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San Diego Retaining Walls Near Me: The Three Main Types

Retaining walls serve the fundamental function of supporting soil, and the materials we use to construct them, such as such as blocks or cement, can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscape design.

Some popular types of retaining walls in San Diego include:

Retaining Wall
Gravity Retaining Wall

Gravity Retaining Walls

With proper drainage to prevent water buildup and soil erosion, we design gravity retaining walls to rely on their weight and size to resist the pressure of the backfilled soil. They can be made of concrete, masonry, or stone and are usually thicker at the base than at the top.

They suit relatively low walls, typically up to 3 ft. high. The wall’s weight must be greater than the weight of the soil it is retaining, and the wall must be properly designed to withstand lateral forces caused by the soil.

Reinforced Structural Retaining Wall

A reinforced structural retaining wall is designed to resist the pressure of the soil behind it using additional reinforcements, such as steel bars or geogrids, to increase its strength and stability. The reinforcement offers extra strength to the wall and allows it to resist lateral forces.

These walls can be made of various materials, such as concrete, masonry, or precast blocks, and can be designed for various heights, from low to high. The reinforcement materials are placed inside the wall, then backfilled with soil.

Retaining Wall

Free-Standing Landscape Walls

Free-standing landscape walls are commonly used for aesthetic purposes rather than for structural support. These walls are made of various materials, such as stone and brick, and are typically used to create raised garden beds or to define the edges of outdoor living spaces.

We construct them without reinforcement, relying on their weight and friction to remain in place. While they may not be designed to support significant lateral forces, proper construction and installation are still important to ensure their stability and longevity.

San Diego Retaining Wall Construction Materials

As an outdoor specialist and retaining wall contractor in San Diego, we aim to offer structural solutions on how to have retaining walls level or retain slopes and soil, create more usable landscape space and give added character and texture to your landscape.

As a result, our retaining walls can be built using the following:

Keystone-Legacy

Keystone Legacy

Country-Manor

Country Manor

Stonegate Contemporary

Stonegate Contemporary

Ridgestone

Ridgestone

Precision Concrete Blocks

Precision Concrete Blocks

Splitface Concrete Blocks (CMU / Cinder Blocks)

Splitface Concrete Blocks (CMU / Cinder Blocks)

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    For more information about our San Diego retaining wall and hardscaping solutions, we invite you to reach out to us with the most convenient approach. We can set up an appointment to understand your project, review the requirements, and offer the right solutions.

    San Diego Retaining Wall Permits

    When building your retaining wall in San Diego, we first consider the type of permit required, which may vary depending on the wall and surrounding property features, local regulations and building codes, safety standards, as well as the environmental impact of the structure.

    1 When is a Permit Required for Building a Retaining Wall in San Diego?

    According to the City of San Diego, a retaining wall permit is typically required in these situations:

    1. When the retaining wall is higher than three feet from the top of the footing to the top of the wall.
    2. When the retaining wall is supporting a surcharge, such as driveways, walkways, or structure footings, or impounding flammable liquids.
    3. The retaining wall supports a backfill slope with a steeper ratio than 1.5 horizontal : 1 vertical.
    4. If the wall is designed to support loads that exceed the standard.
    5. The wall is a tiered structure and exceeds a 2:1 slope stability plane ratio.

    2 San Diego Standard Plans for Retaining Walls and Obtaining Permits

    At Better Place Remodeling we can pull all the permits needed for your retaining walls by you must submitting the necessary forms and overseeing the city inspections.

    The retaining walls documents include:

    1. The Plot Plan – Retaining wall plot plans must show the location, dimensions (height and length), and distance from adjacent structures, embankments, and property lines of the wall on the property.
    2. Retaining Wall Plan
    3. General Application
    4. Parcel Information Checklist

    We schedule city inspections at the following times:

    1. After the footing excavations have been finished, the reinforcing steel has been securely tied into position and before the concrete placement.
    2. Once the block has been laid, and the reinforcing steel is in position, but before any grout has been placed.
    3. After grouting and rock or rubble wall drains are in place, but before backfill is placed.
    4. Once all work has been completed.
    Retaining Wall

    Considerations for Retaining Walls in San Diego

    To ensure the retaining walls in your yard are designed and built right, we take a systematic approach to all the work we do as your San Diego retaining wall builder and consider all relevant factors like:

    • The slant of the sloped land
    • Purpose of the wall
    • Length of the required wall
    • Wall height
    • Soil characteristics

    As a result, we design retaining walls to complement your home’s natural surroundings and enhance the overall aesthetic of the landscape. The design should be functional and visually pleasing and will comply with local codes and regulations.

    Where to Place Your Retaining Wall

    The placement, design, and materials used for your retaining wall in San Diego determines its success.

    Before building your unit, we undertake a thorough inspection of your landscape to establish the role of the wall and other factors, such as:

    • Functionality – we build the retaining wall in a location that fulfills its intended function and does not block the natural pathways or views.
    • Drainage – if you want the wall to manage water flow and prevent erosion, we erect it where water naturally flows to help to redirect water and prevent damage to the surrounding area.
    • The Slope Of The Land – Retaining walls in San Diego are used to hold back soil on steep or sloping terrain. The steeper the slope, the more likely a retaining wall is needed.
    • Aesthetics – as a professional San Diego retaining wall designer, we ensure the build location and design of the retaining wall complement the surrounding landscape and blend in with the natural surroundings.

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      FAQs

      Given that this may be a new experience, we provide you with the insights, information and resources to understand your retaining wall process.

      1 How Long Does It Take To Build A Retaining Wall?

      Our construction timelines for retaining walls vary depending on size, materials, design, accessibility, and site complexity. We can quickly build a small wall made of precast concrete blocks, but a large, complex wall can take a few days.

      2 What Type of Retaining Wall is best for my Landscape?

      The retaining wall you decide on will depend entirely on your ideas for your outdoor space and the functional aspects you are looking for. We will also consider different structural and design factors and recommend the best type of retaining wall.

      3 How High Can a Retaining Wall Be in San Diego?

      The maximum height of a retaining wall in San Diego will depend on the area’s specific zoning regulations and building codes. Generally, the maximum height of a retaining wall without a permit is typically around four feet, but this can vary depending on the location and use of the wall.

      4 What are the Most Common Retaining Wall Failures in San Diego?

      Common causes of retaining wall failures in San Diego include:

      1. Poor Drainage – exert hydrostatic pressure on the wall, which can cause the wall to lean, crack, or even collapse.
      2. Soil Movement – often caused by high water tables, can cause retaining walls not built to withstand soil movement to experience instability and failure.
      3. Lack of Maintenance – retaining walls that are not regularly inspected and maintained can experience damage over time, leading to failure.
      4. Overloading – these walls are designed to support an allowable amount of pressure from the load placed on them, and overloading can be a problem.
      5. Improperly Compacted Backfill can cause the wall to experience instability and failure because the walls rely on the soil behind them for support.

      5 How Deep Should Foundation Be For Retaining Walls?

      The foundation depth required for a retaining wall will depend on several factors, including the height of the wall, the type of soil, and the soil’s load-bearing capacity.

      At Better Place Remodeling we dig foundations to a depth where the soil is stable and can support the wall’s weight. We start by determining the soil type, bearing capacity, and wall height, making the foundation wide enough to provide a stable platform for the wall to rest on.

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