Concrete Block & Retaining Walls in Palm Beach County, Florida

Name: Thum Co.
Price range: $$

Professional concrete block wall and retaining wall construction throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas. Thum Co. Contractors builds residential perimeter walls, commercial masonry walls, retaining walls, screen enclosure walls, and structural block walls following engineering plans and Florida Building Code requirements.

Our masonry wall construction team serves West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas. We install quality concrete block and retaining wall systems that provide security, privacy, property definition, and erosion control.

Call (561) 366-2050 for a free concrete block or retaining wall estimate in Palm Beach County.

Types of Walls We Build

Residential Perimeter Walls

Property boundary walls providing privacy, security, and noise reduction for residential properties throughout Palm Beach County. Perimeter walls typically use 6-inch or 8-inch concrete block, range 4-8 feet tall, and include foundations, reinforcement, and appropriate finishes.

We’ve built perimeter walls throughout South Florida neighborhoods, custom estates, and residential developments working with homeowners and builders.

Retaining Walls

Structural walls holding back soil, managing grade changes, preventing erosion, and creating usable level areas from sloped terrain. Retaining walls require engineering design accounting for soil pressure, drainage, and structural loads.

We install retaining walls following engineered plans, with proper drainage systems preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup that causes wall failure throughout Palm Beach County.

Commercial Masonry Walls

Larger commercial building walls, warehouse perimeter walls, industrial facility enclosures, and commercial property barriers. Commercial walls may be taller, use heavier reinforcement, and require more complex structural design than residential applications.

We handle commercial masonry wall construction throughout South Florida working from structural engineering plans.

Screen Enclosure Walls

Knee walls (short walls) supporting screen enclosures around pools, patios, and outdoor living areas. These walls typically range 18-36 inches tall, include attachment points for screen framing, and coordinate with overall enclosure design.

Decorative and Architectural Walls

Walls using decorative block, split-face finishes, colored block, or architectural treatments providing aesthetic appeal beyond standard construction. We install decorative masonry throughout Palm Beach County residential and commercial properties.

Garden and Landscape Walls

Lower walls defining landscape areas, creating planters, organizing outdoor spaces, or providing decorative landscape features. Garden walls often use decorative block and may include seats, caps, or integrated planters.

Retaining Wall Design and Construction

Engineering Requirements

Retaining walls holding back more than 4 feet of soil or carrying structural loads require engineering design in Palm Beach County. Engineers calculate earth pressure, determine reinforcement requirements, specify drainage provisions, and design foundations adequate for wall loads.

We build retaining walls from engineered plans ensuring proper structural performance throughout South Florida.

Retaining Wall Components

Foundation: Poured concrete footings sized to support wall weight and resist overturning from soil pressure. Footing depth and width follow engineering specifications.

Block Wall: Reinforced concrete masonry using vertical rebar in grouted cells and horizontal reinforcement as specified. Wall thickness depends on height and soil pressure.

Drainage System: Perforated drain pipe (weep holes through wall at base) collects water behind walls preventing hydrostatic pressure. Gravel backfill allows water drainage to collection pipes.

Backfill: Proper backfill material and compaction prevent excessive pressure on walls. We use approved materials compacted to specifications.

Cap: Concrete or masonry cap provides finished top, prevents water infiltration, and adds structural integrity.

Drainage Is Critical

Retaining wall failures almost always involve water pressure. We install comprehensive drainage systems including:

Gravel backfill behind walls allowing water drainage
Perforated drain pipe at wall base collecting water
Weep holes through walls releasing water
Discharge systems directing collected water away

Proper drainage prevents the hydrostatic pressure that destroys retaining walls throughout Palm Beach County.

Block Wall Construction Process

1. Foundation Excavation and Installation

We excavate footings to depths specified by engineering or building code requirements, install reinforcement, pour concrete foundations, and ensure proper curing before wall construction begins.

2. First Course Layout

We snap layout lines, set first course of block on full mortar bed, establish proper alignment and level, and verify dimensions match plans.

3. Wall Construction

Building courses vertically, we install vertical reinforcement in cells per engineering specifications, place horizontal reinforcement as required, maintain plumb and level, grout reinforced cells, and construct to specified heights.

4. Reinforcement and Grouting

Walls receive reinforcement following engineering plans or code requirements—vertical rebar at specified spacing, horizontal reinforcement in bond beams or joints, and complete grouting of cells containing reinforcement.

5. Cap Installation

We install caps (precast concrete, poured-in-place, or specialized cap units) providing finished surfaces, water protection, and completed appearance throughout Palm Beach County.

6. Finishes

Walls may receive finishes—stucco, paint, split-face block, or other treatments per specifications creating desired aesthetic results.

Wall Height and Code Requirements

Under 4 Feet: Walls under 4 feet typically don’t require engineering but must meet building code requirements for foundations, reinforcement, and construction methods.

