First-Course Haunch and Drain Pipe Behind Pinellas Retaining Walls

A Pinellas retaining wall that leans in year two usually had no drain pipe and no haunch under the first course. The face still looked finished on install day. The water had nowhere to go except through the joints.

PaverForge Hardscapes builds seat walls and small retaining walls with a compacted base, a first-course concrete haunch where the height needs it, and a drain pipe behind the wall that actually daylight. Call 727-490-9798.

What we will not skip

• Geotextile and clean drain stone behind the wall, not native sand packed against the units

• A perforated pipe that runs to a known outlet, not a dead end in the bed

• A haunch or buried first course that keeps the toe from walking

• A cap that is adhered and pitched so irrigation does not sit on the joint

How to start a wall quote

Send photos of the grade change, the house side, and where you think the water should leave the lot. We walk it and put the drain path in the quote. Face color comes after that.