TORONTO RETAINING WALLS

General & Getting Started

What areas do you serve for retaining wall installation?

We serve all of Metropolitan Toronto—Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke, York, and East York.

How do I get started with Toronto Retaining Walls?

Send photos, rough dimensions, and your address. We schedule a site visit, confirm goals and budget, then provide a fixed, written quote.

What is your step-by-step process?

Site visit → design/engineering (if required) → fixed quote → Ontario One Call utility locates → permits (when needed) → excavation & base → drainage & geogrid → build → cleanup & walkthrough.

How long do projects take in Toronto?

Small garden walls: 2–4 days; mid-size block (SRW): 1–2 weeks; engineered/complex access: 2–4+ weeks, plus permitting when applicable.

What drives the cost of a retaining wall?

Length/height, material (boulder, block, poured, concrete block), soil conditions, access, disposal, drainage components, geogrid layers, engineering, and permits.

Do you work through winter?

Yes, case-by-case. We manage frost, safety, and curing; timelines can extend in freezing weather.

Do you handle utility locates and permits?

Yes. We request Ontario One Call locates and guide permitting/engineering with the City of Toronto when required.

Can a fence or railing be installed on top of the wall?

Often yes. Posts and loads may require engineered design and sleeves or dedicated footings.

How close can a wall be to the property line?

Zoning and engineering govern placement. We review your survey and City rules to position the wall legally and maintain drainage.

Are you insured and WSIB-covered?

Yes. We carry liability insurance and maintain WSIB coverage for our crews.

Do you remove and dispose of old walls?

Yes. Demo, responsible disposal, and cleanup are included unless noted otherwise.

Can you match colours and textures?

We source from Toronto suppliers to best-match colours/textures. Exact matches depend on product age and availability.

Where can I find quick answers before booking?

Visit our FAQs page for details on process, permits, timelines, drainage, costs, and warranties—then contact Toronto Retaining Walls to schedule a site visit.

Boulder Retaining Walls

What is a boulder retaining wall?

Natural boulders or large stones stacked to retain soil—great for gardens and sloped yards with a rugged aesthetic.

When should I choose a boulder wall?

Choose boulders for a natural look, fast installation, and drainage-friendly builds where perfectly straight lines aren’t required.

Do boulder walls need engineering?

Heights and loads dictate it. We provide engineer-stamped designs when required for safety and code compliance.

How tall can a boulder wall be?

From low garden tiers to engineered systems. Max height depends on stone size, soils, and surcharge loads.

How are boulder walls drained?

Compacted base, buried first course, free-draining backfill, and perforated drain tile to daylight or a sump.

What maintenance do boulder walls need?

Minimal—control weeds, keep water moving away, and refresh joints or topsoil edges as needed.

Can you repair a shifted boulder wall?

Often yes by re-setting stones, improving drainage, and adjusting grade; severe movement may require partial rebuild.

Interlocking Block (SRW) Retaining Walls

What is an interlocking block (SRW) wall?

Modular concrete units that interlock with setback/batter, typically reinforced with geogrid and granular backfill.

Do SRW walls need a concrete footing?

No. They sit on a compacted granular base—ideal for Toronto’s freeze–thaw cycles.

When is geogrid required?

On taller walls or where there are surcharges (driveways, slopes, structures). Geogrid ties the wall face to the soil mass.

How high can an SRW wall go?

From short garden edges to engineered multi-tier systems. Heights beyond limits require engineering.

Can you build curves, corners, and steps?

Yes. SRW systems offer tight curves, corners, integrated steps, landings, and lighting for a cohesive look.

How are caps secured?

Adhesive or mechanical connectors per manufacturer specs, with aligned joints and proper overhang.

Can you repair a leaning SRW wall?

Sometimes by rebuilding sections with drainage and geogrid. Advanced failure usually needs replacement.

Are SRW walls suitable for driveways?

Yes, with engineered design to handle vehicle loads and proper base and reinforcement.

Poured Concrete Retaining Walls

What is a poured concrete retaining wall?

A formed, steel-reinforced concrete wall poured on site—great for modern aesthetics and tight footprints.

When is poured concrete the best choice?

When you need a sleek look, narrow footprint, integrated railings, or specific structural performance.

Do poured walls need footings and rebar?

Yes. Structural footings and rebar cages are typical, designed to resist lateral earth pressure.

Will a poured wall crack?

Concrete can crack. We mitigate with rebar, control joints, curing, and drainage; hairline cosmetic cracks are possible.

What finishes are available?

Smooth, broom, exposed aggregate, architectural form-liner, parging, or stone/brick veneer.

