Concrete Retaining Walls in Dallas
We build retaining walls that hold back soil, manage water, and last. Poured concrete, block construction, and gravity walls engineered for North Texas conditions.
Types of Retaining Walls We Build
Poured concrete retaining walls are the strongest option. We form and pour solid concrete walls reinforced with rebar. These handle the heaviest soil loads and last 50+ years. We pour them for grade changes over 4 feet and for commercial applications.
Concrete block (CMU) retaining walls use hollow blocks filled with concrete and rebar. They're a good mid-range option for walls 2 to 6 feet tall. The block face can be left exposed, parged with stucco, or veneered with stone.
Gravity walls rely on their own weight to hold back soil. We build these from large concrete blocks or poured sections for shorter walls under 3 feet. No footer is needed for most gravity walls, which makes them faster and more affordable to install.
Drainage Behind the Wall
Water pressure behind a retaining wall is the number one cause of failure. We install drainage behind every wall we build. That means a perforated drain pipe at the base, wrapped in filter fabric, backfilled with clean gravel.
The drain pipe ties into a positive outlet — a pop-up emitter, a yard drain, or a connection to the storm system. Water that collects behind the wall gets routed away from the structure instead of building pressure against it.
We also install weep holes in poured concrete walls to allow hydrostatic pressure to relieve naturally. Without proper drainage, even a well-built wall will lean, crack, and eventually fail.
Footers and Engineering
Every retaining wall over 2 feet tall gets a poured concrete footer. The footer width and depth depend on the wall height, soil type, and load behind the wall. Typical residential footers are 12 to 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep with rebar dowels for the wall above.
In Dallas, retaining walls over 4 feet tall generally require engineered plans. The structural engineer specifies the footer size, rebar placement, wall thickness, and drainage requirements based on soil testing and the loads involved.
We handle walls of all sizes. Small garden walls, terraced hillside walls, driveway retaining walls, and large commercial grade walls. For walls that need engineering, we coordinate with local structural engineers to get the design done right.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a retaining wall cost per linear foot?
Small gravity walls run $20 to $40 per linear foot. Block walls run $40 to $80. Poured concrete walls run $60 to $120+ depending on height and engineering. Taller walls cost more per foot because they need larger footers and more reinforcement.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Dallas?
Walls over 4 feet tall typically require a permit and engineered plans. Shorter walls usually don't need a permit but still need to meet setback requirements. Check with your city's building department.
How tall can a retaining wall be without engineering?
Most cities allow walls up to 4 feet without engineering. Anything taller requires a structural engineer's design. Some soil conditions may require engineering even on shorter walls.
What about drainage behind the wall?
Every retaining wall we build includes proper drainage — perforated pipe, filter fabric, and gravel backfill. Skipping drainage is the fastest way to cause a wall failure.
Related Services
Ready to pour?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from a Dallas concrete company that answers the phone, shows up on time, and does the work right.