Block retaining walls education and training is available for all levels of builders, from home or business owners who want to install a retaining wall themselves to seasoned professional contractors looking to add the service to their business offerings.

Block retaining walls add beauty and interest to a landscape and also provide erosion control. Small walls can be simple to build, but some instruction and guidance is necessary. There are two types of retaining walls, standard and segmental or modular blocks, and a variety of materials available to build retaining walls. To learn to select materials and build a block retaining wall consider the following:

1. Locate resources that give information about types and pricing for block retaining walls.

2. Find guides for building block retaining wall solutions.

3. Look for advanced information about commercial retaining wall construction.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get an overview of block retaining wall design and construction

The first step is to learn more about retaining walls. Find out about their uses, related products and designs and the types of materials available. Standard retaining blocks are used in residential and small commercial settings. Segmental retaining walls are used in commercial and public applications, including rivers, run-off channels and along highways and overpasses.

I recommend: Get more information about retaining walls, and a comparison of products from several manufacturers, at Paver Search. GoStructural from Structural Engineers provides information about retaining walls for commercial and structural applications.

Learn to build simple concrete block retaining walls

For small jobs, some simple guidance may be all that is required. A small block retaining wall can be completed in a short amount of time and for a limited budget.

I recommend: Ask The Builder offers books that provide research and instruction on building a retaining wall. Do It Yourself and Hometime provide quick and simple instructions for building retaining walls.

Get advanced training in commercial retaining walls

Industry knowledge and specialty manufacturer instruction is essential for new and seasoned contractors. Those just starting out at building retaining walls as a service can get expert guidance and support from online resources and manufacturer programs. Even experienced contractors can stay up to date on trends and new installation methods.

I recommend: The Contractor Resource Center offers guides for running a profitable business as a retaining wall contractor as well as advanced construction techniques. Anchor Wall Systems provides professional installation guides for contractors. Allan Block offers advanced training and certification in installing their retaining wall products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get complete information about retaining wall construction and pricing before deciding to do the job yourself. The services of a landscaping expert may be necessary when a retaining wall is used for structural purposes or erosion control.

Block retaining walls are a staple in the contracting business, whether you work residential, commercial or government jobs. Whether your client wants one for attractive landscaping or for the more practical purpose of erosion control, there are several retaining wall solutions to consider.

For each job, your client may need a different type of block retaining wall. Essentially, there are two options: traditional or segmental block. The one you choose depends upon the conditions at the site. So before you build a block retaining wall, consider these questions:

1. Where can you find information about block retaining wall construction?

2. What type of traditional block retaining wall materials should you use?

3. Would a segmental block retaining wall work better?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about block retaining wall products and installation

It's difficult to run across even a long-time contractor who knows everything there is to know about the business. Your operation will only be more productive and profitable with increased knowledge. So with that in mind, take a little time to check out some of the great educational materials on building a block retaining wall.

I recommend: Anchor Wall Systems has an excellent site for professionals, offering all kinds of information about retaining wall construction and pricing, including instructions on how to use their products, design assistance and a wall calculator. Allen Block also provides block retaining wall design and construction tips, as well as an Allan Block Contractor Certification Program.

Choose traditional block retaining wall materials for many situations

Traditional concrete block retaining walls have, in essence, been around for thousands of years. Simple and effective, they work perfectly if the weight they must bear goes from the top to the bottom of the wall. Nowadays, you can even find block retaining wall materials that resemble materials like natural stone.

I recommend: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems sells standard block retaining wall products, mostly for smaller retaining walls. Redi-Rock International manufactures commercial retaining walls products, as well as blocks appropriate for residential use, highways, bridges and culverts.

Select segmental block retaining wall materials for ease and special applications

When stress is put on a block retaining wall's sides, it will often collapse. That's why segmental (sometimes called 'modular,' 'mortarless' or 'stackable') block retaining walls have gained popularity over the last 20 years; they're strong where traditional block retaining walls are weak. In addition, segmental retaining walls allow for expansion and contraction with the changing weather.

I recommend: Substiwood, Inc. sells a segmental block retaining wall system designed to look like wood. VERSA-LOK® Retaining Wall Systems manufactures 100-percent concrete block retaining wall materials that are segmental. Risi Stone Systems also sells segmental retaining wall blocks appropriate for commercial and residential use. StoneWall Select provides segmental blocks that look like real stone. Air Vol Block, Inc. offers mortarless black retaining wall options.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering pricing for block retaining walls, segmental walls often win out. One of the ways your segmental project can be less expensive is in the wall footing. While concrete footers are often used for traditional block retaining walls, a segmental wall usually requires just a simple gravel base.

Block retaining walls are the walls that support the slopes in and around your house or office. These walls provide stability to the soil and level the area, which otherwise would be unusable. Products for building the retaining walls are available in different materials, sizes and shapes.

In this guide, we will cover some of the key terms related to block retaining walls, such as segmental retaining walls, geogrids, lateral earth pressure, compaction, backfill, wall caps and coping.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Segmental retaining walls (SRWs)

Segmental retaining walls, popularly known as SRWs, are the interlocking units made of concrete. Segmental retaining walls are economical and easy to install, as they do not require mortar.

I recommend: You can get the detailed information about segmental retaining walls at the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), an association of the concrete masonry industry professionals.

Geogrid

Geogrid is a material that holds or reinforces the soil and provides stability for slopes. They are available in various materials, sizes and strengths.

I recommend: You can read through the glossary of technical terms at Tensar Corporation. In addition, Keystone Retaining Wall Systems gives basic information about geogrids and installation tips for its geogrid products.

Compaction

Compaction is the process of eliminating the air pockets near the retaining wall to increase the density of the soil and hold it in place. This provides a firm foundation for the wall. The compaction process requires tools known as compactors.

I recommend: Allan Block Corporation, a reputable company in the field of retaining walls, provides detailed information about the compaction process.

Backfill

Backfill is the material used for filling the excavated earth for the foundation or base of the wall. Soil type is an important factor in selecting the type of backfill material to be used.

I recommend: For basic information on backfill and other terms related to SRWs, browse through the website of BRACT, an installer of segmental retaining walls.

Lateral earth pressure

Lateral earth pressure is the pressure or the load that is developed by the backfill on the wall. Lateral earth pressure determines the required strength of a retaining wall.

I recommend: To understand the concept of lateral earth pressure and its significance for design of a retaining wall, read through basic information at The Concrete Network, an education resource for the concrete industry.

Wall caps and copings

Wall caps and copings are top surfaces that protect wall and wall-like structures. These are made of concrete, stones or bricks.

I recommend: Paver Search, an information resource for landscaping and paving activities, provides detailed information about applications, shapes and sizes of wall caps and copings.