Retaining Walls FAQs

Secura Grand is a fully finished block and does not require additional facing. However, if a specific finish is required for the retaining wall, geogrid can be extended through the face of the Secura Grand wall and used as wall ties to connect a masonry block or natural stone facing.

Any voids created within the wall must be filled with concrete to maintain the integrity of the wall.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. There are several options for remediating a failed retaining wall using Secura Grand.

The existing wall can be excavated and replaced with a new Secura Grand wall. Alternatively, if the existing wall is to remain in place, our partner Stabilisure can use Geopins through the existing wall, allowing a new Secura Grand block face to be constructed in front.

The appropriate solution will depend on the condition of the existing wall and the specific site requirements.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. Secura Grand walls can be built on made ground, provided it is engineered fill and has been properly compacted in accordance with Series 600 of the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW).

Secura Grand walls do not necessarily need to be founded down to virgin ground, subject to the site-specific design and ground conditions.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. BNG features can be incorporated into the face of a Secura Grand wall using specially made bee bricks or PVC pipe for small vertebrates.

Other proprietary units can also be installed by removing a single Secura Grand block or making small cuts to the blockwork. Any voids created within the wall must be filled with concrete to maintain the integrity of the wall.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The angle of influence is the angle used to determine how loads or stresses spread through the ground from a structure or applied load.

For retaining walls, it helps determine which areas behind the wall may contribute to the load acting on the wall.

For the purposes of retaining wall design, this is typically taken as 45 degrees from the foundation of a structure.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The angle of repose is the maximum angle at which loose material can remain stable without sliding.

For 6I/6J material, the angle of repose is typically 35–39 degrees.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

If a clash occurs, the drainage pipe can be diverted around each fence post socket within the drainage zone, allowing the drainage system and fence to be accommodated within the wall design.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Fence foundations are designed to suit the specific wind loading and exposure conditions of each location. For example, a fence in Penrith may be subject to higher wind loads than one in central Birmingham, and the foundation design would reflect this.

For higher wind loads, deeper or larger-diameter sockets can be specified. A geogrid strap can also be used to tie the socket into the ground and provide additional stability.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. We can detail a hybrid construction using concrete backfill within the acute angle where full geogrid extension cannot be achieved. The construction can then transition to geogrid reinforcement where sufficient extension is possible.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. On the low side of the wall, Secura Grand requires smaller foundations than traditional reinforced concrete (RC) walls, resulting in less excavation and a less invasive installation.

On the high side of the wall, Geopins can be used to keep excavation outside the Tree Root Protection Area. This can provide a more cost-effective alternative to solutions such as sheet piling or king posts.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, utilities can be installed within and behind a Secura Grand wall. Drainage runs, service ducts, utilities, and inspection chambers can often be accommodated within the reinforced soil zone. Specific details should be reviewed during the design stage to ensure compatibility with the reinforcement layout.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Secura Create Wall (SCW) requires a full AutoCAD licence, while Secura Create Pro (SCP) can output designs as a 2D DXF file.

When coordinating a design within a Revit BIM model, we recommend using our BIM swatch and adjusting the drawing to reflect the 7-degree batter, rather than placing each individual block.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The hydrostatic pressure behind a Secura Grand wall needs to escape from the backfill. The 150mm pipe needs to direct water flow away from the wall face, this can be done by discharging into a soak away, SuDS feature, weep holes or a gravel surround to a down pipe on a residential site.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The minimum required pressure depends on the height of the Secura Grand retaining wall.

• Up to 3m: Minimum 80 kPa
• 4m: 100 kPa
• 5m: 120 kPa
• Above 5 m: Increase by 20 kPa for every additional  1m of wall height.

