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We build brick retaining walls in Aurora, CO that control slopes and create usable outdoor space while adding style to your yard. Our team designs proper footings, drainage, and reinforcement so your wall resists movement and frost. From garden borders to multi tiered walls, we customize each project to your site.
Superior Masonry Aurora provides professional brick retaining walls throughout Aurora, CO, Colorado and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (720) 927-8800 or request your free quote.
Brick retaining walls built for Aurora’s slopes and soils
Aurora yards are rarely perfectly flat, and our Front Range clay soils move a lot as they get wet and dry. Brick retaining walls from Superior Masonry Aurora are designed to control that movement, keep soil where it belongs, and create usable level space without looking like a concrete bunker. We focus on how your property actually drains, how steep the grade is, and how the wall will be used, then build a brick solution that fits your home and lasts through our freeze and thaw cycles.
When we meet on site, we walk the slope with you, check where water currently flows during storms, look for signs of previous settling, and locate underground utilities. From there we can recommend whether a single lower wall, a series of terraced brick retaining walls, or a combination of brick and steps or planters will work best. Our goal is to combine function and appearance so you get both erosion control and a cleaner, more usable yard.
How we design brick retaining walls that actually last here
Good retaining walls in Aurora start with design, not just stacking brick. Our team begins by calculating wall height, expected soil pressure, and drainage needs based on your specific site. For walls over roughly 3 to 4 feet, we often coordinate with an engineer, especially on steep slopes or near structures, to be sure the design meets safety and code requirements.
You can choose between structural brick facing over a concrete masonry backup, or certain structural brick units where appropriate. For taller walls, we typically use reinforced concrete or concrete block as the structural core, then lay brick as the finished face. This approach gives you the classic brick look while keeping the wall strong against Colorado’s expansive soils. We also plan for cap bricks, edging, and how the wall will transition into existing patios, driveways, or fences so there are no awkward gaps or trip hazards.
Materials, brick options, and matching your home
Superior Masonry Aurora sources brick that suits both our climate and local architecture. Many Aurora homeowners want their retaining walls to complement brick on their house, chimney, or porch. We can usually get a close match in color and texture by working with the same regional suppliers builders use for new homes around Parker Road, Quincy, and Saddle Rock.
You can pick from wirecut brick for a clean, modern look, handmade or tumbled brick for a softer, traditional feel, or textured units that hide minor dirt and weathering. We also discuss mortar color, which has a big impact on the overall look. In high sun areas, like south-facing yards, we suggest bricks and mortar that resist fading and efflorescence stains. For stepped or terraced brick retaining walls, we may mix stretcher bond on the main runs with soldier or rowlock courses on the caps for both strength and character.
If you prefer low-maintenance, we guide you toward brick products with high compressive strength and low water absorption so that winter freeze cycles in Aurora are less likely to cause surface flaking or spalling over the years.
Step-by-step process to build your brick retaining wall
Our construction process is methodical so the wall can handle Aurora’s wet springs and heavy summer downpours. First, we excavate to create a stable base, usually digging down well below finished grade and beyond the wall line to account for footing width. Any soft or organic soil is removed and replaced with compacted structural fill. This is crucial in our area because clay pockets can swell and shrink with moisture.
Next we install a compacted gravel base and pour a concrete footing sized for the wall height and soil conditions. For structural walls, we set concrete block or a reinforced concrete stem wall on that footing. We place vertical rebar and sometimes horizontal reinforcement, then grout cells as needed for strength.
We install drainage features before the face brick goes up. This typically includes a perforated drain pipe behind the wall at footing level, wrapped in filter fabric and surrounded by washed rock. We also place clean gravel backfill directly behind the wall to let water flow freely to the drain pipe, then daylight that pipe to a safe discharge point. Only after this structure is in place do we lay the face brick, checking level and alignment constantly.
Finally, we install cap bricks, tool the mortar joints for a tight seal, and restore the surrounding grade and landscaping. We slope soil slightly away from the wall top, then discuss landscape choices that will not overload the wall with extra water, such as choosing drip irrigation instead of spray heads that soak the face.
Local factors that affect cost and timing
Several local realities influence what your brick retaining wall will cost and how long it will take. Wall height is the biggest driver. Taller walls generally need engineering, more steel reinforcement, deeper footings, and more detailed drainage, which all add labor and material cost. Complex layouts, such as curved walls around existing patios in neighborhoods like Tallyn’s Reach or around walkout basements, also take more time than a straight run.
Access is another major factor in Aurora. Narrow side yards, existing fences, or steep driveways can limit equipment and require more hand digging or small power tools. Soil conditions matter too. If we encounter expansive clay or old fill soil, we may need to over-excavate and replace with compacted structural fill, which we will discuss with you on site before proceeding.
Seasonally, we try to avoid mortar work on very cold days or during active snowstorms. Brick retaining walls can be built in winter, but we must protect fresh mortar from freezing with insulating blankets or temporary heat. In spring, we sometimes adjust schedules around long wet periods to avoid working in mud that cannot be compacted properly. We are upfront about these factors so you understand the reasoning behind our timeline and pricing.
Common retaining wall problems we prevent and repair
Aurora has many older retaining walls that were built without proper drainage or footing. The most common problems we see are bulging sections, stair-step cracks in the brick or mortar, and leaning walls that have been pushed by saturated soil. Superior Masonry Aurora designs new brick retaining walls to avoid these issues from the start with correct drainage, reinforcement, and backfill.
If you already have a failing wall, we can evaluate whether it can be partially rebuilt or if it must be fully replaced. For minor leaning, we may be able to remove and rebuild a section with added drainage and reinforcement. For walls that have rotated significantly or shifted the soil behind them, full replacement is usually safer. During repairs, we often install modern drain pipe and gravel backfill even if the original wall had none, then relay brick to match the existing look as closely as possible.
We also pay attention to surface water sources, such as downspouts that discharge near the wall or sloped concrete that sends runoff directly into the backfill zone. Rerouting downspouts, adding surface drains, or slightly regrading around the wall can protect your investment and prevent future movement.
What to expect when you hire Superior Masonry Aurora
We live and work in the same Aurora neighborhoods where we build, so we know that construction at your home affects your routine and your neighbors. Before any work begins, we provide a written scope that explains the wall design, materials, drainage plan, expected start and finish dates, and how we will protect your yard. We handle utility locates through Colorado 811 and coordinate with you on parking and access.
During the job, you can expect daily cleanup, clear communication about noisy phases like excavation, and straightforward updates if weather changes our schedule. Once the brick retaining wall is complete, we walk it with you, explain how water is managed, and point out any areas where you should avoid heavy loads or future digging. We also offer guidance on landscaping around the wall so that roots, irrigation, and planting beds do not create water or weight issues over time.
If you are considering brick retaining walls anywhere in Aurora, from small garden terraces to large structural walls along a property line, we invite you to schedule an on-site visit. Superior Masonry Aurora will give you practical design options, honest cost explanations, and a plan that respects both your budget and the realities of Colorado’s climate.
