting and tight access all add to the price.
Retaining Walls questions
Why do retaining walls fail?
Most failures come from water building up behind the wall, a base that wasn't compacted, or a wall too tall for its design. Drainage and a proper base prevent most of them.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Low garden walls usually don't. Taller walls, roughly over one metre, or walls near property lines, buildings or public areas may need a permit and an engineer.
Block or natural stone?
Segmental block is engineered, consistent and great for taller walls. Natural stone and armour stone look rugged and suit gardens and shorelines.
Can you fix my leaning wall?
Often, by taking down the failing section, rebuilding the base and drainage and re-setting the block. Severe failures may need a full rebuild.
Can a wall have lights built in?
Yes. Lights can be set under the caps or in the wall face while it's being built, with the cable hidden inside the wall.
How long does a retaining wall take to build?
Most garden walls take a few days. Taller walls, curves, steps and engineered walls take longer, especially if permits are needed first.
Can I plant on top of a retaining wall?
Yes. Shrubs and perennials planted behind a wall soften it nicely. Large trees too close to the wall can push on it as their roots grow.
Can a retaining wall help my drainage?
It can be part of the fix, with drainage pipe behind it and the grade reshaped around it, but water still needs a planned outlet.
Where we offer retaining walls
We provide retaining walls for homes and businesses in Windsor, LaSalle and Tecumseh. See what to expect in your area:
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