Concrete Retaining Walls in Pittsburgh, PA

Add strength, beauty, and functionality to your landscape with a custom-built concrete retaining wall. RMK Services is Pittsburgh, PA’s trusted expert in engineering and constructing durable concrete retaining walls.

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The Top Concrete Retaining Walls in Pittsburgh, PA

A professionally built concrete retaining wall can solve slope erosion problems, create usable flat land, and add significant visual appeal to your property. RMK Services specializes in designing and building concrete retaining walls that are both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. As a family-owned Pittsburgh company, we are guided by integrity and a commitment to superior quality. Our licensed and insured team has the engineering knowledge and construction expertise to build walls that last. We are dedicated to providing a 5 star service for every client. Unlike wood or block walls, a poured concrete wall offers unmatched strength and longevity. Trust us to enhance your landscape with a functional and elegant retaining wall. We provide free in-person estimates to discuss your project needs.

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John Daly
September 20, 2025

Side walk is fantastic! Ryan fixed my retaining wall no one else would touch. Very extra professional job. All his people were great also. Great estimate and greater work. I highly recommend him. He has been a blessing!

Clinton Eastwood
September 14, 2025

I love RMK Services LLC because they truly take pride in their concrete work and always go above and beyond to deliver quality results. Whether it’s driveways, sidewalks, patios, or foundations, they handle every project with skill, professionalism, and attention to detail. Their team doesn’t just get the job done – they make sure it’s done right, built to last, and looks great too. RMK Services LLC is reliable, hardworking, and committed to customer satisfaction, which is why I trust them with any concrete job I need.

Jason I
August 22, 2025

Ryan and his crew were absolutely amazing on every level including attention to detail and transparency with everything from a fair and honest quote to the level of craftsmanship performed. They worked at a fast and efficient pace while considering safety of the homeowner and his crew at all times. The difference is he listens to his customers and goes the extra mile to make them happy. I had my retaining wall reconstructed and I couldn't be happier. I highly recommend RMK services for all your project needs.

Chris T.
August 20, 2025

Excellent service from Ryan. He poured a sidewalk for us at our rental property and got it done on time and in budget. We'll be using his services again very soon.

Nathan B.
August 19, 2025

From the beginning Ryan was on it! When I first searched yelp for help with fixing my glass block windows, lentals, and repointing on my brick outside my house he was one of the first to contact me. He scheduled to meet with me fairly quickly, was on time and realistic with what work was needed to be done and offered it at a very reasonable price. He kept me informed the whole time on everything he was doing and ensured me the job would be done correctly. Would recommend.

RMK Services OFFERS Concrete Retaining Walls IN Pittsburgh’s Top Neighborhoods

RMK Services provides professional Concrete Retaining Walls for homeowners and businesses throughout the greater Pittsburgh area. Below is a full list of nearby neighborhoods and townships we serve, all within our 60-mile service radius. If your property is located in one of these areas, we’re ready to help you with Concrete Retaining Walls:

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Our Concrete Retaining Walls Service

Our process starts with a comprehensive site analysis and design consultation. A retaining wall is an engineered structure, and proper design is critical for its success. We assess your property’s slope, soil type, and drainage patterns. We work with you to understand your goals, whether it is to create a terraced garden, a level patio area, or to prevent soil erosion. Based on this analysis, we design a wall that is not only visually appealing but also engineered to safely withstand the immense pressure of the earth it will hold back. Our designs always include plans for proper drainage to ensure the wall’s long term stability.

Proper foundation and footing construction are the most important steps in building a retaining wall that will not fail. We begin by excavating a trench for the wall’s footing. The footing must be placed on solid, undisturbed soil and extend below the frost line to prevent shifting and heaving. We then build formwork for the footing and install a grid of steel rebar. This reinforcement is crucial for giving the footing the strength it needs to support the weight of the wall and resist the lateral forces of the soil. A strong footing is the literal foundation of a successful retaining wall.

Once the footing has cured, we construct the formwork for the vertical wall itself. We use high quality, professional grade forming systems to ensure the wall is straight, plumb, and has a consistent thickness. We can create walls of any height or length and can incorporate curves, corners, and steps into the design. We also place a carefully designed grid of vertical and horizontal steel rebar within the wall forms. This steel skeleton is what gives the poured concrete wall its incredible strength to hold back tons of soil pressure without bending or breaking.

