Control Slope and Stop Soil Movement

Retaining wall installation for residential and commercial properties in Amarillo

When your yard slopes toward a foundation, driveway, or neighboring property, water and soil move downhill with every rain. Retaining walls hold back earth, redirect runoff, and create usable level areas where erosion used to dictate what you could build or maintain. Lace Construction builds retaining walls throughout Amarillo using construction methods designed for local soil composition and drainage patterns common across the region.

Retaining walls are structural barriers built to manage elevation changes and prevent soil from shifting or washing away. They're used in residential yards where grading creates steep slopes, along driveways that sit below street level, and on commercial sites where parking areas or access roads require stable transitions between different heights. These walls can be integrated with drainage solutions to handle water that collects behind the structure, preventing hydrostatic pressure from weakening the installation over time.

Request a retaining wall estimate to review site conditions and discuss material options for your Amarillo property.

What to Expect When You Book

Your retaining wall project begins with a site visit to measure the slope, check soil type, and identify where water moves during storms. In Amarillo, soil conditions vary across neighborhoods, and knowing whether you're working with clay, sand, or mixed fill affects how deep the footer needs to go and whether drainage features should be added behind the wall.

After the wall is built, you'll notice the ground stays in place during heavy rain and the area behind the wall no longer erodes into a low spot. Lace Construction focuses on durable construction methods that account for freeze-thaw cycles and seasonal moisture changes. Retaining walls are designed to last decades when properly installed with correct backfill and compaction.

The installation includes excavation, footer placement, block or stone stacking, backfill with drainage aggregate, and compaction of the soil behind the structure. If your site requires additional grading or tie-ins to existing drainage systems, those elements are planned during the estimate phase. This service does not include decorative landscaping or topsoil placement above the finished wall.

Key Benefits of This Service

Retaining walls address practical problems that show up as cracked pavement, sunken flower beds, or water pooling along foundation lines. These questions cover common concerns about planning and building a retaining wall in Amarillo.

What determines how tall a retaining wall needs to be?
The height depends on how much elevation change you need to control. Walls over four feet typically require engineered designs and may need permits depending on location and proximity to property lines.
How long does a retaining wall installation take?
Most residential retaining walls are completed in two to four days, depending on wall length, height, and site access. Larger commercial installations or walls requiring deep excavation may take longer.
Why does drainage matter behind a retaining wall?
Water collects behind retaining walls and creates pressure that can push the structure forward or cause cracking. Drainage aggregate and weep holes allow water to exit without building up force.
What materials are used for retaining walls in Amarillo?
Common materials include modular concrete blocks, poured concrete, and natural stone. Block systems are widely used because they interlock for stability and allow for some flexibility as soil settles.
When should a retaining wall be replaced instead of repaired?
If the wall is leaning more than two inches, showing large cracks, or has sections that have collapsed, replacement is usually more reliable than attempting repairs. Minor surface cracks or loose cap stones can often be fixed without full removal.

Retaining walls are built to manage forces that don't stop after construction ends, so proper installation matters as much as material choice. Get in touch to schedule a site review and discuss options that fit your property's slope and drainage needs.