Retaining Wall Foundation Creation

Retaining Walls With Longevity

For this commercial endeavor, Oklahoma property owners wanted a high-impact retaining wall that would not only encompass the entire property, but also provide noise and impact barriers against the high-speed traffic that surrounded it. The soil was hard clay that will, at times, be bombarded with large amounts of water; making it necessary to implement drainage at appropriate locations. In addition, the base would need to be dug deeply enough to would provide adequate support for the nearly two-story tall wall.

Plano Brick and Column Repair accomplished this task by establishing anchor points and rebar cages along the foundation. The image above shows that the base channel extends for two feet on either side of the wooden form. Along this channel we placed cantilever anchors. When the soil is back-filled, its weight and pressure short up the retaining wall base; ensuring that it will neither sway nor tilt when the two-story high, triple-wide cinder blocks are stacked into place.

Although projects such as these are rare, the designing engineers who assess the wall’s intended purpose and the geological setting it will be placed in, must understand the complexities of physics in order to build such a massive retaining wall capable of withstanding both external and internal pressures for decades. Plano Brick & Stone Repair, a division of Omega Masonry, has been building large retaining walls for municipalities for twenty years; and brought the expertise and experience necessary to successfully navigate this huge commercial endeavor, (A large Casino in Oklahoma). Omega Masonry and its subsidiaries (Plano Brick & Stone Repair and Plano Column Mailboxes), never cuts corners, and understand the necessity for precision.

Retaining Walls with Versatile Potential…

Homeowners who wish to protect their properties from hillside erosion via the installation of a retaining wall can count on our experience. We begin by consulting with you, in order to gain an understanding of your vision. If you have accumulated ideas, now is the time to show us what you have in mind. After the consultation, we examine the soil and water drainage channels. We continue by determining whether your retaining wall system will fare best with a cantilever base, pilings or anchors; or whether a gravity wall will best suit your purposes. Often, a combination of styles is comprised to ensure the best performance and longevity possible.

Although construction itself is a messy business, Plano Brick & Stone Repair has a reputation to maintain. We work hard to ensure that the work area is kept separate from other property elements; and will always leave the site in pristine condition at the end of each day’s work, and when we depart upon completion.

Simple Retaining Walls…

Retaining walls are built for varying purposes. Some serve to segregate property elements while others are built simply to accommodate raised bed gardens. The most common use of retaining walls is to level a hillside and “retain” the soil behind it to prevent erosion. No matter what its purpose, Plano Brick & Stone Repair applies the same principles required to build enormous retaining walls when designing and building your intimate landscape-enhancing retaining walls.

Retaining Wall Foundations

Not all retaining walls are built the same. Before the first stone is chosen, masonry engineers must determine:

The retaining wall’s purpose
The surrounding geology
The types of soil pressures the wall will be“retaining”
The types of soil which comprise the base of the retaining wall
The inevitable flow of water from both below and above

Retaining Wall stones are either irregular trimmed into block shapes. They come in a variety of colors to match any landscaping or architectural theme. (Artistically enhanced to emulate old-world charm).

Retaining Walls are the perfect medium to showcase raised bed garden landscaping elements.

Designed to showcase landscaping elements adjacent to this home, this simple retaining wall suffices elegantly.

This amazingly beautiful retaining wall encompasses a municipal park. It is constructed using irregular-shaped textured stones for a bold, impressive look.

Retaining Walls are often used to support privacy fences because they extend the height and facilitate adequate drainage channels.

When combined with fencing, retaining walls and support pillars created from stone or brick form an impressive presentation.

We often think that blocks should be laid sideways to emulate stone-laid buildings. Our masons are adroit at determining the orientation of stones so that they each display their best qualities.

This is an example of block stones laid in a horizontal pattern; emulating the look found on chimneys and building architecture.

When planning privacy fences, the use of stone footings for drainage and support is extremely attractive.

Solidly built retaining walls are the perfect medium to support raised decks and patios. They will support the weight of concrete or masonry patio surfaces as well as landscaping or pools. Retaining walls also help architects level drives, sidewalks and other hillside management concerns.

Combined with a column mailbox, this retaining-wall style planter enhances curbside appeal.

This amazingly beautiful retaining wall was added on either side of this column mailbox, forming an inviting entryway.