Concrete retaining wall and foundation recently poured

Concrete Retaining Walls

Home » Concrete Work » Concrete Retaining Walls

A well-constructed concrete retaining wall can add beauty and distinction to a home’s landscaping. But a retaining wall also performs an important function that requires structural engineering and precise construction methods.

More Value for Clients

At Crescent Homes Maui our concrete team is on staff, so we don’t need to rely on subcontractors for this important work. We also own our own heavy equipment and all the necessary concrete forms. This is a key reason why we are able to build “pour in place” walls that are often the same price as “concrete masonry unit” (CMU) walls. That’s a huge advantage for our clients.

Image of a formed 12-foot concrete retaining wall ready to be poured
12-foot retaining wall formed and waiting to be poured. This wall is part of the first floor of a two-story house.

Designing Concrete Retaining Walls

Before the construction process begins, Crescent Homes Maui will help work with you and your architect or landscape architect to determine the exact type of wall your home needs. Among the options are:

  • Foundation walls
  • CMU/Hollow tile
  • Pour in place (also called “cast in place” walls)
  • Privacy walls

There are also aesthetic choices to make. Poured concrete retaining walls offer more room for customization than any other type of material. You can consider adding: 

These options can also be used to tie the look of your wall together with other hardscaping, including walkways, lanais, pool decks and driveways.

Image of some of the rebar installed to reinforce this home's 12-foot concrete retaining wall.
Rebar and footing installed to reinforce this home’s 12-foot concrete retaining wall.

Engineering Expertise is Essential

Once the goal is clear, our concrete team goes through a detailed engineering process to ensure your concrete retaining wall will withstand the pressure of gravity, soil and water for years to come. Designing any retaining wall requires knowledge of the force generated by the pressure of the backfill against the retaining wall, called lateral earth pressure. To determine this calculation, several parameters must be known in order to evaluate a specific wall design and its stability, including the soil unit weight and the location of the water table.

When it’s time to build your concrete retaining wall, Crescent Homes follows several steps: 

  1. Determine the wall’s shape, size and placement.
  2. Remove existing plants, top soil and other debris as needed. 
  3. Lay out and dig the footings.
  4. Build forms.
  5. Add rebar for reinforcement.
  6. Pour the footings and wall. 
  7. Allow the concrete to cure.
  8. Create contraction joints.
  9. Remove the forms and install the waterproofing and drainage system.
  10. Finish the surface of the wall as desired.
Image of a crane pouring concrete for a home's first floor 12-foot concrete retaining wall
Crane pouring concrete for a home’s first floor 12-foot concrete retaining wall.

Concrete Retaining Walls Built to Last

An inexpertly engineered wall may eventually fail to hold back the soil and be prone to tilting, cracking and bowing. In addition, builders sometimes cut corners with concrete, and in a tropical climate like Hawaii’s, the high-salt marine layer can lead to the breakdown and poor performance of inferior work. The end result means an early — and costly — redo. 

At Crescent Homes our concrete experts understand how to engineer a concrete retaining wall so that it will meet all environmental, structural and construction demands. Because concrete work is a permanent investment in your home, you want the work done right the first time. That’s why selecting the right General Contractor to build your new concrete project is the best choice a homeowner can make. Contact Crescent Homes today to learn more about why we are the island’s leading builder of new residential construction.

Call Now Button