A retaining wall is far more than just a decorative element in your landscape, as it can actually protect your property by holding back soil, managing water runoff, and preventing erosion, all of which can damage your property if left unmanaged. There are many reasons to install a retaining wall, and Los Angeles homeowners know that our modern weather patterns and heavy annual rainfalls, as well as our clay soil type, can place tremendous pressure on retaining walls, and even cause them to collapse. While these walls are built to last, neglect and poor upkeep can lead to soil shifting, structural cracks, and expensive repairs. However, with the right knowledge and a strategy for stability, homeowners can preserve the life of their retaining wall, potentially for many years to come.
Common Retaining Wall Issues
Even a strong retaining wall is susceptible to damage if its ongoing maintenance is neglected or deferred. In this regard, recognizing problems early can make the difference between having to take simple preventative measures and having to pull out a credit card to cover extensive repair costs. Smart property owners know the age old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” At Weinstein Construction, our retaining wall contractors have put together a list of the most common retaining wall issues, and they are:
Cracks and Structural Damage
Cracks are an immediate and visible sign of retaining wall stress. Such damage may appear as hairline stress cracks or even more pronounced tears along the wall surface. In many cases, cracks are the result of the soil behind the wall pushing against the structure because of compaction, water saturation or runoff, or shifting ground (for example, due to seismic activity). While minor hairlines can be taken care of during ongoing/periodic maintenance, large cracks or walls that bow out signal a potentially catastrophic structural failure that should be addressed immediately.
Drainage Problems
Proper drainage maintenance is essential to the long-term health of a retaining wall. When water accumulates behind a wall, it increases the hydro-static pressure against that wall, which can push it out and cause it to collapse. When retaining walls have clogged drainage pipes or blocked weep holes, they are in an especially vulnerable situation and over time, water and pressure will erode the soil and weaken the wall’s foundations.
Soil Erosion and Settlement
When there is soil erosion behind the wall or at its base, this can destabilize the entire structure. If you are wondering how soil erosion occurs, the answer is pretty simple. Erosion can occur because of seismic activity, or the pressure of water runoff due to strong rains. Poor wall installation is also sometimes a contributing factor to retaining wall issues. In Los Angeles, dry seasons which are followed by rainy seasons are a perfectly disastrous recipe for soil shifting behind retaining walls.
Vegetation and Root Damage
Unmanaged tree and plant growth can also be detrimental to the health of a retaining wall. Tree roots are especially able to penetrate small cracks and move large amounts of soil as they grow, and seriously pressure a wall. Plants are also experts at hiding developing cracks from view! It is therefore essential to maintain trees and plans and inspect them periodically so that the retaining wall can function optimally.
If you want to read some more on this subject and avoid future issues, check out our blog on this subject: “What Are Retaining Walls And What Causes Retaining Walls To Fail?” And if you don’t already have a retaining wall in Los Angeles but you think you may need one, check out our blog on the cost of building a retaining wall in Los Angeles!
Retaining Wall Routine Maintenance Checklist
Homeowners and commercial property owners who practice routine maintenance and preventative care can extend the life of their property’s retaining wall. Regular retaining wall maintenance Los Angeles will not only preserve a property’s value but also prevent the sometimes extreme hazards associated with a retaining wall’s failure. In order to ensure that potential issues are identified and addressed before they become catastrophic failures, a routine maintenance checklist is helpful, and as such, the retaining wall contractors at Weinstein Construction put one together for you!
- Conduct Regular Inspections
Frequent and regular inspections are essential to maintaining a retaining wall’s structural integrity. Ideally, property owners should have their retaining walls professionally inspected twice a year: once in the springtime and once in the fall. The inspector should look for cracks, bulges, or leaning wall sections, and also evaluate the top edge of the wall for signs of settling or erosion. Conducting regular inspections and spotting small issues such as minor cracks can prevent major structural issues later on and lead to only small, simple repairs that don’t break the bank!
- Maintain Proper Drainage
Property owners must maintain efficient drainage around the retaining wall to reduce soil pressure which is a major contributing factor to wall failure. Ongoing maintenance here is one of the most important aspects of retaining wall care. During the periodic inspections of the wall, make sure to verify that the wall’s weep holes are clear and working as intended. Moreover, you must remove any debris from the wall’s drainage pipes and check to see whether or not water is pooling behind the wall. The retaining wall contractors at Weinstein Construction can advise you whether adding a gravel or a French drain system can help, if water tends to accumulate in specific areas of the wall.
