


Retaining Wall Construction in Maryland’s Eastern Shore & the Delaware Beaches
At Keystone Pavers, we build retaining walls for homeowners throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Delaware Beaches. Whether you need to level out a sloped backyard, control erosion, or add structure and depth to your landscaping, our retaining walls are built to last a lifetime.
As ICPI-certified installers and authorized contractors for both Techo-Bloc and Unilock, we use only premium products and proven installation techniques.
Do I Need a Permit for My Retaining Wall?
In many of the counties and towns we serve, retaining walls over 36 inches tall may require a building permit or engineered drawings, especially if the wall will support a surcharge such as a driveway, any type of structure, or an elevated patio.
Our team handles the entire permitting process for you. From design to final inspection, we ensure your new retaining wall complies with all local building codes and setback requirements across Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County, Kent County, and Sussex County, DE.
Why Drainage Is Critical for Long-Lasting Retaining Walls
Many of the failing walls we replace weren’t built with proper drainage in mind. Without it, water pressure builds up behind the wall—leading to bowing, cracks, or collapse.
We prevent this by designing every wall with site-specific drainage solutions, including:
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- Perforated pipe systems or French drains
- Free-draining stone backfill
- Filter fabric and blanket drains for larger walls
- Proper weep hole placement and exit grading
When you hire Keystone Pavers, you're getting a retaining wall designed to stand the test of time—even in coastal or moisture-prone environments.
Understanding Retaining Wall Surcharges
A surcharge is any added weight behind or above a retaining wall—like a fence, parking pad, or elevated structure. Surcharges add stress and require reinforcement to prevent shifting or failure.
Common surcharge scenarios we build for include:
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- Driveways, RV pads, or boat storage areas
- Multi-tiered wall systems
- Fencing, handrails, or sheds installed at the top of the wall
When needed, we use geogrid reinforcement and consult with structural professionals to ensure your wall is safe, stable, and compliant.
What Materials Do We Use?
We offer several high-performance retaining wall options using products known for their durability, style, and regional availability:
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- Segmental concrete block systems from Techo-Bloc and Unilock
- Natural stone walls for a timeless look
- Boulder walls for large-scale, rustic-grade changes
We’ll help you choose the right material based on your site, soil conditions, and design goals.
Ready to get started?
Call us today at (443) 262-8046 or contact us online to schedule your estimate for a custom-built retaining wall.
Retaining Wall Replacement
We specialize in replacing and rebuilding retaining walls that have failed or are leaning or collapsing
Retaining Wall Repairs
It's pretty common for us to get called out to repair an existing retaining wall that has collapsed or failed in some way. This could be an old wood retaining wall that is rotting away or a block wall that is bulging or on the verge of collapse if it has not collapsed already.
Typically we don't recommend "repairing" retaining walls. The wall has failed for a reason and that reason is typically poor construction or a poor choice of materials. When a wall has failed we will usually recommend tearing the wall out and replacing it. This would include demolition of the old wall, re-excavating the area to allow for proper base materials, installation of proper drainage, and proper backfill. Building it right is the more cost effective option in most situations.
Rebuilding Failed Retaining Walls
If your existing retaining wall has failed and needs to be replaced it's usually more cost effective to demolish the old wall, remove the materials, re-excavate the site, install a proper base, geo-grid if necessary, install drainage, and build the retaining wall properly.
We specialize in rebuilding retaining walls that have failed and would be happy to provide you with a consultation if you have a wall that you believe needs to be replaced.
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