Retaining Walls & Concrete Masonry

Retaining walls serve an important purpose. They hold back soil on slopes and uneven terrain. Without a retaining wall, soil can erode and wash away. This creates problems for your landscape, foundation, and drainage. A well-built retaining wall prevents erosion, manages water flow, and creates usable flat space on sloped properties. It also adds visual interest and structure to your yard.

In Dover, NH, many properties have slopes or grade changes. These can be natural features or the result of construction and landscaping. If your property slopes toward your house, water can flow toward your foundation. This leads to basement flooding, foundation damage, and other expensive problems. A retaining wall redirects water away from your home. It also prevents soil from sliding down the slope and accumulating where you do not want it.

Retaining walls also create usable space. A sloped backyard is hard to use. You cannot put a patio on a slope. Mowing is difficult and dangerous. By terracing the slope with retaining walls, you create flat areas for patios, gardens, play areas, and more. This makes your property more functional and more valuable. Buyers appreciate flat, usable outdoor space. A well-designed retaining wall system can significantly increase your property's appeal.

At Brickhaven Dover Concrete, we design and build retaining walls that are both functional and attractive. We consider the height, load, drainage, and appearance. A retaining wall is not just about holding back dirt. It is about solving problems and improving your property. We take the time to understand your needs and design a solution that works long term.

Building a retaining wall is not as simple as stacking blocks or pouring concrete. Proper design and engineering are critical. Here is what we consider:

• •Height and Load: The height of the wall determines how much pressure it must withstand. Taller walls experience more force from the soil behind them. We design the wall to handle this load safely. For walls over 4 feet, engineering calculations are often required by code. We work with engineers when necessary to ensure compliance and safety.
• •Drainage: Water is the enemy of retaining walls. When water saturates the soil behind a wall, it increases pressure and can cause failure. We install drainage systems behind the wall to relieve this pressure. This typically includes gravel backfill and perforated drain pipes that carry water away. Proper drainage is non-negotiable for long-term performance.
• •Foundation: A retaining wall needs a solid foundation. We excavate below the frost line and install a compacted gravel base or poured footing. This prevents the wall from shifting or settling. Skipping this step leads to problems down the road. We do not cut corners on foundations.
• •Reinforcement: Depending on the wall type and height, we may add reinforcement. This could be rebar in poured walls, geogrid in block walls, or tie-backs in taller walls. Reinforcement adds strength and prevents failure. It is an investment in the longevity of the wall.
• •Soil Conditions: The type of soil affects wall design. Clay soils retain water and create more pressure. Sandy soils drain better but may not provide as much stability. We assess the soil and adjust our design accordingly. Sometimes we need to improve the soil or use additional reinforcement.
• •Aesthetics: A retaining wall should enhance your landscape, not detract from it. We consider color, texture, and how the wall integrates with existing features. Curves, steps, and terraces add visual interest. We design walls that are both functional and beautiful.

Retaining walls are structural elements. They need to be designed and built correctly. Poorly built walls fail, causing expensive damage and safety hazards. We take this seriously. Every wall we build is engineered to last and designed to perform. If you also need other landscape work like patios or walkways, we can coordinate everything for a cohesive result.