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Boulder Walls Built Correctly From the Ground Up

A beautiful retaining wall is only as good as what is underneath and

behind it.  Proper preparation, drainage and boulder placement are

critical to the long-term performance of a retaining wall. Cutting

corners on the parts you can't see can eventually result in settling,

movement, bulging or complete wall failure.

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Our boulder retaining wall installations can include:

• Excavation and proper site preparation

• Compacted crushed-stone base

• Properly sized natural boulders

• Larger boulders where additional support is required

• Proper boulder placement and wall batter

• Commercial-grade landscape fabric

• Drainage stone behind the wall

• Perforated drain tile to move water away from the wall

• Proper backfilling and grading

• Final cleanup and landscape preparation

Our goal isn't simply to make a wall look good when we leave. We want it built correctly so it continues performing for years to come.

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Why Drainage Matters

Water is one of the biggest enemies of a retaining wall.  When water becomes trapped behind a wall, it increases pressure against the structure and can contribute to movement, erosion, settling and wall failure.  That's why drainage is an important part of how we construct retaining walls.  We use drainage stone and perforated drain tile where appropriate to help collect water behind the wall and direct it away instead of allowing excessive hydrostatic pressure to build behind the boulders.  The drainage system may be hidden when the project is finished, but it is one of the most important parts of the wall.

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Boulder Retaining Wall Repair & Rebuilding

Not every retaining wall needs to be built from scratch.

We also evaluate and rebuild failing or improperly constructed boulder walls.

Common warning signs include:

• Boulders shifting or rolling forward

• Sections of the wall leaning outward

• Soil washing through or around the wall

• Large gaps developing between boulders

• Water collecting behind the wall

• Settlement at the top of the wall

• Small stones being used where larger boulders are needed

• Walls constructed without adequate drainage

When rebuilding a failed wall, simply putting the same stones back into place may not correct the problem. We look at why the wall failed and address the underlying issue whenever possible.

That can mean rebuilding the base, improving drainage, replacing undersized stones, changing boulder placement or correcting the grade behind the wall.

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Lakefront & Waterfront Boulder Walls

Northern Michigan waterfront properties present their own challenges.

Slopes, erosion, runoff, changing water conditions and access limitations can all affect how a project needs to be constructed.

Boulder Brothers LLC has experience incorporating natural boulders into lakefront landscapes, including retaining walls, shoreline areas, boat wells, beaches, natural stone stairs and walkways.

Natural stone is especially well suited to Northern Michigan properties because it can provide the strength needed for grade changes while maintaining a natural appearance that complements the lake and surrounding landscape.

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More Than Just a Retaining Wall

A boulder wall can become the foundation for an entire landscape transformation.

We can incorporate your wall with other hardscape features including:​​

• Natural stone stairs

• Timber stairs

• Paver patios

• Paver and natural-stone walkways

• Beach areas

• Boulder borders

• Black Diamond edging

• Planting and landscape beds

• Drainage improvements

• Driveways and parking areas

• Shoreline landscaping

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​​​​​​Why Choose Boulder Brothers LLC?

Boulder Brothers LLC is based in Houghton Lake, Michigan and specializes in high-end boulder and hardscape construction.

With more than a decade of hardscaping experience, our focus is quality workmanship and building projects correctly from the beginning.  Our Lead Foreman, Wally, oversees field operations and is present on our projects to ensure the work is completed to our standards.

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Boulder Retaining Wall Projects Throughout Northern Michigan

We build boulder retaining walls and complete hardscape projects throughout the Houghton Lake area and surrounding Northern Michigan communities, including:

Houghton Lake • Higgins Lake • Roscommon • St. Helen • West Branch • Gladwin • Harrison and surrounding areas.

From lakefront retaining walls and steep slopes to replacing failed walls, our goal is the same: build it correctly, make it beautiful and create something designed to last.

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Ready to Talk About Your Boulder Wall?

Whether you're planning a new retaining wall or you're concerned about an existing wall that is beginning to fail, Boulder Brothers LLC can evaluate the property and help determine the right approach.

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