Concrete Block Walls in San Rafael CA - a wall that holds the ground and lets water out
Got a yard that's slumping or an old wall that's leaning? We build reinforced block walls that stay put and give water a way out.
We dig and pour a concrete footing, then lay the block, set steel in the cores and fill them with grout. Before the soil goes back, we give water behind the wall a way out, because trapped water pushes hard.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free on-site estimates.
- We respond within 1 business day.
A wall that stays put and drains
Owner on site, own crew
Our own crew of masons builds your wall, and I'm on site checking the work while they do it.
Licensed, insured, every job
We're fully licensed and insured, and that covers every wall our crew builds, small or large.
What goes into a concrete block wall in San Rafael?
A concrete block wall in San Rafael is a masonry wall on a concrete footing, with steel set up through the hollow cores of the block and grout poured around it so the block and steel work as one piece. That's what lets it hold back a slope, level part of a sloped yard or carry a fence without tipping or sliding. Three things move the price most: how tall and long the wall is, what sits on or behind it, and how easy it is to dig and get block to the spot. The schedule mostly turns on whether the city wants an engineer's review, a permit or design review first, so we check with the city or county office that covers your address before work starts, and when a permit is needed we handle the paperwork and set up the inspections. After I look at your wall, I write up an estimate that shows what's included.
How do I know I need a block wall?
Soil washing onto the patio
Dirt and mulch slide down onto your patio, path or driveway every time it rains. A wall holds the slope back and gives you a flat edge you can use.
An old wall leaning out
An existing wall that tips forward or bows in the middle is losing to the soil behind it. Patching the face won't stop that, so we find out why it moved.
Cracks that keep widening
Stair-step cracks or gaps between blocks that get wider each year usually mean the footing shifted or the wall is being pushed. Those don't close up on their own.
Wet ground behind the wall
Soggy soil behind a wall, or water seeping out of its face after storms, means it isn't draining. That water adds weight against the wall, so drainage is part of the fix.
Your block wall job, from first call to walk-through
You call or send a message
- Call (628) 234-2038 or use the form
- Tell us where the wall goes
- Say what it holds back
- We get back to set a visit
I look at your wall
- I come out to see it myself
- You hear what I think on the spot
- I explain what I'd build and why
- A written estimate follows the visit
Our crew builds the wall
- We set a start date together
- Footing dug and poured
- Block laid, steel set, cores grouted
- Drainage in before soil goes back
Final check and walk-through
- I check the wall before we leave
- We walk the finished wall together
- Site cleaned up, debris hauled off
- Satisfaction guaranteed on every job
Get a free estimate for your block wall
Tell us the wall's height, what sits on or behind it and if your lot is a hillside. We reply within one business day, and the on-site estimate is free with no obligation.
Block wall questions from San Rafael
Here are straight answers to what San Rafael homeowners ask about block walls. If yours isn't here, call (628) 234-2038 and ask.
Does my block wall need a permit in San Rafael?
Yes, if it's over four feet from the bottom of the footing to the top, or if it holds up a slope, a structure or other weight. The city issues building permits for those walls. Since the footing counts toward that height, a wall that looks about three feet tall can still need one.
When does a retaining wall in San Rafael need an engineer?
Any time something behind or on top of the wall pushes sideways on it, the city wants an engineer to evaluate it. That covers a slope, parked cars, a pool or pool pump, a house or porch footing, and even a fence on top. If your wall carries any of those, plan on an engineer from the start.
Do I need city review for a block wall on a San Rafael hillside?
Yes. The city's Planning Division requires Design Review for retaining walls on hillside lots, which it defines as a slope of 25 percent or more or a lot in the -H Overlay. A wall out in the public right of way along the street needs an Encroachment permit from Public Works, and 50 cubic yards or more of digging and fill needs a Public Works permit.
Who is allowed to build a block wall in California?
You need a contractor licensed by the Contractors State License Board for any job where labor and materials together come to $500 or more. The board says contractors have to be licensed before they bid, so check the license before you take bids and confirm current rules with the board.
Does a concrete block wall need sealing or upkeep?
If you put a water repellent on the face, plan on new coats down the road, because surface repellents need reapplying after some years to keep shedding water. Beyond that, keep the drain openings near the base clear so water behind the wall can get out.
Will the white powder on my block wall make it weaker?
No. That white deposit is efflorescence, a layer of salts left on the surface, and it won't affect how the wall holds up. It can be a looks problem, so if it bothers you, ask us about cleaning it and about where the water behind it is coming from.
Other work that goes with block walls
- Service
Retaining wall construction
If your slope needs holding back but block isn't the look you want, we build retaining walls in other materials too, sized to what sits behind them.
Read more Retaining wall construction - Service
Foundation block wall installation
When block has to carry a house, addition or garage instead of holding back soil, that's foundation work, and we plan the footing and steel for that load.
Read more Foundation block wall installation - Service
Outdoor kitchen masonry
Once a new wall levels your yard, a block grill counter, bar or seat wall often comes next, and we build it on the same kind of footing.
Read more Outdoor kitchen masonry
Ask for a free block wall estimate
Request an estimate- VisitSan Rafael, CA 94901
- Call(628) 234-2038
- Emailteam@sanrafaelconcreteandmasonry.com
- HoursMon–Fri: 8 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun: 6 AM–9 PM
Block walls in and around San Rafael
We're based in San Rafael and build block walls in Novato, Mill Valley and the other cities below. Pick yours, or call (628) 234-2038 if it isn't listed.