For some lower-height walls, requirements may be as low as 50 kPa, depending on the specific design and site conditions.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Secura Grand is not limited by loading surcharge, the system is designed for each load individually. From highway loadings to the load of a pile rig, these can all be accommodated within the design.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, Secura Grand is well suited to these environments being a flexible system. The foundation design may change to a concrete foundation to prevent scour causing instability of the walling. We can also accommodate drainage and headwalls within the wall as required.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

This can vary depending on site conditions, but in general Secura Grand walls do not require onerous foundation design. Secura is a flexible retaining wall system and can tolerate some settlement or ground movement. If there is unsuitable ground at the base of the wall this can be excavated and backfilled with compacted 6f2 aggregate.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

There really isn’t a limit on what we can detail at the top of a Secura Grand Wall. We have experience designing everything from acoustic fences to VRS barriers, the location and foundation design can vary depending on imparted loadings.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, this is something that can be accommodated with either geogrid or concrete backfill. Exclusion zones or void formers can be utilised within the reinforced zone to allow specific areas to install piles. Rig loadings need to be considered within the design, but this can be achieved.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Tobermore products, including our Secura retaining wall blocks, are manufactured with sustainability in mind, using responsibly-sourced materials and energy-efficient production methods.

Download the Secura Grand Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for more information on the product’s sustainability credentials.

For more information on our sustainability journey, view our sustainability timeline or visit our sustainability page.

Minimal maintenance is needed for Secura retaining walls. Simply clean the blocks periodically to remove dirt and prevent algae or moss build-up. Specific maintenance requirements could be instructed by a consulting engineer depending on the scheme requirements.

Refer to Tobermore’s Secura Grand installation guidelines for more guidance on the perfect installation that will require minimum maintenance.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. Secura Grand is fully BBA & HAPAS approved. HAPAS is the “Highways Authority Product Approval Scheme” and Secura is regularly used in these scenarios.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

No. Secura Grand is a mortar-free modular system requiring no movement joints in the blockwork at all.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes. Secura Grand walls can have tall fences – including acoustic fences – installed above them. A consulting engineer should be consulted to detail specific requirements.

For more information on Tobermore’s retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Tobermore supply corner blocks for 90 degree external corners. Corner blocks are not required for internal corners. Secura Grand is a tapered block and so walls can be built with curves to create a much nicer design.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, you can construct stairs and staircases with Secura Grand retaining wall blocks. There are many styles and types of staircases that can be integrated into the wall design using Secura Grand retaining wall blocks as the step risers.

Use Secura FastFind for easy access to your niche details.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Whatever touches the back of the block should be filled within the voids.

For example, a gravity wall would have 10mm single sized drainage stone directly behind the block and so the voids should also be filled with this material. A concrete backfill wall would have concrete directly behind and so the voids should be filled with concrete.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Secura modular block walls can be installed on a compacted granular aggregate base, such as a Type1. It is common practice to use a semi-dry or lean-mix concrete to allow the base course to be bedding directly onto.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Walls exceeding a certain height or facing significant soil pressure will require geogrid reinforcement for stability.

Consult a structural engineer or Tobermore’s Secura team for site-specific advice.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The maximum wall height depends on several factors, including the design, soil conditions, and whether geogrid reinforcement is required.

Gravity walls can typically be built up to 1m high while geogrid walls can be built to any height and are BBA/HAPAS certified to 9m high.

Consult an engineer or refer to Tobermore’s technical guidance for height recommendations.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The voids make the block lighter and easier to lift and construct on site. The voids are also filled with 10mm single size drainage aggregate to provide extra stability and improve drainage.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Secura Grand has a 7 degree set back which is automatically created by the nib as the blocks are stacked.

For more information on our retaining wall support – from planning to on-site construction – and our Secura walling range, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Geogrid is a high strength geosynthetic mesh material used to reinforce soils. Geogrids are available in various strengths and come in rolls. For all Secura Retaining walls designed and built to BBA requirements Huesker Fortrac geogrids must be used.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information. For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

A gravity wall is a wall which relies on its weight to retain the soil behind it. The weight of the blocks and their set back create the retention.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, Tobermore supply Secura Lite which is used for low height gravity walls with a maximum retained wall height of 880mm and Secura Grand which is used for higher walls.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Good design and planning before construction commences can reduce the number of blocks which require cutting and save time. If it is necessary to cut the blocks, you should use a masonry saw or bolster and hammer.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Segmental retaining walls consist of modular concrete blocks that interlock with each other. They are constructed without mortar and are used to retain a sloping face of soil. They have an integral nib at the rear of the block which automatically creates a set back as the wall is built.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

In most cases, concrete foundations are not required and the Secura retaining wall can be built on a foundation of compacted granular material.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project. .

