Originally posted in 2023; updated in 2026
Retaining walls offer a beautiful way to add a sense of structure and intention to your landscape.
You may be considering having one installed in your own yard, or you may even be thinking of building one on your own.
But before you can build the retaining wall of your dreams, there are certain key points you need to consider so you don’t end up making some easily avoidable mistakes.
As landscaping professionals, we see these errors every day, and we’re here to help ensure you don’t make the same ones! Let’s look at some common mistakes to avoid when installing a retaining wall.
What Is a Retaining Wall?
A retaining wall is a man-made wall that “retains,” or holds back soil.Retaining walls are primarily used to keep soil from eroding or to create levels in sloped areas for more usable space.
Depending on your soil and the amount of sloping in your yard, a retaining wall can be an essential structural element of your landscape.
Things To Consider When Planning Your Retaining Wall
If you need to level the sloped ground to create more usable space in your backyard, or if you just want to add a bit more structure to your landscape, a retaining wall is a great solution. But building a stylish and functional retaining wall will require careful planning on your part, especially if you plan to do it yourself.
Some things to consider before installing a retaining wall:
- To Repair or Replace? If you already have a failing retaining wall, you’ll need to determine if it’s best to make repairs or completely replace it. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time for a replacement:
- Leaning more than 1-2 inches
- Large horizontal cracks
- Constant water seepage
- Multiple shifting sections
- Rotting wood (if your wall is made of wood)
- Materials: Next, you’ll need to choose what materials you want to use for your retaining wall. Many retaining walls are made of stone or wood, while others are built with concrete or mortared brick. (See below for more info about material choices.)
- Function: Determine what exactly your retaining wall is going to be used for. Do you need it primarily to prevent erosion, or simply to create structure within your landscaping design? This will affect your material choice.
- Budget: Price can vary significantly among the available materials, so make sure you choose one that meets your requirements while staying within your price range.
9 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing a Retaining Wall
Now that you’re ready to get started building your retaining wall, take it from the experts: there are a lot of things that can go wrong! Here are some of the most common mistakes made when installing a retaining wall, and how you can avoid them.
1. Choosing the Wrong Material
Retaining walls can be made from a variety of materials, but you want to make sure you choose the right materials to ensure your wall lasts a long time. Your material choice should be dependent on the height, slope, soil, climate, and drainage conditions of your site.
For example, if you live in a rainy climate, you’ll want to stay away from using wood, as your retaining wall will more easily rot or attract termites. If your foundational soil is too soft, a brick retaining wall may shift or collapse without the right reinforcement.
To ensure you choose the best material, we recommend consulting a landscape designer or engineer.
2. Not Providing Adequate Drainage
One of the most common problems with retaining walls has to do with drainage.
Your wall is designed to hold back soil, and soil holds water. Without proper drainage, water can easily build up behind the wall, causing it to bulge, crack, or even collapse!
To avoid this, you’ll want to install a perforated drain pipe and a layer of clear backfill gravel. This will allow the water to drain through the soil and avoid any hydrostatic pressure on your retaining wall.
3. Forgetting the Frost Line
In colder climates like Minnesota’s, it’s essential to consider the frost line when installing your retaining wall. The frost line is the depth at which the soil freezes in winter, and it varies depending on your location, which you can check here. If your wall is not built below the frost line, the freezing and thawing process can cause the wall to shift, crack, or lean over time.
To avoid this, you should dig your wall foundation at least a foot below the frost line, and use a compacted gravel base to prevent moisture from reaching the wall.
4. Too Much Weight Behind the Wall
The higher your wall, the more weight it’s going to have to carry. If you have a particularly high wall you’ll want to make sure that it’s properly reinforced to stand up to the pressure.
You can do this by extending the footing (i.e., the reinforced concrete at the base of the wall). You might also need to install anchors or tiebacks for added support. To make sure everything is up to par, we highly recommend consulting a professional so you don’t end up with any major problems down the road.
5. Inadequate Footing
Speaking of footing, different types of retaining walls will require different types of footing.
For example, a poured-in-place concrete wall will have a different footing requirement than a segmental or wooden wall. If you don’t install adequate footing, your retaining wall will likely tip forward or bulge out over time.
If you plan to use more flexible materials such as stone, wood, or bricks without any mortar, you can use a compacted stone footing. For walls built from concrete, cement, brick, or cinder blocks, you’ll want durable, concrete footing.
6. DIYing a Complicated Wall
If you want a simple retaining wall that’s just a foot high, you can definitely flex your DIY skills to get the project done.
But if it’s any more complicated than that — if you want the wall to be taller, made with heavier materials, or if it’s on a steep slope — we highly recommend getting some help from the professionals sooner rather than later. You don’t want to have to call them in after the fact and pay hundreds of dollars in repairs!
7. Not Maintaining Your Wall
If you’re committed to installing a retaining wall, you need to understand that it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it situation.
To ensure your wall lasts, you need to maintain it properly, which means checking regularly for any cracking, bulging, or leaning, and making those repairs. It also means cleaning the surface of the wall, monitoring the drainage system, and pulling any weeds growing up around the wall.
8. Ignoring Local Building Codes & Permit Requirements
A permit is not always required to build a retaining wall, but in many cases it is.
In Minnesota, retaining walls over a certain height (often around four feet, but it varies depending on your municipality) may require engineering plans, permits, and/or inspections. Building a retaining wall without them can delay your project or require you to make costly modifications later.
Before construction begins:
- Check your city’s permit requirements
- Learn about any setback regulations
- Determine whether engineering plans are required
When you hire an experienced landscaping contractor like McDonough to build your retaining wall, you won’t need to worry about these things. We’ll help navigate any city, county, or state requirements and ensure your project is built to code.
9. Hiring Based Solely on Price
Unlike planting flowers or laying mulch, retaining walls are a structural element in your landscape. And unfortunately, mistakes made during installation may not be obvious until months or years later.
An improperly installed retaining wall can lead to:
- Leaning or bowing walls
- Drainage problems
- Premature failure
- Costly repairs or complete replacement
That’s why hiring a pro based on experience — not solely price — is your best bet to ensure you have a long-lasting retaining wall.
When comparing contractors, ask them about:
- Their experience with retaining wall construction
- Drainage methods they use
- Base preparation options
- Material recommendations
- Warranties they offer on their workmanship
Properly built, your retaining wall should provide decades of performance, making quality installation well worth the investment.
Trust The Professionals at McDonough
At McDonough Landscaping, our landscaping pros have the expertise you need to avoid these common mistakes. When you choose McDonough, we’ll work closely with you to plan, design, and install the retaining wall of your dreams.
So don’t wait! Contact us today, and let’s get your retaining wall project started.