Concrete block walls in La Mesa CA - a wall that holds up to weather on both sides
Solid footing, steel inside, a cap on top
A concrete block wall is a masonry fence or retaining wall built on a poured footing. In La Mesa, we usually get the call when an old wall has cracked or a slope needs holding back. Block takes weather on both faces, so we put our effort into the footing, the steel and the cap.
Why a concrete block wall is worth building right
Block is solid, fireproof and doesn't rot, so it outlasts a wood fence along a property line. The same skills go into a foundation block wall or the base of an outdoor kitchen.
Price turns on the wall's length and height, whether it holds back soil, how easy the site is to reach and the cap you pick. The schedule turns on the city's permit review and its inspection stops. I'll look at the site and put the scope in writing.
Best for
- Property lines and side yards
- Replacing a cracked wall
- Sloped lots
- Yards that need privacy
Privacy and less noise
A solid block wall blocks sightlines and cuts street noise better than an open fence, which matters on busy roads and in tight side yards.
Takes weather on both faces
Sun and rain hit both sides of a freestanding wall, so we use block, mortar and grout meant to sit outside year after year.
Holds back a slope
With steel and grout in its hollow cores, block can hold back soil on a sloped lot, which is one of the most common calls we get.
Little upkeep afterward
A finished block wall doesn't need staining or board replacement the way wood does, and our crew leaves your site clean when we're done.
A block wall that lasts, footing to cap
- I look at your site myself and plan the footing and the dowels that anchor the wall to it, since that base keeps it from tipping or sliding.
- Our own masons lay the block, set the steel and fill the hollow cores with grout, and I check each stage before it gets covered up.
- La Mesa recommends hiring only a contractor licensed by the State of California. We're licensed and insured. We've been in business since 2017.
Choices for your block wall
I walk the wall line with you, look at what's next to it and tell you which block, finish and cap suit the spot, and why.
Plain gray block
Standard gray block suits back property lines and side yards, where the wall needs to be solid more than it needs to be seen.
Split-face block
Split-face block has a rough, stone-like face that looks finished on its own, so it suits walls facing the street or a patio.
Brick or stone cap
A cap of concrete brick, cast stone, brick or natural stone keeps water out of the top and can tie the wall to your house.
Retaining block wall
When the wall holds back soil, it gets more steel and drainage behind it, plus the city inspections covered in the questions below.
Tell us about your wall
Tell us where the wall goes, its length and height, and if it holds soil. We reply within one business day. The on-site estimate is free, no obligation.
Block wall questions from La Mesa homeowners
Do I need a permit to build a block wall in La Mesa?
Ask the city before you build, because La Mesa's Building Division requires permits for all new construction and its list of exempt work names certain fences, not block walls. Some walls get a permit over the counter, while others need plans left for more review. When a permit's needed, we handle the paperwork.
What inspections does a retaining block wall need in La Mesa?
La Mesa inspects retaining walls at the footing, after the block and steel go in but before grouting, after backfill, when soil goes back behind the wall, and when all work is done. Each stop falls at a set point in the build, so we plan the schedule around them. You stay responsible for making sure they happen, so we line up the calls with you.
How much can a contractor ask up front for a block wall in California?
No more than $1,000, and less on smaller jobs, under the state contractor licensing board's down payment rule. After that, each payment in the contract should match work finished or materials delivered, so you pay as the wall goes up. I put the scope in writing before we start, and our work is backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
How do you keep a concrete block wall from cracking or letting in water?
Steel and a good cap do most of the work. The block industry's trade association recommends horizontal steel and control joints, planned breaks where shrinkage can crack the wall in a straight line, placed by local practice. A cap along the top keeps water out of the hollow cores, which is why we put our effort into both.
Can a new block wall match the wall or house I already have?
Usually, yes. We match block size, face and color as closely as the supply allows and pick a cap that suits the house, because a new wall should look like it belongs next to what's already there. I'll show you samples when I look at the job.
Related block and masonry work
Foundation block wall installation
When an addition or crawlspace needs block under the house, we build it on the same footing and steel.
Explore Foundation block wall installationOutdoor kitchen masonry
If your new wall frames a patio, a block grill island can match its face and cap.
Explore Outdoor kitchen masonry