Drainage is a critical and often overlooked component of a durable retaining wall. The buildup of water pressure behind a wall is the number one cause of retaining wall failure. To prevent this, we install a comprehensive drainage system behind the wall. This typically includes a layer of free draining gravel or crushed stone placed directly behind the wall. A perforated drain pipe, or French drain, is installed at the bottom of the gravel layer. This pipe collects water and channels it safely away from the wall through weep holes or to a suitable discharge point. This system relieves hydrostatic pressure and is essential for the wall’s longevity.

With the formwork, reinforcement, and drainage components in place, we proceed with pouring the concrete. We use a high strength concrete mix specifically designed for structural applications. The concrete is carefully placed into the forms using a pump or chute, and our team works the concrete to ensure it fills all voids and properly consolidates around the rebar. The top of the wall is troweled to a smooth and level finish. We manage the entire pour with expertise and precision to create a solid, monolithic structure that is incredibly strong and durable.

After the concrete has cured and gained its full strength, we carefully strip the forms to reveal the finished wall. The final appearance of the wall can be customized in several ways. The standard finish is a smooth surface from the forms. However, we can also use special form liners to create a variety of decorative textures, such as the look of stone, brick, or wood grain. The concrete can also be stained or colored to match your landscape design. These decorative options allow a poured concrete wall to be as beautiful as it is strong.

The final step in the process is backfilling and final grading. We carefully place the drainage gravel behind the wall, followed by the native soil. The soil is placed in layers, or lifts, and compacted to prevent future settlement. We grade the soil on both sides of the wall to ensure proper surface water flow and create a clean, finished look for your landscape. Our commitment to a 5 star service means we leave your property neat and tidy, with a beautiful and structurally sound retaining wall that will serve you for decades to come.

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All Concrete Services By RMK in Pittsburgh, PA

RMK Services offers Concrete Retaining Walls in Pittsburgh, but we also offer many other residential concrete services for homeowners across Pittsburgh. From new installations to full tear-outs and replacements, we handle everything with precision and care. Below is a complete list of concrete services available alongside Concrete Retaining Walls:

Why Homeowners Trust RMK Services in Pittsburgh, PA

At RMK Services, we focus on delivering honest, high-quality concrete work backed by real experience and dependable service. From the first estimate to the final pour, our team shows up, communicates clearly, and gets the job done right without sales pressure or surprises. We take pride in treating every property like it’s our own and standing behind everything we do.

  • Licensed & Insured in Pennsylvania (PA License #203908)
  • Over 10 Years of Construction Experience
  • Free In-Person Estimates With Honest, Fair Pricing
  • No Upsells or Games; Just Solid, Reliable Work
  • Family-Owned and Operated in Pittsburgh
  • Serving a 60-Mile Radius Around the City
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Years in Business
5-Star Reviews
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A Homeowner’s Guide On Concrete Retaining Walls in Pittsburgh

For Pittsburgh homeowners with sloped properties, a retaining wall can be a transformative investment. It can turn an unusable hillside into a flat, functional area for a patio, garden, or playground. When planning a retaining wall, remember that any wall over four feet in height typically requires a building permit and an engineered design to ensure it is safe. Drainage is the most critical factor for longevity in our wet climate. Ensure your contractor has a solid plan for managing water behind the wall. While precast block walls are popular, a poured concrete wall offers superior strength and a seamless, modern look. It is an investment in a permanent solution for your landscape challenges. Always choose a licensed and insured contractor with proven experience in building engineered retaining structures.

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Common Concrete Retaining Walls Questions

A concrete retaining wall is a major landscaping project that requires careful planning and expert execution. It serves a critical structural purpose while also impacting the aesthetics of your property. Homeowners in Pittsburgh considering a retaining wall often have important questions about their design, construction, and durability. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Drainage is arguably the single most important factor in the long term stability and success of any retaining wall. The primary job of a retaining wall is to hold back soil. However, when that soil becomes saturated with water, it becomes much heavier and exerts a massive amount of hydrostatic pressure against the back of the wall. This pressure can be powerful enough to cause even a well built wall to bow, crack, or even collapse entirely. The vast majority of retaining wall failures are caused by the buildup of hydrostatic pressure due to improper drainage.

An effective drainage system works to relieve this pressure. It intercepts and collects groundwater before it can build up behind the wall and channels it safely away. The system typically starts with a layer of free draining material, like clean gravel, placed directly behind the wall. Water moving through the soil can easily pass through this gravel instead of pushing against the wall. At the base of this gravel layer, a perforated pipe, often called a French drain or a drain tile, collects the water.

This collected water is then directed away from the wall. This can be done through small pipes called weep holes that pass through the face of the wall, allowing water to drain out. Alternatively, the drain pipe can be extended to an outlet at the end of the wall or connected to another part of the property’s drainage system. By giving water an easy escape route, a proper drainage system prevents the buildup of hydrostatic pressure and is absolutely essential for ensuring your retaining wall remains stable and strong for its entire lifespan.

