We are Your Tigard Retaining Wall Construction Company

Tigard’s geography divides neatly between the flat Tualatin Valley floor and the prominent rise of Bull Mountain, and each zone presents distinct retaining wall challenges. The valley floor’s heavy clay soils hold water tenaciously and become nearly impossible to work when saturated, while Bull Mountain’s slopes feature weathered basalt and steeper grades that generate significant lateral earth pressure. Prodan Construction builds retaining walls across Tigard that address both environments — from managing drainage and grade separation in the Fanno Creek corridor to constructing structural hillside walls on Bull Mountain’s desirable slopes. Our experience with Tualatin Valley clay soils and the volcanic terrain of the surrounding hills means we engineer every Tigard wall for the specific conditions it will face. Call (503) 773-6949 for your free Tigard retaining wall estimate.

A Good Retaining Wall Needs a Solid Construction at All Levels

The assumption that a retaining wall is just a row of blocks set against a hill does not survive contact with Tigard’s heavy clay soils. The Tualatin Valley clay that dominates the valley floor and lower Bull Mountain slopes is among the most challenging construction soil in the Portland metro — it swells dramatically when wet, shrinks and cracks when dry, and generates lateral pressures that can be significantly higher than what standard engineering tables predict for “clay soil.” Every Tigard retaining wall we build begins with a realistic assessment of the clay conditions at the site, because underestimating Tigard clay is the single most common reason retaining walls fail in this area.

Building a retaining wall that endures in Tigard’s clay starts with aggressive drainage engineering. Our standard Tigard installation includes an oversized compacted gravel base — often ten to twelve inches deep in the heaviest clay zones — that serves as both a foundation and the primary water management layer. The drainage aggregate behind the wall extends from footing to finished grade, with perforated pipe at the base sized to handle the volume of water that Tigard’s clay releases during winter months. The first course sits below grade to resist the sliding forces generated by swelling clay, and each course above follows calculated setback angles. Geogrid reinforcement is standard on any Tigard wall over three feet because the clay soils here generate lateral pressures that exceed what unreinforced walls can safely resist.

Tigard retaining wall projects range from low walls managing grade along the Fanno Creek Trail corridor to major structural installations on Bull Mountain’s upper slopes. Prodan Construction brings the same clay-specific engineering discipline to every project, recognizing that Tigard’s soil conditions make drainage the make-or-break factor in every wall we build.

Prodan Construction is Your Tigard Retaining Wall Repair Company

Tigard’s expansive clay soils are particularly destructive to retaining walls that were built without adequate drainage. The cycle of swelling in winter and shrinking in summer creates a ratcheting effect that progressively pushes walls outward and opens cracks that allow more water infiltration. Prodan Construction sees a high volume of retaining wall repairs in Tigard, from failed garden walls in the Summerlake neighborhood to compromised structural walls on Bull Mountain. In almost every case, the root cause is the same: the original wall did not have sufficient drainage capacity for Tigard’s aggressive clay soils. We repair these walls by correcting the drainage deficiency first, then rebuilding the wall structure to resist the forces that Tigard’s soil generates. Call (503) 773-6949 to address your Tigard retaining wall problem before another winter makes it worse.

What People We’ve Worked with have to Say About Us

Tigard homeowners and commercial property owners rely on Prodan Construction for retaining wall work that stands up to the area’s notorious clay soils. Our consistent five-star reviews reflect the quality and durability that our clients experience firsthand. Here is what they have to say:

Cody K. — “Prodan and his team were great to work with! They were very professional and did an amazing job on our retaining wall. The wall looks fantastic and has held up perfectly. Highly recommend Prodan Construction to anyone in need of a retaining wall or any other construction work.”

Ashley B. — “We had Prodan Construction build a retaining wall in our backyard and we couldn’t be happier with the results! The crew was punctual, hardworking, and respectful of our property. They completed the project on time and on budget. The wall is solid and looks amazing. Thank you Prodan Construction!”

Vickie D. — “Prodan Construction did an outstanding job on our retaining wall project. From the initial consultation to the final walkthrough, they were professional and communicative every step of the way. The quality of their work is evident in the finished product. We would absolutely hire them again.”

