Segmental Block Retaining Wall

What This Service Involves

Segmental retaining wall (SRW) blocks lock together without mortar and can be tied back with geogrid reinforcement, making them the go-to choice for taller or load-bearing walls in the Puget Sound region. Their flexible, mortar-free design tolerates the ground movement caused by our saturated, expansive soils. We build in a full gravel drainage chimney and perforated pipe so winter rainfall drains away rather than building destructive water pressure. Each course is set back slightly to lean into the slope, adding long-term stability on steep Western Washington lots.

Benefits

Handles taller walls with geogrid reinforcement; Mortarless design flexes with wet-soil movement; Wide range of colors and textures; Superior built-in drainage capacity; Long service life with minimal maintenance

Our Process

1) Excavate the slope and any geogrid embedment zone; 2) Compact a leveling pad of crushed gravel; 3) Place the base course and check level; 4) Stack units, roll out geogrid layers, and build the gravel drainage zone with drain pipe; 5) Install caps and restore surface grading

What Affects the Cost

Engineered wall height and geogrid reinforcement; Length and number of tiers; Volume of gravel backfill and drainage; Premium block color and finish; Engineering or permit requirements for tall walls

Best Time of Year

Ideal in the drier spring-to-autumn window for compaction, but the mortarless system lets our teams install through much of the PNW wet season.