The height of a concrete retaining wall is determined by engineering principles and local building codes. Generally, small, non-critical retaining walls that are less than four feet in height can often be built based on standard construction practices without requiring a formal engineered design. However, these walls must still be built correctly with a proper footing and drainage to be successful. It is a common misconception that a small wall does not need to be robustly constructed. Even a short wall holds back a significant amount of force.

Once a retaining wall exceeds four feet in height, virtually all local building codes, including those in the Pittsburgh area, will require a building permit and a design prepared by a licensed professional engineer. As a retaining wall gets taller, the pressure exerted on it by the soil increases exponentially. A tall wall must be designed to safely resist these massive forces. An engineer will perform calculations based on the wall height, soil type, and any additional loads (like a driveway on top of the wall) to specify the required footing size, wall thickness, and the amount and placement of steel reinforcement.

With proper engineering, poured concrete retaining walls can be built to significant heights, well over 10 or 20 feet if needed. The design for such a wall would be much more robust than for a short garden wall, often incorporating a large “heel” and “toe” in the footing to prevent overturning and sliding. There is no simple answer to how tall a wall can be, as it depends entirely on a site specific engineered design. RMK Services works with professional engineers to ensure that all of our retaining walls are designed and built to be safe and compliant with all local codes.

Poured concrete and concrete block (also known as segmental retaining wall or SRW) are the two most common materials used for building retaining walls, and they have distinct differences. A poured concrete wall is monolithic, meaning it is one solid, continuous piece of steel reinforced concrete. It is formed and poured on site. This monolithic structure gives it superior strength and rigidity. It is the preferred choice for taller, more critical walls that need to withstand very high soil pressures. Poured concrete walls are extremely durable and can last for many decades with no maintenance.

Concrete block retaining walls, on the other hand, are built from individual, precast concrete blocks that are stacked without mortar. They are a type of gravity wall system, relying on the weight of the blocks and a system of interlocking lips or pins to hold them together. They are typically set on a gravel base rather than a concrete footing. For added stability, they are often engineered with a geogrid fabric that extends back into the soil, effectively tying the wall to the earth behind it. These walls are more flexible than poured concrete walls and can tolerate minor soil movement without cracking.

The choice between the two often comes down to cost, aesthetics, and the requirements of the project. Block walls are often faster and less expensive to install, especially for DIY projects or smaller walls. They also come in a wide variety of colors and textures. Poured concrete walls have a higher upfront cost due to the extensive formwork and labor required. However, they offer unmatched strength for tall or heavily loaded walls and provide a clean, modern aesthetic. Poured walls can also be finished with a variety of textures or veneers to achieve different looks. For a truly permanent, engineered solution, poured concrete is often the superior choice.

In Pittsburgh and its surrounding municipalities, you will almost certainly need a building permit to construct a retaining wall that is over a certain height. The specific height threshold that triggers the need for a permit is typically four feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. This is a common rule in building codes across the country. Any retaining wall that is four feet tall or higher is considered a significant structure that could pose a safety risk if it fails, so its design and construction must be reviewed and approved by the local building department.

When you apply for a permit for a retaining wall over four feet, you will be required to submit a set of engineered plans. These plans must be stamped by a licensed professional engineer in the state of Pennsylvania. The engineer is responsible for designing a wall that is safe and adequate for the specific conditions of your property. The building department will review these plans to ensure they comply with all local codes and safety standards before issuing a permit. Building a tall wall without a permit can result in fines, stop work orders, and may even require you to tear the wall down.

Even for walls under four feet, where a permit may not be required, it is still a good idea to check with your local municipal building department. Some jurisdictions may have stricter rules or specific zoning requirements related to the placement of retaining walls on your property, known as setbacks. A reputable contractor like RMK Services will be familiar with the local permitting requirements and will handle the entire permit application process for you. We ensure that every wall we build is fully compliant with all codes, giving you peace of mind.

A properly designed and constructed poured concrete retaining wall is a permanent structure that can be expected to last for a very long time, often 50 to 100 years or even more. The longevity of a concrete wall comes from its incredible strength and durability. Unlike wood walls that are susceptible to rot and insect damage, or even some block walls that can shift over time, a solid, steel reinforced concrete wall is a monolithic structure that is highly resistant to the forces of nature. The key to this longevity is proper construction from the ground up.

