How to Ensure Stability in Retaining Walls?

When it comes to the construction of retaining walls, one has the choice of hiring a professional contractor or undertaking the project with a DIY approach. A DIY method might not yield the same strength and design that a retaining wall contractor can bring to the project.

Constructing a retaining wall that can withstand the test of time is indeed a challenging task as one has to consider various factors that can potentially affect important structural aspects of the wall.

A flawed construction will result in many problems with time, increasing maintenance costs of the retaining wall.

Some of the common factors that adversely affect the stability of retaining walls are-

Foundation

The primary factor that affects a retaining wall is foundation settlement.

The weight of the retaining wall might subside or compress the soil beneath. Improper drainage or foundational errors during construction might not provide appropriate support to the structure, causing the wall above to tilt or shrink. This will eventually result in structural failure of the wall. Such problems can be solved by excavating or pushing the wall to stand upright, provided the wall has little or no cracks.

However, it is recommended that homeowners hire professional retaining wall contractors to warrant the accurate assessment of the wall’s condition before starting any repairs as it might involve various safety concerns for the homeowner.

Retaining wall contractors oversee the construction process which includes installing soil anchors to support the structure or drainage channels to avoid water pools in backfills.

Cracks

Cracks are probably the most common concern among homeowners regarding a retaining wall’s structure. Other than improper drainage and foundational errors, premature evaporation of water trapped inside the wall can cause the concrete to dry up and crack. While hairline cracks can be filled using expandable masonry caulk, one should hire retaining wall contractors in case the cracks are large enough to cause the wall to collapse.

Improper Reinforcement

An essential aspect of constructing a concrete retaining wall is proper reinforcement by installing rebar (or reinforcement bars) inside the walls. These bars provide strength as improper reinforcement will cause the structure to separate at the corners. This can be prevented by hiring retaining wall contractors who will ensure proper execution of every step of the construction process, from initial design to installation- After all, prevention is always better than cure.