Most retaining walls fail from water, not from age: saturated soil behind an undrained wall multiplies the load until the wall leans or gives way. We repair and replace walls with the drainage built in — gravel backfill, drain pipe and weep paths — alongside excavation, grading and the other site work hillside properties need.
What’s included
- Retaining wall repair and replacement — concrete, block and segmental systems
- Drainage behind walls: gravel backfill, drain pipe and weep holes
- Excavation and soil haul-off
- Grading and compaction
- Concrete bases and support posts for decks, fences and structures
- Slope and erosion control work
Typical timeline
Small wall repairs can take a few days; a full wall replacement typically runs about 1–3 weeks.
Common questions
Why do retaining walls lean or fail?
The usual cause is hydrostatic pressure — water trapped in the soil behind the wall. Any rebuild that skips drainage behind the wall is likely to fail the same way, so drainage is part of every wall scope we write.
Does a retaining wall need a permit?
In most Bay Area cities, walls above roughly 3–4 ft, or walls supporting a slope, driveway or structure, require a permit and often engineering. We confirm the rule for your city before quoting.
Every project starts with a free site visit and a written, itemized proposal. Call (520) 858-9998 or use the estimate form — we serve the San Francisco Bay Area.