Allan Block

Allan Block retaining wall systems in San Diego County

Allan Block is the most widely specified engineered segmental retaining wall system in San Diego County, used on everything from residential hillsides to commercial grading projects. We connect homeowners and property owners with insured local crews that install Allan Block to manufacturer specifications, including the correct batter angle, geogrid reinforcement layers on taller walls, and drainage aggregate behind the face. For walls over four feet, an engineered plan is required and your crew handles the permit.

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Completed Allan Block segmental retaining wall on a graded residential lot in San Diego County with visible cap course and drainage outlet

What's included in Allan Block retaining walls?

Excavate base trench and install compacted road-base pad to manufacturer tolerance
Set base course at the correct embedment depth and batter angle for wall height
Lay Allan Block units in running bond with drainage aggregate placed in lifts as wall rises
Install geogrid reinforcement layers at specified intervals on walls over 28 inches high
Place perforated drain pipe at the base of drainage aggregate and run outlet to daylight
Set cap units with construction adhesive and backfill finished slope to grade

When do you need Allan Block retaining walls?

A hillside lot needs a taller structural wall that will support a surcharge load such as a driveway, patio, or structure above
A previous concrete block wall failed or needs replacement and the new wall must meet current engineered standards
An HOA or municipality requires an engineered segmental system for visual consistency in a newer development
A slope stabilization project needs a combination of wall and geogrid reinforcement working together

What do homeowners ask about Allan Block retaining walls?

What makes Allan Block different from standard concrete block?

Allan Block units are designed specifically for segmental retaining walls, with a built-in batter setback on each course and a hollow core that fills with drainage aggregate as the wall goes up. Standard CMU block is set vertically on a concrete footing. Allan Block walls rely on mass, batter, and geogrid for their structural load path rather than a reinforced concrete core, which makes them faster to build and well-suited to residential grading.

When does an Allan Block wall require geogrid reinforcement?

Allan Block's engineering tables specify geogrid at different intervals based on wall height, batter, and surcharge load. In practice, most walls over 28 inches high benefit from at least one geogrid layer, and walls over four feet in San Diego typically require an engineered design that specifies geogrid spacing. Your crew follows the manufacturer tables and any engineered plan requirements.

How long does an Allan Block wall last?

An Allan Block wall installed to manufacturer spec typically lasts 50 years or more. The concrete units themselves are durable; the failure modes are inadequate drainage causing hydrostatic pressure, insufficient geogrid on taller walls, and base course movement from inadequate compaction. All three are installation variables, not material limits.

Service area

Where do we offer Allan Block Retaining Walls in San Diego County?

We match Allan Block retaining walls jobs in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.

Central Allan Block Retaining Walls in San Diego Canyon-cut terrain across the city means graded hillside lots and split-level yards where retaining walls hold slopes and create usable flat space.

North Coastal Allan Block Retaining Walls in Oceanside A mix of flat coastal tracts and inland hillside blocks where retaining walls terrace sloped lots and stabilize graded pads.

North Coastal Allan Block Retaining Walls in Carlsbad Rolling coastal hills and canyon-edge lots where retaining walls hold slopes and create tiered yards and driveways.

North County Inland Allan Block Retaining Walls in Escondido Hilly inland valley ringed by steep terrain and decomposed-granite soil, where retaining walls stabilize graded hillside lots and terraces.

East County Allan Block Retaining Walls in El Cajon Valley floor ringed by steep hills where retaining walls hold hillside lots and stabilize cut slopes above the streets.

South County Allan Block Retaining Walls in Chula Vista Mesa-and-canyon terrain across the eastern hillsides where retaining walls hold graded slopes between tiered streets and pads.

See Allan Block retaining walls in all 67 cities