- Control the Vegetation Around the Wall
Property owners should ensure that plants and trees grow at a safe distance from the wall. If you are curious what we mean by that, note that basically, for smaller shrubs or plants, you should make sure that their roots are shallow and do not penetrate into the wall. Moreover, trim back any overgrowth that you may see, to ensure that it doesn’t trap moisture or hide potential structural damage. If there are large trees near or next to the wall, you should seek the advice of a professional about having some of the tree roots blocked, or even removed, if that is necessary for the safety of the wall.
- Promptly Repair Minor Cracks
With time, minor cracks can turn into larger cracks and potential (and expensive) damage. Many walls, especially ones made out of concrete or stone, can be sealed with appropriate fillers or caulking. For masonry walls, re-pointing the mortar can prevent water infiltration. You should know that sealing surface cracks not only improves the wall’s appearance, but also prevents water from seeping into the soil behind the wall and increasing the pressure against it.
- Periodically Check the Soil and Slope Stability
It is important to periodically check the soil directly behind and around the wall, as uneven or eroded soil can compromise a wall’s stability. If you see erosion, add some topsoil and compact it properly. If the erosion is more than minimal, consider using retaining stakes or geo grid reinforcement. If you ensure that there is only low pressure against the wall, you will reduce the strain acting on the wall and in so doing, prolong its life.
By following the above checklist, property owners can ensure that their retaining wall is structurally sound and that its long-term cost is minimized. Here, consistency is key. Irregular maintenance will leave problems unaddressed, and problems with retaining walls can escalate quickly, especially in our Greater Los Angeles region, which is prone to heavy rainfall and frequent seismic activity!
When to Call for Retaining Walls Repairs
If you are wondering, when should I call a professional to help me with my retaining wall, know that even property owners who are diligent about maintenance sometimes have to invite retaining wall contractors such as Weinstein Construction, for some professional guidance and intervention. The trick is knowing when to call! Happily, this “trick” is easy: call Weinstein Construction so that we can help you deal with occasional issues so that they don’t become catastrophic failures! If you see any of the following, call us immediately!
- Cracks or Bulging Walls
If you see vertical or diagonal cracks, bulging wall sections, or sections that are noticeably leaning, this indicates that soil pressure against the wall has exceeded its capacity. If you see this, you need professional assessment and repair. Don’t attempt to fix such an issue yourself as you may collapse the wall and cause catastrophic damage!
- Persistent Water Pooling
If you spot persistent drainage issues despite regularly cleaning weep holes and drainage pipes (or if you don’t have weep holes and drainage pipes) you need professional help! The retaining wall contractors at Weinstein Construction can assess your wall and install drainage solutions such as French drains to make sure that your wall is safe. Don’t let this one go, as if you leave pooling water against your wall, you can quickly undermine its foundation.
- Foundation Shifting or Settling
If you see any signs of settling at the base of your wall (e.g., gaps or tilting), you likely need professional help as the foundation of the wall may be compromised. This is especially important if your wall is quite tall, or if it supports a heavy load. The retaining wall contractors at Weinstein Construction can help stabilize your wall before the damage gets worse, potentially bringing your wall down!
- Take care of Tree Root Damage Promptly
If you see large tree roots that threaten the wall, seek professional assistance in removing or cutting interfering roots. Again, this is one of those situations where you should not try to practice your “DIY” skills, as cutting roots incorrectly can destabilize the tree or the soil even further!
Look, at the end of the day, any sign of damage is a potential safety issue, and as such, you must be vigilant and seek professional help to prevent property damage or injury to those who visit or live in the structures protected by the retaining wall. If you practice a few simple preventative steps, you can potentially avoid costly repairs and keep your peace of mind!
Need retaining wall repairs? Get an inspection today! Don’t wait for small issues to become major problems. A professional evaluation by Weinstein Construction’s retaining wall contractors can ensure your wall remains a safe, beautiful, and functional part of your property for years to come! Call us today at (877) 958-8741 for a retaining wall consultation and inspection!
