Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. Today, we're talking about something homeowners don't always think about until there's a problem: retaining walls. Specifically, we're breaking down the main retaining wall designs and materials, and how to figure out which combo actually makes sense for your North Carolina property. If you've ever looked at a wall in your yard and wondered, “Is this thing supposed to lean like that?”—yeah, this episode is for you.
Let's get into it. So, here in North Carolina, we deal with a mix of clay soil, steep grades, heavy rain, and seasonal temperature swings. That means retaining walls aren't just decorative — they're structural. They have to deal with water pressure, shifting soil, and slope loads.
The two biggest reasons walls fail? Bad drainage and choosing the wrong wall type for the site. So, let's go through the main wall designs and what materials actually fit each one.
Gravity walls are the “classic chunky boys.” They hold back soil using their own weight. Materials you'll see are large concrete blocks, natural stone, gabion baskets, and timber (for short or temporary installs). These are great for small height changes and garden areas. In NC's clay-heavy regions, gabions are popular because they drain incredibly well.
Cantilever walls are reinforced concrete shaped like an L. They use the weight of the soil on the base to keep everything stable. They work well for medium to tall walls, usually up to around 20 to 25 feet. You'll see these in basements, driveways, parking areas — places where strength matters. If the wall gets really tall, contractors add counterforts — basically support ribs hidden behind the wall.
Sheet piles are thin walls made of steel, vinyl, or precast concrete driven deep into the ground. These are best for waterfront properties, soft or saturated soil, narrow areas with no room for bulky walls. If you're building near a lake, river, or marshy zone, this might be your go-to.
Anchored walls use steel cables drilled deep into the ground behind the wall. They're ideal for very tall walls or tight urban spaces where you need strength but don’t have room for big foundations.
Now reinforced soil or MSE walls use layers of geogrid reinforcement inside compacted backfill, with a block or panel face. They're a favorite for long driveways, road edges, and large slopes. Great drainage, great strength, and usually more budget-friendly for long runs.
All right, so... how to choose the right combo? Here's a simple checklist: Short wall? Gravity. Medium to tall wall? Cantilever or MSE. Limited space? Sheet pile. Very tall or high pressure? Anchored wall. Wet areas or waterfront? Sheet pile or gabion gravity systems. Clay-heavy NC soils? Prioritize drainage-heavy designs like MSE or gabion variations. And no matter what: plan drainage first.
That's it for today's breakdown. If you're unsure which design fits your property, talking to a local contractor who understands North Carolina's soil, slope, and drainage conditions can save you a lot of trouble later. For homeowners who want guidance, the team at Main Street Retaining Walls can help. Just click on the link in the description.
Main Street Retaining Walls
City: Charlotte
Address: 635 Atando Ave
Website: https://mainstreetretainingwalls.com/
Phone: +1 704 961 9302
Email: [email protected]

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