4-6 Feet: Mid-height walls usually require permits and may need engineering depending on soil conditions and local requirements throughout Palm Beach County.

Over 6 Feet: Taller walls typically require engineering design, building permits, inspections, and compliance with structural requirements.

We advise on requirements for specific wall projects throughout South Florida.

Materials and Specifications

Concrete Masonry Units (CMU): Standard block (8x8x16 inches), specialty blocks (bond beam, corner units), decorative block (split-face, architectural finishes), and various sizes for different applications.

Reinforcement: Grade 60 rebar in sizes specified by engineers (typically #3, #4, or #5 bars), placed vertically in cells and horizontally in bond beams.

Grout: Fine grout fills reinforced cells bonding rebar to masonry and providing structural continuity.

Mortar: Type S or N mortar creates strong joints between block courses.

Foundations: Concrete footings meeting specified strength (typically 3,000 psi minimum).

All materials meet Florida Building Code requirements throughout Palm Beach County.

Common Wall Applications

Property Boundaries: Defining property lines, providing privacy, reducing noise, and creating security for residential properties.

Pool Enclosures: Walls supporting screen enclosures around pools and outdoor living areas.

Erosion Control: Retaining walls preventing soil erosion on sloped properties throughout South Florida.

Grade Changes: Creating level building pads, terracing yards, or managing elevation transitions.

Landscape Features: Defining garden areas, creating raised planters, organizing outdoor spaces.

Sound Barriers: Reducing noise from roads, commercial areas, or neighbors.

Permits and Inspections

Wall construction in Palm Beach County may require:

Building permits for walls over certain heights
Engineering plans for retaining walls
Footing inspections before concrete placement
Reinforcement inspections before grouting
Final inspections verifying code compliance

We handle permitting and coordinate required inspections throughout South Florida.

Wall Finishes and Aesthetics

Stucco: Traditional South Florida finish providing smooth surfaces, color options, and weather protection.

Paint: Direct paint application on block for economical finished appearance.

Split-Face Block: Textured decorative block creating stone-like appearance without stucco.

Architectural Finishes: Specialty blocks, patterns, reveals, or other design elements creating custom appearances.

Natural Finish: Some applications leave block exposed showing natural CMU appearance.

We coordinate finishes per specifications throughout Palm Beach County projects.

Maintenance and Longevity

Properly constructed concrete block walls last decades with minimal maintenance:

Inspect Regularly: Checking for cracks, deterioration, or drainage issues allows early problem identification.

Maintain Drainage: Ensuring retaining wall drainage continues functioning prevents pressure buildup.

Address Cracks Promptly: Repairing minor cracks prevents water infiltration and progressive damage.

Refinish When Needed: Repainting or re-stuccoing maintains appearance and weather protection.

Quality construction with proper drainage ensures long wall service life throughout South Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do concrete block walls cost? Wall costs vary based on height, length, reinforcement requirements, and finishes. Residential perimeter walls typically range $25-$50 per linear foot. Retaining walls range $40-$80+ per linear foot depending on height and engineering requirements. Contact us at (561) 366-2050 for a specific quote.

How tall can walls be without engineering? Walls under 4 feet tall typically don’t require engineering in Palm Beach County. Taller walls or retaining walls usually need engineering design. We advise on requirements for specific applications.

How long does wall construction take? Small residential walls (50-100 feet) typically take 3-7 days. Larger walls or complex retaining walls may take 2-3 weeks. Timeline depends on wall length, height, and complexity.

Do perimeter walls need permits? Permit requirements vary by municipality and wall height. Many areas require permits for walls over 4 feet tall. We determine permit requirements for projects throughout Palm Beach County.

What causes retaining walls to fail? Most failures involve inadequate drainage allowing hydrostatic pressure buildup, insufficient foundation or reinforcement, poor backfill material or compaction, or lack of proper engineering design.

Can you match existing walls? Yes, we match block type, mortar color, finishes, and construction methods to blend additions with existing walls throughout South Florida.

How deep should wall foundations be? Foundation depth depends on wall height, soil conditions, and loads. Typical residential walls use 12-18 inch deep footings. Taller walls or retaining walls require deeper foundations per engineering specifications.

Do you install gates in walls? We build walls with gate openings sized per specifications. Gate hardware installation is typically separate but we coordinate openings for proper gate installation throughout Palm Beach County.

Wall construction often involves additional work:

Concrete Construction – Foundations and concrete work
Excavation & Site Work – Site preparation and grading
Shell Construction – Complete building shells

Get Your Concrete Block or Retaining Wall Estimate

Ready to build concrete block or retaining walls in Palm Beach County? Contact Thum Co. Contractors for professional masonry wall construction.

Call (561) 366-2050 for wall construction.

Thum Co. Contractors 468 Tall Pines Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Licensed building contractors providing concrete block and retaining wall construction throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas since 2017.