Start With Drainage, Not Design
Before picking a block style or wall height, the real question is where the water behind the wall is going to go. Poor drainage is the single most common cause of retaining wall failure — not the wall material itself. A wall built without a drainage plan is a wall that's already on a countdown.
Know Your Height Threshold
Most counties require an engineered plan and permit once a retaining wall passes a certain height. That threshold varies by locality, so this is one of the first things to confirm with your contractor or county before finalizing a design — not after the wall is built.
Soil and Slope Assessment
How steep the slope is and what kind of soil is behind the wall changes how much reinforcement (like geogrid) the wall needs. This isn't something to guess at — it should be assessed on-site before construction starts.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Bid
Ask what drainage solution is included (pipe, gravel backfill), what base depth they're excavating to, whether a permit is needed for your wall's height, and what warranty covers structural failure versus cosmetic issues. A bid that doesn't mention drainage at all is worth a second look.
Warning Signs of a Wall Built Wrong
Bulging or leaning sections, water visibly pooling at the base, and cracks in the cap are all signs a wall's drainage or base wasn't done correctly. These issues get worse over time, not better, so they're worth addressing before a wall actually fails.