Best Practices for Building Retaining Walls near El Paso County, Colorado
Understanding Why Retaining Walls Fail in El Paso County
If you’re thinking about building a retaining wall, chances are you’ve seen one that didn’t hold up. Maybe it was leaning, maybe it cracked, or maybe it completely collapsed after a heavy rain. It’s frustrating to see especially if you’ve invested money into your own wall only to watch it buckle under pressure.
The truth is, many retaining walls fail not because of bad intentions, but because of poor planning or shortcuts during construction. Here in El Paso County, with our mix of clay-heavy soils and unpredictable weather, the stakes are even higher. A wall that might survive in another part of the country could easily crumble here if it’s not built right.
At Minch Enterprise, we’ve seen firsthand the disappointment homeowners feel when a retaining wall doesn’t live up to expectations. That’s why we’re sharing what really matters — the best practices to ensure your wall stands the test of time.
How Colorado’s Soil and Weather Impact Retaining Walls
Colorado isn’t kind to poorly built retaining walls. In El Paso County, the soil often shifts with moisture. After a dry summer, a sudden storm can cause the ground to expand, putting extra pressure on your wall. Add in freeze-thaw cycles during the winter, and it’s a recipe for movement, cracking, and failure.
If you live on a slope in Colorado Springs or have property in Monument or Falcon, you’ve likely seen how water carves into the earth. Without the right design, a wall will fight a losing battle against nature. Understanding your soil type, drainage needs, and slope stability is step one before laying a single block.
Planning Your Retaining Wall Project the Right Way
A retaining wall isn’t just another backyard feature — it’s a structure designed to hold back tons of earth. Planning is what separates a sturdy wall from one that fails. Here are the key steps:
Site Assessment: Look at slope steepness, soil type, and water flow.
Purpose: Are you trying to stop erosion, add usable yard space, or create a decorative feature? Your goal changes the design.
Height Considerations: Walls over 4 feet may require engineering or permits in El Paso County.
Future Use: If you’re planning to add a patio, driveway, or fence nearby, your wall must be designed to handle the load.
Too often, homeowners skip this stage and dive straight into stacking blocks. That’s like building a house without a foundation.
Choosing the Best Materials for Long-Lasting Retaining Walls
Not all retaining wall materials are created equal. The choice you make will affect both durability and appearance. Here are some options:
Concrete Blocks (Segmental Walls): Popular for their strength and versatility. They lock together and are designed to withstand soil pressure.
Natural Stone: Beautiful and timeless, but requires skill to install correctly. Best for shorter walls or decorative landscaping.
Treated Timber: Less expensive, but can deteriorate faster in Colorado’s climate. Not ideal for long-term solutions.
Poured Concrete: Extremely strong but less flexible if the ground shifts. Requires expert installation.
For most El Paso County properties, concrete block systems or natural stone offer the best balance between strength and aesthetics.
Proper Drainage: The Secret to a Strong Retaining Wall
If there’s one thing that kills retaining walls faster than anything else, it’s water. Without proper drainage, water builds up behind the wall and creates hydrostatic pressure — an invisible force strong enough to push over even the toughest materials.
Best practices for drainage include:
Gravel Backfill: Place at least 12 inches of gravel behind the wall to help water flow downward.
Drain Pipes (Weep Holes): Allow water to escape instead of pooling.
Geotextile Fabric: Keeps soil from clogging the gravel and pipes.
Think of drainage as the safety valve for your retaining wall. Ignore it, and your wall is on borrowed time.
Building for Strength: Height, Design, and Reinforcement
A well-built retaining wall is more than stacked blocks. It’s an engineered system designed to resist pressure. Here’s what makes it strong:
Proper Base: A compacted gravel foundation prevents settling.
Step-Back Design: Each row should slightly lean into the hill for added stability.
Reinforcement: Taller walls may need geogrid (a synthetic mesh that ties soil and wall together).
Terracing: For very steep slopes, building multiple shorter walls instead of one tall wall reduces risk.
When walls are built too tall without reinforcement, they often lean forward within just a few years.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional for Retaining Walls in El Paso County
Some homeowners love the challenge of DIY projects. And for small garden walls under 3 feet, doing it yourself can work if you research and follow best practices. But once you’re dealing with larger slopes, heavy loads, or heights over 4 feet, the risks multiply.
A professional brings:
Knowledge of soil and drainage conditions specific to El Paso County.
Access to proper equipment for excavation and compaction.
Engineering expertise for walls requiring permits.
The ability to prevent costly mistakes before they happen.
DIY can save money upfront, but a failed wall can cost double to fix.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Building Retaining Walls
We’ve seen a lot of walls over the years, and many of them fail for the same reasons:
Skipping Drainage: The #1 cause of collapse.
Poor Base Prep: Walls built on dirt instead of compacted gravel quickly shift.
Going Too Tall Without Reinforcement: A single tall wall without geogrid is a recipe for disaster.
Using the Wrong Material: Wood or low-grade blocks can’t handle Colorado’s climate long-term.
Not Accounting for Water Runoff: Ignoring nearby gutters or slopes leads to erosion.
Avoiding these mistakes can save you thousands of dollars and years of frustration.
Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Retaining Wall Standing Strong
Even the best-built wall needs care. Thankfully, maintenance is simple if you know what to look for:
Inspect Annually: Look for cracks, bulges, or leaning. Early signs of trouble can often be fixed.
Keep Drains Clear: Remove debris that blocks weep holes or drain pipes.
Control Vegetation: Tree roots near the wall can cause damage over time.
Watch for Erosion: If soil washes out near the base, add gravel or redirect water flow.
A few hours of attention each year can add decades of life to your wall.
Best Practices for a Retaining Wall That Lasts
Building a retaining wall isn’t just about stacking stone or block — it’s about creating a structure that will stand strong against Colorado’s unique soil and weather. From choosing the right materials to ensuring proper drainage, each step matters.
At Minch Enterprise, based in Elizabeth and serving Elbert, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer, and Boulder Counties, we know the challenges homeowners face. You don’t want to spend money twice. You don’t want to feel the stress of a wall leaning after just a few winters. And you certainly don’t want to watch your yard erode because the wall wasn’t built right the first time.
By following these best practices, you’ll not only protect your property but also create a wall that adds beauty and function for years to come. Whether you choose to take on a small project yourself or call in professionals for something larger, the key is the same: build it right from the ground up.
