Service Walls & drainage
Retaining walls and drain tile in Bettendorf and the Quad Cities
Valley Outdoor builds block and boulder retaining walls and installs underground drain tile for homes and businesses in Bettendorf, LeClaire, Pleasant Valley, Davenport and rural Scott County. Austin designs the wall, and the same crew preps the base, sets the drainage and builds it.
01 What we build
Walls for hillsides, driveways, sidewalks and whole slopes
Every one of these photos is a Valley Outdoor job. No catalog pictures.
Block retaining walls
Segmental block walls that curve with the yard. Clean lines, square corners, caps on top.
Boulder and stone walls
Natural stone for a softer, older look. A good fit for sloped yards and garden beds.
Terraced and commercial walls
Multi-level walls that turn one steep bank into usable, mowable steps.
Sidewalk and driveway walls
Low walls that stop a front yard from washing onto the sidewalk and square up the curb appeal.
02 How a wall goes in
What is under the wall matters more than what you see.
Here is one of our walls from bare dirt to finished, in order.
Dig and base
We dig below grade and compact a gravel base so the first course sits level and stays that way.
Drainage
Drain rock and pipe go in behind the block so water has somewhere to go besides pushing on the wall.
Build it up
The crew sets each course, backfills as they go and checks level the whole way.
Cap and clean up
Caps go on, the ground is graded and the site is cleaned up before we call it done.
03 Underground drain tiling
Soggy yard? Water in the low spot every spring?
Underground drain tile carries standing water away from the house, the patio and the spots you cannot mow. We look at where the water comes from, where it collects and where it can safely go, then bury the tile so all you see is dry grass.
"I had a terrible drainage problem in our backyard. I had Austin look at it and he gave us a possible solution. He was realistic and said it might not clear up the problem completely. It worked better than I expected!"
04 From Google reviews
What wall customers said
"They built two beautiful limestone walls and a set of limestone stairs, completely transforming my yard."
"Austin helped us source materials and completed a plan we were very happy with and once work began we were completely impressed with his crew."
"They were able to lay sod and add a retaining wall to one end of our pool. They were easy to work with, on time, and professional."
4.9 stars from 39 Google reviews
[CONFIRM WITH OWNER: current count, reviewer names]
05 Straight answers
Retaining wall and drainage questions
Updated September 2026
Do I need drainage behind a retaining wall?
Almost always, yes. Water that builds up behind a wall is what pushes it out of line, so we set drain rock and a drain pipe behind the block before the wall goes up, and we plan where that water will go.
Does Valley Outdoor install drain tile for wet yards?
Yes. Underground drain tiling is one of our regular services. We look at where the water collects and where it can go, then bury tile to carry it away from the house and the soggy spots.
Can you rebuild a retaining wall that is leaning or falling apart?
Yes. We redo old walls regularly. One Google reviewer wrote that we redid two retaining walls and planting areas at the end of their driveway. We will tell you honestly whether yours needs a rebuild or a repair.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Bettendorf?
It depends on the wall. Taller walls and walls near property lines or the street can need city approval, so we check the rules for your address before we build. [CONFIRM WITH OWNER: how permits are handled]
How long does a retaining wall take to build?
It depends on the length, the height and how easy it is to get equipment into the yard. You get a timeline with your quote, before anything is dug up. [CONFIRM WITH OWNER: typical range]
What areas do you build retaining walls in?
Bettendorf, LeClaire, Pleasant Valley, Davenport and rural Scott County, Iowa. Call (563) 362-8375 if you are not sure we reach you.
Tell us what the yard needs. We will come take a look.
Free quotes across Bettendorf, LeClaire, Pleasant Valley, Davenport and rural Scott County.