Retaining walls provide lateral support to vertical slopes of soil. They retain soil which would otherwise collapse into a more natural shape. The soil behind the retaining wall is sometimes referred to as backfill.

Retaining walls may be constructed with different materials as well as a variety of building techniques. In the Bay Area the more common retaining walls are constructed of poured concrete, shotcrete concrete, steel with lagging timber, or wood beams with lagging timber.

Generally, any walls over four feet must be designed by a professionally licensed engineer (varies by county or city). Ultimately, all retaining walls serve to hold back a vertical or near vertical face of soil that would, without adequate retention, cave, slump, or slide to a more natural slope. Many retaining walls are built inexpensively and thus are prone to early failure. Retaining walls built by RWR are not prone to failure, because RWR walls are constructed using the latest construction techniques and materials of the highest quality.

RWR is experienced in building all types of retaining walls including landscape retaining walls (generally walls less than four feet). Retaining walls may also be decorative, covered by stone, plaster, or other types of masonry. RWR is experienced in providing for all of these face-coverings plus various types of landscape walls including Versa-Lok walls.

The two most important areas commonly overlooked by less experienced contractors is the necessity to drain all rain or ground water being retained behind the wall and embedding the piers deep into competent material. Hydrostatic pressure is a major cause of retaining wall failure.  Providing drainage is an absolute requirement and RWR is the most experienced contractor specializing in providing for adequate drainage behind all retaining walls.