Lon M. — “I hired Prodan Construction to replace an old failing retaining wall on my property and they exceeded my expectations. The new wall is rock solid and looks incredible. Their team was knowledgeable, efficient, and left the site cleaner than they found it. Five stars all the way.”

Our Tigard Retaining Wall Construction Company FAQ

How do you build a retaining wall?

Building retaining walls in Tigard requires specialized techniques for the area’s challenging clay soils and variable terrain. Our process includes:

Foundation preparation: We excavate to stable bearing material and install a compacted gravel base that provides both structural support and drainage for the wall footing.
First course and base construction: The first course of block, stone, or concrete is set below the finished grade to anchor the wall and resist lateral sliding forces from the retained earth.
Wall construction with drainage: Each course is built with proper setback (batter) and backfilled with drainage aggregate. Perforated pipe at the base collects and redirects groundwater away from the wall.
Reinforcement and backfill: For taller walls, geogrid reinforcement layers tie the wall into the retained soil mass. Final backfill is compacted in lifts to prevent settlement.
Drainage completion and grading: Surface drainage is directed away from the wall, drain outlets are verified functional, and the site is graded to finished specifications.

Do I need a structural engineer for a retaining wall?

The City of Tigard requires building permits for retaining walls exceeding four feet in exposed height. Bull Mountain area properties may face additional development standards, and construction near Fanno Creek or the Tualatin River involves riparian setback requirements. Structural engineering is recommended for any Tigard wall built in heavy clay soils, even at modest heights, because the lateral pressures these soils generate often exceed standard engineering assumptions. Prodan Construction manages all Tigard permitting and engineering coordination as part of our comprehensive service.

How do you know when you need a retaining wall?

Tigard’s clay soils broadcast their intentions clearly if you know what to look for. Cracks in driveways and walkways that widen in summer and close in winter indicate expansive clay movement. Garage doors that stick seasonally, foundations showing stair-step cracks in block walls, and fence lines that lean progressively in one direction all point to soil movement that a retaining wall can address. On Bull Mountain slopes, erosion channels forming after rain, retaining surfaces that have begun to bow, and water pooling against uphill foundations are particularly urgent signals.

Tigard property owners on Bull Mountain especially benefit from retaining walls that create usable outdoor space on their sloped lots. The elevated terrain that provides Bull Mountain’s desirable views also means that much of the yard area on many properties sits at unusable angles. Terraced retaining wall systems convert these slopes into level outdoor living areas — patios, gardens, play areas, and lawn panels — that dramatically increase both the usability and market value of the property.

How long do retaining walls last?

Retaining walls in Tigard can achieve 50 to 75 years of reliable service when built with proper drainage for the local clay conditions. The expansive clay that dominates the Tualatin Valley floor is more aggressive on wall structures than most other soil types, so the drainage system’s long-term performance is the primary determinant of wall longevity here. Prodan Construction designs our Tigard drainage installations with generous capacity and specifies filter fabric rated for fine-particle clay environments to maintain drainage function over the decades. On Bull Mountain’s better-drained upper slopes, walls typically last longer than those in the heavy valley-floor clay.

What are the types of retaining wall?

For Tigard’s clay-heavy terrain, these retaining wall types provide the best performance:

Brick/Block retaining walls: Interlocking segmental retaining wall blocks that are engineered for strength, available in multiple styles, and designed for efficient installation with built-in connection systems.
Concrete retaining walls: Poured-in-place reinforced concrete walls that provide maximum structural strength for the most demanding applications, including tall walls, heavy surcharge loads, and steep terrain.
Rock/Boulder retaining walls: Natural stone and boulder walls that provide a rugged, organic appearance while delivering substantial structural capacity, particularly effective on larger rural and semi-rural properties.

Timber walls are generally not recommended in Tigard due to the constant moisture contact from the clay soils, which accelerates deterioration even in pressure-treated material. Prodan Construction will evaluate your specific Tigard property — clay conditions, slope angle, water behavior, and intended wall function — and recommend the system that provides the best long-term performance and value.

Tigard’s expansive clay soils and Bull Mountain’s steep slopes create retaining wall challenges that demand experienced, drainage-focused engineering. Prodan Construction delivers exactly that — walls designed to manage Tigard’s aggressive soil conditions for decades. Call (503) 773-6949 or contact us online for your free Tigard retaining wall estimate.