Wall Notes
Wall Notes: Retaining Wall Guides for Bay Area Homes
Design · 7 min read
Backyard Retaining Walls on Bay Area Slopes: Terraces, Tiers and Usable Space
A steep yard doesn't have to stay wasted. Here's how terraces and tiers can give you flat space that holds up.
Repair · 6 min read
Warning Signs Your Retaining Wall Is Leaning, Bulging or About to Fail
Some cracks are cosmetic. Others are the wall telling you it's moving. Here's how to tell them apart.
Planning · 6 min read
What Actually Drives the Price of a Retaining Wall in the Bay Area
Two walls that look alike can be priced very differently. Here are the things that actually move the number.
Materials · 7 min read
Concrete vs Block vs Timber: Which Retaining Wall for a Steep Bay Area Lot?
Each material has a job it does well and a job it doesn't. Here's how to pick one for a steep lot.
Permits · 6 min read
Do You Need a Permit for a Retaining Wall in San Francisco?
The short version is that taller walls and walls with a load on top usually do. Here's how the rule works and what else can trigger review.
Drainage · 7 min read
Why San Francisco Retaining Walls Fail After the First Big Atmospheric River
A wall that stood for twenty dry years can lean in one wet week. Here's what the water is actually doing back there.
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