Control Water. Protect Walls, Slopes & Foundations.
Rockback Environmental designs and builds drainage systems to take pressure off retaining walls, slopes and foundations. We treat water as the first structural problem—not an afterthought once damage has already occurred.
Many structural problems start as water problems—trapped behind walls, soaking slopes or saturating soils under foundations. We focus on drainage early so stabilization work has a chance to perform over the long term.
How Water Damages Walls, Slopes & Foundations
Water doesn’t have to be dramatic to be destructive. Slow, persistent saturation changes soil behaviour, adds load to walls and undermines bearing where structures rely on compacted fills.
Hydrostatic Pressure
When water can’t get away from a wall or foundation, it builds pressure and exploits any weak points in the structure or soil.
- Walls bowing or leaning after heavy rain
- Cracks that leak under certain conditions
- Weeping tiles that no longer discharge
Softening & Erosion
Saturated soils lose strength and can creep, wash out or erode, removing the support structures were originally designed around.
- Slopes slumping or slowly creeping
- Void formation behind walls and slabs
- Undermined footings and stairs
Where Drainage Matters Most
We focus on locations where poor drainage directly affects structural performance— not just where water is inconvenient.
Retaining Walls
Trapped water behind walls is one of the fastest ways to shorten their life.
- Backdrains and outlets behind walls
- Filter fabrics and clean stone zones
- Toe drains and relief points at low spots
Slopes & Ravines
Uncontrolled surface and groundwater accelerate slope movement and erosion.
- Intercepting upslope flows before the break
- Subdrains along critical planes
- Energy dissipation at outlets
Foundations & Basements
Water against a foundation increases pressure and can drive leaks and movement.
- Weeping tile repair or replacement
- Exterior waterproofing with drainage
- Re-grading and overland flow correction
Driveways & Access Routes
Concentrated surface water can undermine pavements, walls and slopes.
- Trench drains at entries and low points
- Swales and grading away from structures
- Protection of shoulders and embankments
Site Conditions That Inform Drainage Decisions
Effective drainage work begins with understanding how water interacts with the structure— where it collects, how it moves through soils and where it undermines support. When foundations, walls or slopes are opened up, the real flow paths and saturation zones become clear, guiding the structural and hydraulic fixes that follow.
Drainage & Water Management Solutions
The specific solution depends on soils, grades, structures and outlets. In many cases, we are combining multiple approaches into one coordinated fix.
Subdrains & Weepers
Perforated drains in granular backfill to relieve water from walls, foundations and slopes.
- New weeping tiles and collector lines
- Perimeter drains behind retaining systems
- Outlets to daylight or controlled discharge
Overland Flow Control
Shaping grades and hardscape so surface water goes where it should, not toward structures or breaks in grade.
- Re-grading around homes and walls
- Swales and controlled flow routes
- Managing downspout and sump discharges
Inlets, Catch Basins & Trenches
Capturing water at low points so it doesn’t pool, erode or saturate critical areas.
- Trench drains at garage and walkout thresholds
- Catch basins in drive courts and yards
- Connections back to legal outlets
Backfill & Filter Systems
Using the right materials around structures to keep water moving and fines from clogging drains.
- Clean stone drainage zones
- Filter fabrics matched to soils
- Transition layers between soils and drains
Outlet Protection & Energy Dissipation
Protecting the point where water finally leaves the system so it doesn’t simply create a new problem downslope.
- Rip-rap and scour control at outlets
- Step-down weirs and plunge pools
- Integration with natural channels
Integration with Stabilization Works
Tying drainage into piles, walls, shoring and slope stabilization so everything works as one system.
- Drainage designed alongside structural fixes
- Slopes and walls detailed to stay dry
- Long-term performance built into the plan
How a Drainage Project Runs
The flow is similar to our structural work: understand where water is, where it should go, then build a solution that will keep working after the site is put back together.
Trace the Water
We walk the site during dry and wet conditions where possible, review grades, outlets and structures, and identify how water currently moves.
Define Flow Paths & Systems
Plan how water should move instead, including subdrains, overland flow, outlets and any required structural coordination.
Build the Drainage Work
Excavate, install drains and structures, tie into outlets and restore grades, surfaces and affected areas.
Observe Performance
Where possible, observe the system under real weather events and adjust as needed, especially at inlets and outlets.
Dealing with Water Where Structure Matters?
If water is showing up where it shouldn’t—behind walls, along slopes, in basements or under pavements—it’s worth addressing before structural issues accelerate.