What is the best material to fill behind a retaining wall?

• <div><p>Sand and gravel are two suitable options for filling behind a retaining wall. If you’re building your own retaining wall, you’ll complete this part of the process—known as backfilling—after you finish laying the blocks. Make sure not to skip it—otherwise, you could wind up with drainage issues, which can cause your retaining wall to collapse.</p></div>

Top-rated retaining wall installation pros.

Get matched with top retaining wall installation pros in Greenville, PA

Enter your ZIP and get matched with up to 5 pros

Need a pro for your retaining wall installation project in Greenville, PA?

Select your specific project to find the pro for you.

TRUSTED BY GREENVILLE, PA HOMEOWNERS

4.8
Average homeowner rating
63
Verified retaining wall installation services reviews

Verified Reviews for Retaining Wall Installation pros in Greenville, PA

*The Angi rating for Retaining Wall Installation companies in Greenville, PA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Retaining Wall Installation needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Retaining Wall Installation companies in Greenville, PA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Retaining Wall Installation needs.

Last update on November 22, 2025

Reviewed in September 2013
exceptional quality of work. we had a little scheduling the job, mostly problem on my end. once scheduled, work was completed in a timely manner. Rich is easy to work with and does fine work. will use him again.t
Buckeye Beauty Landscaping & Excavating
Request a quote
Reviewed in February 2015
They were great. They were very friendly, very nice and showed up when they were supposed to. The owner kept coming back and checked on the work before it was all done data basing what went wrong or anything at all to call them and they would come fix it. It was very nice and I was very...
Vance's Landscape Company
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2014
Very pleased with the installation. It took a few weeks longer than expected, but the bad weather was a big factor.
Kilmer's Lawn Care
Request a quote
Reviewed in January 2016
He did an excellent job even thought the flooring was not even. It looks great. I had used him in the bast to do brickwork and landscape work. He also did my roof and it is the best in the neighborhood. There is nothing Alex and his team cannot do. He is one stop shopping for sure. He did a...
Alex's Landscaping
Request a quote
Reviewed in April 2012
He did a really good job. He came out and talked about the plan. He removed some trees, trimmed some trees and built a retaining wall. He had to take out the old landscaping. It was him, and two other days. It took him two days. I would definitely recommend him. He stuck with exactly what we...
DelFratte's Landscaping Inc
Request a quote
Reviewed in October 2012
They did a great job for us. He is very creative with his work. I like how he draws out the whole design plan for me, and he is very meticulous. He is very neat and clean, and also responsible and trustworthy. I feel comfortable leaving the house while they are here.
Tipton's Landscaping
Request a quote
Reviewed in July 2014
Went well. Tony was extremely knowledgeable about what trees, shrubs would be good for the application. He had ideas from the start and it did not take long to come up with a plan. He suggested things and offered alternatives. He was hands on during the whole process. The tree planted is perfect...
Second Nature Landscape Services Inc
Request a quote
Reviewed in June 2011
Prior to beginning a project Dale meets with us to ensure that we are all in agreement on the details. On occasion he has made recommendations for changing one of our original concepts which has invariably turned out to be a better idea. And when we have decided mid-project that we'd like to...
Gibson Landscaping
Request a quote

Retaining Wall Installers questions, answered by experts

Most retaining wall installations can be finished in one to three weeks, but the timeline varies based on factors like wall size and material. The local climate and major weather events, such as storms or flooding, can also extend the project's timeline, as can any holds ups in the permitting process.

Sand and gravel are two suitable options for filling behind a retaining wall. If you’re building your own retaining wall, you’ll complete this part of the process—known as backfilling—after you finish laying the blocks. Make sure not to skip it—otherwise, you could wind up with drainage issues, which can cause your retaining wall to collapse.

Even if you think you know how to build a retaining wall theoretically, doing the actual work is a completely different story. There are lots of nuances in building retaining walls, and the slightest oversight can compromise their integrity. Therefore, we recommend you hire a pro to build, repair, or replace retaining walls.

If you don’t backfill a retaining wall—either at all or adequately enough—the wall won’t drain well, and water will be able to pass through it. Poor drainage will lead to a warped wall or a buildup of hydrostatic pressure, which can eventually collapse your retaining wall. If you have particularly sloped land, consult a structural engineer to ensure your hardscaping is adding value to your home.

The lifespan of a retaining wall varies based on its particular material, whether it was properly installed, how well it’s maintained, and your local climate. Concrete, stone, and brick retaining walls last the longest, with concrete lasting between 50 and 100 years on average. Brick tends to last the longest, with a minimum of one century, under the right conditions.

Timber retaining walls can start to deteriorate at 20 years, depending on the wood quality, but in the best case, they can last 40 years. Pressure-treated wood retaining walls last 30 years on average.

The Greenville, PA homeowners’ guide to retaining wall installation services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Rachel Hoffman
•
May 5, 2025May 5, 2025
How Much Does Landscaping Cost? [2025 Data]
Landscaping your yard adds curb appeal and expands your home’s living space into the outdoors. Learn how much landscaping costs for various projects.
Mizuki Hisaka
•
Oct 17, 2025Oct 17, 2025
How Much Does a Backyard Putting Green Cost? [2025 Data]
Looking to step up your golf game without leaving your property? This guide details backyard putting green costs to help you decide if this project is worth it.
Allie Ogletree
•
Oct 28, 2025Oct 28, 2025
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Hydroponic Garden?
Growing plants with a hydroponic gardening water system can be a big investment. To know how much it costs to build a hydroponic garden, consider the system, technology, size, and whether you hire a pro. This guide will help calculate costs.
Mitchell Grant
•
Mar 11, 2025Mar 11, 2025
5 Questions to Ask About Minor Grading or Resloping Your Property
There are reasons to grade or slope your yard beyond aesthetics—drainage is the main one. Read on and learn how to have an informed discussion with your pro.
Deane Biermeier
•
Aug 7, 2025Aug 7, 2025
Dirt vs. Soil: How They’re Different and Why It Matters
While similar, comparing dirt versus soil comes down to what's inside the material, its usefulness, and how it performs, depending on how you intend to use it.
Barbara Bellesi Zito
•
Oct 20, 2025Oct 20, 2025
Who Can I Hire to Aerate My Lawn and How Much Does It Cost?
Are you wondering, “Who can I hire to aerate my lawn?” Learn how to find and hire a local lawn service to get the job done and make your yard look healthy.