Old Block Wall Replaced With County Splitface Retaining Wall and Paver Patio

Old block walls have a way of letting you down - literally. They shift, crack, and eventually start leaning in ways that are hard to ignore. That's exactly what we were dealing with here. The old wall and steps had run their course, and the homeowner wanted something that would actually hold up and look great doing it.

We went with County Splitface block for the retaining wall and steps. It's a timeless material that has real texture and depth to it - the kind of look that gets better with age instead of worse. The split face finish gives it that natural stone feel without sacrificing the structural integrity you get from engineered block. Every course was set tight and level, and the step detailing on both sides of the wall came together exactly how we planned it.

The Enlighten pavers were the right call for the patio surface. They pair cleanly with the splitface block and give the whole space a cohesive, finished look rather than two separate elements just sitting next to each other. Around a pool, that kind of flow matters - it ties everything together and makes the yard feel intentional.

What we ended up with is a backyard that actually works as hard as it looks. The retaining wall is doing its job - holding back that grade change between the upper lawn and the pool area - while the integrated steps make moving between levels natural and easy. No more worrying about erosion or a wall that's slowly giving out. This one is built for the long run.

A big shoutout to Rock Hard Landscape Supply for coming out to photograph the finished product. We're really proud of how this one came together, and their photos do it justice.