Retaining walls
Holding back real soil load, which means the drainage behind the wall matters as much as the wall.
A wall is a drainage project with stone on the front
Most failed retaining walls did not fail because the blocks were wrong. They failed because water built up behind them. Saturated soil is far heavier than dry soil, and in a New Jersey winter that water freezes and pushes. A wall built without drainage behind it is a wall on a timer.
What goes in behind
- A compacted base below the first course, set below grade so the wall cannot slide
- Free draining stone backfill rather than the soil that came out of the hole
- A drain line at the base to take water away rather than let it collect
- Geogrid reinforcement into the slope on taller walls, tied back into the soil behind
None of that is visible once the job is finished, which is exactly why it is the first thing dropped from a cheap quote.
Materials
Segmental block. Engineered units designed to lock together, available in a wide range of colors and textures. The usual answer for structural walls.
Natural stone. More character and more labor. Suits older properties and garden settings.
Poured and faced concrete. Used where the structural demand is high and the finish can be applied to the face.
Height and engineering
Low garden walls and tall structural walls are different projects. Above a certain height, and in some municipalities at lower heights than people assume, a retaining wall needs engineering and permitting. We will tell you which side of that line your wall sits on before the work is booked rather than after.
Common questions
How tall can a retaining wall be without engineering?
It varies by municipality and by what is behind the wall. Some towns are stricter than others, and a slope or a driveway above the wall changes the answer. We check your town before quoting.
Why does my existing wall bulge?
Almost always water pressure behind it, sometimes combined with a base that was not set deep enough. A bulging wall is worth looking at sooner rather than later, because the failure is usually gradual and then sudden.
Can a wall be repaired or does it need rebuilding?
Depends whether the problem is the face or the base. Cosmetic damage can be repaired. A wall that is leaning or bulging has usually lost the fight underneath, and rebuilding is the honest answer.
Can a retaining wall include steps or seating?
Yes, and both are much easier to build in from the start than to add afterwards.
This page was last updated in September 2026.
Ready for a straight answer on your project?
Call (973) 489-3642 or send a couple of photos and we will tell you what the job actually needs.