How is drainage handled for poured walls?

Footing drains, weep holes, clear-stone backfill, waterproofing where appropriate, and positive surface grading.

Can poured concrete walls be repaired?

Hairline cracks may be sealed or injected; structural issues often require partial demolition and rebuild.

Concrete Block Retaining Walls

What is a concrete block retaining wall?

Walls built with standard concrete blocks (CMU) or specialty units; can be reinforced and grouted for strength.

How is a CMU wall different from SRW?

CMU walls are typically built on concrete footings and may be steel-reinforced; SRW uses modular blocks on a granular base with geogrid.

Do CMU walls require a footing?

Yes—reinforced concrete footings designed for site conditions and loads.

Can CMU walls be veneered?

Yes. Add stone, brick, or architectural panels for colour and texture while the structural CMU provides strength.

How are CMU walls drained?

Footing drains, weep holes, free-draining backfill, and waterproofing/parging as specified.

Can you repair damaged concrete block walls?

Localized cracks or spalls can be repaired; widespread movement usually calls for engineered replacement.

Gabion Retaining Walls

What is a gabion retaining wall?

A gabion wall uses heavy-duty wire baskets filled with stone to retain soil and manage slopes. It delivers a rugged, natural look with excellent drainage—ideal for Toronto properties that need stability and a modern, landscape-architect feel.

What sizes do gabion baskets come in and how tall can a wall be?

Common basket modules are roughly 2–3 ft deep, 3–6 ft long, and 1–3 ft high. We stack modules to reach the required height, stepping the wall back for stability. Low garden edges are typically 1–3 ft; engineered systems can go higher with proper design, base prep, and tie-backs.

Why choose a gabion wall over block, boulder, or concrete?

Gabions shine where drainage, speed, and a natural aesthetic matter. They resist freeze–thaw, allow water to pass through (reducing hydrostatic pressure), conform to irregular sites, and can reuse on-site stone. They’re a strong option near water features, for erosion control, or where a contemporary, stone-filled look fits the landscape.

How are gabion walls built and drained?

We prepare a compacted granular base, set the first course, assemble and anchor baskets, place filter fabric behind, and fill cages with durable stone in controlled lifts. Because the wall is permeable, water drains freely; we add additional drains or scour protection as needed and finish with clean grading.

Do gabion retaining walls require engineering or permits in Toronto?

Heights, nearby loads (driveways, slopes, structures), and proximity to property lines can trigger permits and engineer-stamped drawings. During the site visit we confirm City requirements and provide engineering where required to keep your project compliant.

Can you repair or refresh an existing gabion wall?

Often yes. We can re-tension or replace damaged baskets, top up or re-sort stone, improve base/drainage, and add scour protection. For severe movement or undersized baskets, a partial rebuild or engineered replacement may be the best long-term solution.

Repairs & Replacement (All Types)

Do you repair retaining walls in Toronto?

Yes. We address leaning, bulging, cracking, frost heave, drainage failures, and unsafe conditions across all wall types.

How do I know if my wall needs replacement?

Severe leaning, rotation, major cracking, or loss of base/drainage typically indicate replacement is the safest, most economical option.

Can you add height to an existing wall?

Adding height changes loads; often we rebuild with an engineered design or create terraced tiers for stability.

Do you replace old railroad tie or timber walls?

Yes. We replace timbers with SRW block, boulder, poured concrete, or CMU for longer life and improved safety.

How do you fix poor drainage behind an existing wall?

Install perforated drains/weep paths, swap clay for clear stone, regrade surfaces, and add filter fabrics to separate soils.

What warranty do you offer on repairs?

Repair warranties vary by scope and condition; replacements include our workmanship warranty plus any manufacturer warranties.

Permits, Engineering, Warranty & Maintenance

When is a permit or engineer required in Toronto?

For certain heights, loads, proximity to property lines/ROWs, or structures. We confirm City requirements and coordinate engineers.

What’s included in your quote?

Scope, materials, base and drainage, disposal, equipment, labour, optional engineering/permits, schedule, and workmanship warranty.

What is your workmanship warranty?

A clear workmanship warranty on installation (term confirmed at contract) plus manufacturer material warranties where applicable.

What can void a warranty?

Unusual ground movement, flooding, unapproved alterations, vehicle impacts, or poor surface drainage/maintenance.

What seasonal maintenance do you recommend?

Direct water away, keep weep paths clear, avoid de-icers on caps, and don’t store heavy loads at the wall edge.

Do you offer phased projects or financing referrals?

Yes. We can phase scopes (e.g., drainage now, wall later) and provide referrals for financing where available.