A reinforced wall is constructed using either geogrid reinforcement or concrete backfill, both of which reinforce the structure. This reinforcement allows retaining walls to be built much higher than a gravity wall and support extra weight in addition to that of the retained soil. They can be constructed using traditional masonry brick or using the more modern method of mortarless modular interlocking concrete retaining wall blocks such as Secura Grand.

These blocks do not require wet trades and their installation is less dependent on weather conditions on site. They are therefore faster to install, bringing time and financial efficiencies to groundworkers and housebuilders. For more information on our Secura retaining wall support, please access our retaining wall category page.

Usually once your wall height goes above 1.2m geogrid reinforcement will be required, although it may be required below this height if there is a high surcharge on the wall.

Please refer to the Tobermore Secura installation guidelines or consult an engineer. Geogrid reinforcement can only be used with Secura Grand.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information. For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Secura Lite can only be constructed as a gravity wall. Secura Grand can be constructed as a gravity wall, a reinforced wall or a concrete backfilled wall. See Tobermore’s Secura product page for full details. Construction is made easier thanks to our wide range of retaining wall tools such as Secura Fastfind, Secura Create and Secura Portal.

Contact retainingwalls@tobermore.co.uk if you require more support.

BS 7533 states that a cut block should not be smaller than a quarter of a full-size block. Blocks should be cut using a masonry saw with water suppressant or bench mounted water-cooled power saw to ensure the best appearance of this block, regardless of what laying pattern is chosen by the installer.

Inboard cutting should be used to ensure individual blocks are not cut less than a quarter of the original size. Inboard cutting ensures structural performance by utilising larger cuts as opposed to smaller ones, particularly at the border or edge of a paved space. For installation guides and specification sheets for all our products, please access the downloads section of our website.

Secura retaining wall blocks are blocks used to construct segmental retaining walls.

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for more detailed information. For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, the maximum retained height for Secura Lite is 880mm.  The wall should have a flat toe slope, flat crest slope and no surcharge.  Wind loaded fences cannot be placed above gravity walls. 

Read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog for a more in-depth look at retaining wall solutions.

Please refer to the Tobermore Secura Lite installation guidelines for detailed instructions on how to construct the perfect Secura Lite retaining wall.

Yes, two lower height walls can be terraced instead of building one tall wall. The lower wall should be built first and then the higher wall can be built leaving a gap between the two walls.

Design assistance should be sought for terraced walls as the higher wall acts as a surcharge on the lower wall. For a closer look at the design services and construction support Tobermore provides for Secura retaining walls, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page and we will assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Small low height walls only require tools such as a spirit level, rake, small club hammer, wheelbarrow, bolster and tamper. Refer to our Secura Lite installation guidelines or Secura Grand installation guidelines, depending on which wall you have chosen for your project.

Visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall blocks landing page for more information on the products and services Tobermore offers.

Our retaining wall solution – comprising our Secura Grand and Secura Lite products – is a long-term solution for domestic and commercial applications. When Secura walls are designed, constructed and maintained correctly, they should have a design life of 120 years. For more information on how Tobermore can help you at every stage of your retaining wall project, please access our retaining wall category page.

The term gravity wall means a wall which relies on its weight to retain the soil behind it. The weight of the blocks and their set back create the retention. For a more in-depth look at how retaining walls work, please read our ‘everything you need to know about retaining walls’ blog.

For more information on our retaining wall support from planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

Yes, Tobermore offers both design and installation guidance for Secura retaining walls. For design inspiration and guidance, access our Secura retaining wall brochure. Please refer to the Tobermore Secura installation guidelines for detailed instructions on how to construct your retaining wall solution.

For more information on our retaining wall support from design and planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.

The distance from a Secura wall to the building doesn’t necessarily have to be 1m – it can be less if no access is required to the building from the Secura wall side. The most important thing to remember is any building close to a Secura wall and all other non-rigid walls must have foundations which extend to at least the same foundation level as the Secura wall to ensure the Secura wall is not supporting the building.

Please refer to the Tobermore Secura installation guidelines for detailed instructions on how to construct your retaining wall solution. For more information on our retaining wall support from design and planning to on-site construction, visit our dedicated Secura retaining wall page for details on how we can assist you at every stage of your Secura project.