The lifespan of the wall is directly related to the quality of its design and installation. A wall with an inadequate footing that is not below the frost line will be prone to heaving and settlement, which can lead to failure in just a few years. More importantly, a wall built without a proper drainage system is at very high risk of premature failure due to hydrostatic pressure. A well designed drainage system is the most critical component for ensuring the wall lasts for decades. The quality of the concrete mix and the correct placement of steel reinforcement also play crucial roles.

When all of these elements are executed correctly by a professional contractor, a poured concrete retaining wall requires virtually no maintenance and will likely outlast the other features in your landscape, and possibly even your home itself. It is a long term investment in the stability and usability of your property. While the upfront cost may be higher than other options, its incredible lifespan and lack of ongoing maintenance costs make it an excellent value over the long run. RMK Services builds walls that are engineered to last a lifetime.

Absolutely. While a retaining wall’s primary function is structural, it can and should be a beautiful element in your landscape design. A poured concrete retaining wall offers a surprising amount of aesthetic versatility. The most basic finish is the smooth surface left by the forms, which provides a clean, modern, and minimalist look that is very popular in contemporary landscape architecture. This simple, elegant finish can be a stunning backdrop for plants and other landscape features.

For a more decorative look, the face of the wall can be textured. This is achieved by using special liners inside the concrete forms before the wall is poured. These liners can be used to create an endless variety of patterns and textures on the wall’s surface. A very popular option is to use a form liner that mimics the look of natural stacked stone, ashlar slate, or even rough sawn wood planks. This allows you to get the unmatched strength of a poured concrete wall with the decorative appearance of a traditional masonry wall.

Color is another way to enhance the decorative appeal of a retaining wall. The concrete can be colored in two ways. Integral color involves adding pigment to the concrete mix before it is poured, which results in a consistent color throughout the entire wall. Alternatively, the surface of the cured wall can be stained with concrete stains to create rich, variegated colors. A retaining wall can also incorporate features like built in seating, planters, or lighting to make it an even more integral and functional part of your outdoor living space. RMK Services can help you design a wall that is both strong and beautiful.

The process for building a professional concrete retaining wall is a systematic, multi step operation. It always begins with planning and design. Our team will meet with you on site to discuss your needs and assess the property. We then develop a detailed design, which for taller walls will be engineered and used to obtain the necessary building permits. This planning phase is crucial and sets the foundation for the entire project. Once the design is approved and permits are in hand, the physical construction can begin.

The first construction step is excavation. We use excavation equipment to dig out the area where the wall will be located and to create the trench for the footing. The footing trench must be dug to the correct depth, below the frost line, and onto solid, undisturbed soil. Next, we build the formwork and place the steel reinforcement for the footing. The footing is then poured with concrete and allowed to cure for several days to gain strength. This creates the stable base for the rest of the wall.

After the footing is ready, we erect the formwork for the wall itself. This is a complex process of building the molds that will shape the wall and installing the extensive grid of rebar inside. The drainage system components are also installed behind the wall at this stage. Then comes the main concrete pour for the wall. After the wall has cured, the forms are removed. The final steps are backfilling the wall with the proper drainage material and soil, and completing the final grading to blend the new wall seamlessly into your landscape.

Whether a leaning retaining wall can be repaired depends on the type of wall and the severity and cause of the leaning. For segmental block walls, it is sometimes possible to repair a leaning section. This would involve carefully disassembling the leaning portion of the wall, addressing the underlying problem (which is usually a footing or drainage failure), and then re-stacking the blocks on a properly prepared base. This is a labor intensive process but can be less expensive than a full replacement if the problem is localized.

For a poured concrete retaining wall, a lean is a much more serious problem and is generally not repairable in the traditional sense. Because the wall is a single, solid piece, it cannot be disassembled. A lean in a concrete wall indicates a major failure of the footing or extreme pressure behind the wall. While there are specialized geotechnical solutions, like installing tiebacks or soil nails that anchor the wall to the earth behind it, these are very complex and expensive engineering projects. In most residential situations, a significantly leaning poured concrete wall will need to be demolished and completely replaced.

The key takeaway is that prevention is the best medicine. A leaning retaining wall is almost always the result of a design or construction flaw, most commonly an inadequate footing or a lack of proper drainage. This is why it is absolutely critical to have a retaining wall built correctly from the start by an experienced and qualified contractor. Investing in a properly engineered and constructed wall from day one will prevent you from facing the dangerous and extremely costly problem of a failing or leaning wall in the future. RMK Services builds walls that are designed to stand straight and strong for a lifetime.

Get The Best Concrete Retaining Walls Near You

For a free in-person estimate on your project, book a call-back using our 24/7 self-service system or call us directly at (352) 978-5567.

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