This retaining wall project was done in a backyard in Portland, Oregon. The yard had a slight slope, and soil kept washing toward the patio after heavy rain. A small retaining wall felt like the right solution.
Before photo – sloped yard and eroding soil.
The plan was to build a short wall using concrete blocks. Digging the trench took longer than expected because the soil was wetter than I thought. I also had to redo part of the base after realizing it wasn’t level.
During renovation – trench digging or block placement.
Stacking the blocks went smoother after that, but one section still leaned slightly. I took it apart and reset it rather than hoping it would “settle,” which cost extra time but felt safer.
After photo – finished retaining wall.
The wall isn’t perfectly straight from every angle, but it’s solid and already helping with drainage. For a Portland yard, it was a practical improvement more than a cosmetic one.
Honest Take
Getting the base right mattered more than anything else.