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We design and build brick retaining walls in Scottsdale, AZ that stabilize soil while improving your landscape. Our masons consider drainage, footing depth, and layout to create walls that resist movement. From low garden edging to multi tiered yard walls, we use quality brick and reinforcement tailored to the site.
Superior Masonry Scottsdale provides professional brick retaining walls throughout Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (623) 288-3988 or request your free quote.
Brick Retaining Walls Built for Scottsdale Conditions
Brick retaining walls in Scottsdale have to do more than look good. They hold back soil in hard, rocky ground, deal with sudden monsoon downpours, and bake in high heat for most of the year. At Superior Masonry Scottsdale, we design and build brick retaining walls that are sized and engineered for these exact conditions, not for a mild climate back east.
Most of our brick retaining wall projects in Scottsdale solve one of three problems. First, stabilizing a sloped yard so it can be used for patios, pool decks, or play areas. Second, replacing failing old railroad tie or block walls that are leaning and cracking. Third, adding multi level brick planters that handle erosion around desert landscaping and drip irrigation. We look at how water flows on your property, the type of soil you have, and what loads the wall will support, like parked vehicles, pool edges, or structures.
Brick is often chosen here because it keeps its color in the sun better than many painted finishes, works well with stucco and paver styles common in Scottsdale, and can be repaired in small sections if something ever shifts. Superior Masonry Scottsdale takes time at the start to match brick color and texture to your home, your HOA requirements, and neighboring walls so the new construction does not look like an afterthought.
Design, Engineering, and Permits for Brick Retaining Walls
Before a shovel goes in the ground, brick retaining walls must be sized correctly. In Scottsdale and the rest of Maricopa County, any retaining wall above a certain height usually requires engineering and permits. Superior Masonry Scottsdale handles this process for you so you do not end up with a wall that has to be torn down or redone to meet code.
The design starts with measuring slope, proposed wall height, and any surcharge load, which is extra weight behind the wall from driveways, pools, or structures. For taller walls or poor soils, we involve a structural engineer who specifies footing depth, wall thickness, rebar layout, and any geogrid soil reinforcement. Shorter garden walls and planters are still designed with proper footing and drainage, just scaled appropriately.
You will choose the brick type, usually modular clay brick, concrete brick, or brick veneer over a concrete masonry core. Clay brick resists fading well and maintains a traditional look. Concrete brick offers more shapes and may reduce cost on larger walls. Veneer over a CMU core gives the appearance of solid brick with the strength of reinforced block. We go over these options with actual samples on site, since Scottsdale sun can make some colors appear lighter or washed out compared to showroom lighting.
For properties within Scottsdale city limits or HOA communities like McCormick Ranch, Desert Mountain, or DC Ranch, we review any height, color, or setback restrictions before drawings are finalized. This avoids the common problem of building a wall that violates community rules and triggers complaints from neighbors or management.
How We Build Brick Retaining Walls Step by Step
Superior Masonry Scottsdale follows a consistent process so your brick retaining wall performs as well as it looks. The first step is layout. We mark the wall line with stakes and string, verify elevations with a laser level, and confirm where utilities run. In older Scottsdale neighborhoods, irrigation lines and shallow electrical runs are common, so we locate and protect them before excavation.
Next is excavation and footing preparation. We dig to the depth specified by the engineer or by our standard details for shorter walls. In desert soils, we often encounter caliche, a hard cemented layer. Instead of ignoring it, we either cut into it to proper depth or adjust footing design as allowed by engineering, so the footing is fully supported. The trench is then compacted and, if required, a base layer of compacted aggregate is placed.
We set up forms and pour a reinforced concrete footing, usually with rebar dowels extending vertically to tie the wall into the footing. Once the footing cures to the proper strength, we begin masonry. For solid brick walls, courses are laid in running bond or another pattern you choose, with consistent joint thickness and level checked continuously. For veneer over a CMU core, we first build the reinforced block wall, place grout and rebar as required, then attach the brick veneer with ties.
Drainage is integrated as the wall goes up. We install perforated drain pipe behind the wall at footing level, sloped to daylight or to a drain outlet. Backfill is placed in layers with compacted gravel immediately behind the wall and native soil further back. We incorporate weep holes or hidden vents, depending on the design, so trapped water can escape instead of building pressure that pushes the wall forward during heavy monsoon storms.
