A concrete retaining wall design usually sits on a concrete footing and is used to retain either landscaping, stairwells, or grade changes. Concrete retaining walls are constructed by pouring the concrete into the already laid out forms. Once the retaining walls have been poured into the form and it hardens, you are ready to apply your waterproofing and drainage.

Do it yourself retaining walls such as interlocking retaining walls use a tongue and groove system to lock together. Interlocking retaining walls have several un-sealed connections that hook together. Interlocking retaining walls can shift easier than other types of retaining walls and even though they do not appear damaged, they can still exhibit all of the signs of water seepage. Interlocking retaining wall design is prone to expansive and soft soils, which can cause cracks and shifts in the foundation. Drainage to remove hydrostatic pressure and to release the built up water weight in soft soils against interlocking retaining walls is crucial. dimpled membrane with drain tiles are key for successful interlocking retaining walls. They allow the water to drain down to your drainage system and help remove the extra water weight from the wall.

Wood retaining walls are made from a pressure treated wood. Installing wood retaining walls can be quick and easy but if proper water drainage isn't considered, the life of wood retaining walls will be short. When water seeps through wood retaining walls, it can emit formaldehyde toxins into the environment, onto your stairs or driveway. This is a result of the pressure treating the wood for retaining walls receive. It is very important that if you want an extended life for your wood retaining walls, add waterproofing protection on the backfilled side.

Insulated concrete forms (ICF's) used for retaining walls have concrete poured between two layers of foam panels. Inside your home ICF retaining walls are generally covered with stucco. When pouring concrete for retaining walls into ICF's, you cannot see if there are any rock pockets, voids, or honeycombs. These can lead to water seepage to the visible side of your retaining walls. Water seepage through the ICF retaining walls can be impossible to fix from the visible side. Remember to include water drainage and waterproofing in your retaining wall design.