Retaining Wall Installation in Burlington — Built to Last
Structural retaining wall installation in Burlington. Stone, timber & interlock walls for sloped yards. Fully insured — call (905) 484-6354.
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Who This Service Is For
Retaining walls are essential for Burlington and Oakville homeowners with sloped backyards, erosion problems, or raised garden areas. If water pools near your foundation or your yard's grade makes it unusable, a retaining wall solves it structurally.
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Situations That Call For This Service
- ✓Your yard slopes toward the house or neighbour's property
- ✓Soil erosion is visibly washing away after rain
- ✓You want to create level tiers for gardens or patios
- ✓An existing retaining wall is leaning, cracking, or failing
What Happens If You Delay?
A failing retaining wall isn't just an eyesore — it can shift 6–12 inches per year, eventually damaging your foundation, fence, or neighbouring property. Insurance may not cover preventable structural damage.
Get a Quote NowHow We Work
Step 1: Grade Assessment
We assess the slope, soil type, and water drainage pattern to engineer the correct wall height and footing depth.
Step 2: Excavation & Footing
We excavate the base below frost line and install a compacted gravel footing — critical for preventing heaving.
Step 3: Batter & Course Layout
Wall blocks are laid with a slight backward lean (batter) for structural integrity. Each course is checked for level and alignment.
Step 4: Drainage System
We install perforated drain tile and gravel backfill behind the wall to relieve hydrostatic pressure — the #1 cause of wall failure.
Step 5: Cap Installation
Top course caps are secured with construction adhesive for a clean, finished appearance.
Step 6: Backfill & Grade
We backfill, compact, and grade the surface above the wall for proper drainage away from structures.
What Burlington Homeowners Say
"They completely transformed our backyard — new interlock patio, retaining wall, and fresh sod. The crew was professional, clean, and finished on time. One of the best investments we've made in our home."
"Our driveway was cracked and embarrassing. Project Seal & Coat repaired and sealed it — looks brand new. Fast, fair price, no surprises. Will use them every spring."
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical answers from people who do this work every day in Burlington and Oakville.
What causes retaining walls to fail?
The #1 cause is hydrostatic pressure — water building up in the soil behind the wall with nowhere to go. This is solved with drainage tile and gravel backfill behind the wall. The #2 cause is inadequate footing depth — walls built above frost line heave and tip over time. A properly drained, properly footed wall engineered to its height will stand for decades.
How deep does a retaining wall footing need to be in Ontario?
In most of Ontario, frost penetrates to approximately 1.2–1.5 metres (4–5 feet) depth. Retaining wall footings should be set at or below this depth. For segmental block walls under 1 metre, a compacted gravel footing 150–300mm deep is typically sufficient. Taller walls require engineered footings and are subject to Ontario Building Code requirements.
What is 'batter' on a retaining wall and why does it matter?
Batter is the backward lean built into a retaining wall — typically 1 inch of setback per foot of height. It shifts the wall's centre of gravity backward into the retained soil, dramatically increasing resistance to overturning. A wall built perfectly vertical has far less structural stability than one built with proper batter. Most quality segmental block systems have batter built into their geometry.
When does a retaining wall require a permit in Burlington?
Burlington requires a building permit for retaining walls exceeding 1.0 metre (3.3 feet) in height. Walls over this height also require a grading plan and, in many cases, engineered drawings stamped by a licensed engineer. We handle permit applications for any wall that requires one.
How do you prevent weeds from growing through a retaining wall?
Landscape fabric placed between the gravel drainage layer and the native backfill soil prevents fine particles from migrating through the gravel while allowing water to pass. Proper polymeric sand or tight cap installation at the top of the wall prevents seeds from germinating in joint gaps. There is no permanent solution — maintenance is required — but proper installation minimizes ongoing work significantly.