Drainage, Erosion, and Common Problems We Prevent
Most retaining wall failures in Scottsdale trace back to poor drainage and inadequate reinforcement. Superior Masonry Scottsdale addresses both from the start. Water from monsoon downpours, roof runoff, and poorly directed drip irrigation can all build up behind a wall. If that water has nowhere to go, it creates hydrostatic pressure that causes bulging, cracking, and leaning.
To prevent this, we create a drainage system that fits your property layout. This typically includes washed rock directly behind the wall, a perforated drain line, and one or more discharge points where the water can exit without undermining patios, pool decks, or foundations. Where space is tight, such as side yards in older Scottsdale homes, we may incorporate vertical drains or connect to existing yard drainage so the new wall does not trap water in a low spot.
Erosion control is another concern on desert slopes. Bare decomposed granite will wash during heavy rains and can load a wall with unexpected soil accumulation. We often pair brick retaining walls with surface treatments like riprap, stabilized DG, or properly designed planting beds that hold soil in place. If you already have landscaping, we coordinate with your landscaper to protect existing plants while still getting the right compaction and backfill.
If you have a wall that is already leaning, we evaluate whether it can be partially salvaged or must be removed. In many cases, older timber or dry stacked walls are beyond repair. We remove them, stabilize the slope, and rebuild with proper footing, reinforcement, and drainage so the same failure does not repeat every few years.
Cost Factors for Brick Retaining Walls in Scottsdale
The cost of a brick retaining wall in Scottsdale varies widely, mainly based on height, length, access, and material choice. Superior Masonry Scottsdale provides written, line item estimates so you see where the money goes and can make informed decisions.
Height and engineering requirements are the largest drivers. A short, decorative planter wall built from brick veneer will cost much less per foot than a tall, engineered wall holding back a driveway or pool deck. Taller walls require deeper footings, more rebar, possible geogrid reinforcement, and more detailed inspections, all of which add to labor and material.
Access to the work area matters as well. If we can bring in small machinery through a side yard, excavation and backfill are faster and cheaper. In tight Scottsdale lots or hillside properties where everything has to be dug and hauled by hand, labor hours increase. We walk the property with you to discuss any obstacles such as narrow gates, pool equipment, or existing structures.
Material choices also affect cost. Solid clay brick in premium colors runs higher than standard concrete brick or brick veneer. Curved walls, decorative patterns, and special cap units add both labor and material. Sometimes we suggest combining a structural CMU wall where it will not be seen with brick facing in the visible areas, which keeps cost reasonable while maintaining the look you want.
We also factor in demolition of old walls, hauling, and disposal. Many Scottsdale projects involve removing failing wood tie walls soaked with chemicals or older masonry that must be broken out carefully around utilities. Including these tasks up front prevents surprise add ons later and keeps the project on schedule.
What to Expect When You Hire Superior Masonry Scottsdale
Working with Superior Masonry Scottsdale on a brick retaining wall project is straightforward. We start with an on site visit, usually within a few days of your call. During that visit, we measure, photograph, and discuss how you use your yard, what you want the wall to accomplish, and any HOA or city constraints you already know about.
Next, we provide a written proposal that covers design, materials, drainage, demo, and cleanup. If engineering or permits are required, we outline those steps and timelines. Once you approve the plan, we schedule the work, often coordinating around other trades like pool builders or landscapers if the wall is part of a larger project.
During construction, a lead mason is on site to answer questions and keep you updated on progress. We keep staging areas as tight as possible, which is important in Scottsdale neighborhoods with limited street parking or shared driveways. At the end of each workday, we secure the site and clean up debris so your property does not look like a long term jobsite.
When the wall is complete, we walk it with you and explain what we have done, where drainage outlets are located, and how to avoid common issues such as overwatering right at the wall or placing heavy objects too close to the edge without prior planning. Our goal is not just to finish a wall, but to leave you with a brick retaining structure that will perform reliably in Scottsdale’s heat and storms for many years with minimal maintenance.
