Stone and Concrete Work That Lasts

TBL Contractors delivers full-scale summer renovation projects across Arlington, Benbrook, and Dalworthington Gardens, TX

TBL Contractors installs masonry and hardscape structures that stabilize slopes, define outdoor areas, and provide durable surfaces for patios, walkways, and driveways. Homeowners in Arlington, Benbrook, and Dalworthington Gardens, TX, often deal with retaining walls that lean after heavy rain, paver patios that sink unevenly, and walkways with cracked or displaced sections. We build retaining walls using interlocking block or natural stone, install paver and flagstone patios over properly compacted bases, and construct decorative and structural masonry features including outdoor fireplaces, columns, and stone veneers.

Each hardscape project begins with excavation and base preparation to ensure stability and drainage. Retaining walls are built with drainage aggregate behind the wall face and geogrid reinforcement for walls over four feet tall. Paver installations include a compacted gravel base, leveling sand, edge restraints, and joint sand that locks the surface together. Stone walkways are set on a concrete base when soil conditions require additional support. We also perform decorative concrete work such as stamped or stained finishes and install cultured stone veneers on exterior walls and outdoor structures.

Get in touch to discuss your hardscape or masonry project and how it fits into your Arlington, Benbrook, and Dalworthington Gardens, TX,property.

How Professional Masonry Holds Up Over Time

You'll notice the difference in how well surfaces drain, how long finishes stay intact, and whether structures remain level after seasonal soil movement. We excavate to stable soil, compact fill in lifts, and install drainage behind retaining walls to relieve hydrostatic pressure. Pavers are laid with a cross slope for water runoff, and joints are filled with polymeric sand that resists washout. Stone and brick are set with mortar mixed to the correct ratio and tooled to shed water away from joints.

After installation, your patio will stay level without dips or raised edges, walkways will remain flat without tripping hazards, and retaining walls will hold their position without bulging or tilting. Stone veneers will stay attached to substrates without delamination, and mortar joints will remain intact through freeze-thaw cycles and temperature swings.

We use materials rated for exterior exposure and select stone and pavers based on slip resistance and durability. Retaining walls over a certain height require engineering and permits. We do not install pavers directly on clay soil without base preparation, and we do not build masonry structures without proper footings and reinforcement.

Homeowners typically ask about material choices, how long installations take, and what maintenance is required.

Questions Homeowners Have About Masonry Work

What causes retaining walls to lean or fail?
Most failures result from poor drainage behind the wall, inadequate base compaction, or missing reinforcement. Water buildup creates pressure that pushes the wall forward, especially in clay soils common around Arlington that expand when wet.
How do you prevent pavers from sinking or shifting?
We excavate to stable soil, install a compacted gravel base at least four inches deep, add a layer of leveling sand, and lock edges with restraints. Polymeric sand in the joints binds the surface together and resists washout from rain or irrigation.
What is the difference between natural stone and manufactured pavers?
Natural stone offers unique color variation and texture but can be irregular in thickness, requiring more labor to install. Manufactured pavers are uniform, interlock tightly, and are often more affordable while still providing a long lifespan.
Why do some concrete patios crack while others stay intact?
Cracking usually occurs due to inadequate base preparation, missing control joints, or pouring concrete too thin. We install control joints to direct cracking into planned locations and use rebar or fiber reinforcement to minimize movement.
How long does a typical paver patio installation take?
Most paver patios take three to five days depending on size and site conditions. Projects that require grading, retaining wall construction, or drainage work will extend the timeline.

If you're planning a hardscape or masonry project or need to repair existing structures, contact TBL Contractors to schedule an evaluation and review what's needed for your Arlington, Benbrook, and Dalworthington Gardens, TX, property.