While retaining walls are effective at preventing erosion by holding soil and substrate in place, they can break down over time. If you have a damaged retaining wall and do not know what to do, consider our retaining wall repair service.
Retaining walls are built to resist pressure while holding soil in place. If your retaining wall is designed correctly, it can last many decades without damage. The most effective way to keep your retaining wall in good shape over an extended period is proper design. The retaining wall must be designed to withstand high pressure. It must have an effective drainage system so that water does not build up behind the wall and cause damage. There are four main designs used when constructing retaining walls.
The gravity retaining wall is the first of these four. This retaining wall relies on mass alone to withstand the soil’s pressure. In some cases, these walls are engineered to lean into the soil. This enhances the stability of the structure.
The next design is the cantilevered retaining wall. This design is equipped with a lever that stabilizes the wall by redistributing lateral pressure. This type of wall takes the form of an inverted T with substantial footing at the base of the T. Pressure is greatest at the bottom of the T, which keeps the retaining wall stable.
The third design is called the piling retaining wall. This design features a retaining wall with piles reinforcing the wall underneath the ground. This design is very versatile and can be used in cramped spaces.
The fourth major design is the anchored retaining wall. This design can feature any of the three designs above, as long as they are reinforced by anchors such as cables or poles from behind. This is the strongest retaining wall design and effective in reinforcing thin walls.
How To Tell If You Need Retaining Wall Repair
No matter the design, retaining walls often fail over time. This can be due to exposure to the elements, inadequate drainage, erosion, and bad quality materials. When your retaining wall fails, you will see visible damage. There may be debris littered around the area of your retaining wall.
Locating the damage to the wall before it fails will save you a lot of time and money, as you can get retaining wall repair instead of replacement. If you see your retaining wall bending, cracking, tilting, or leaking, you should take this as a sign of damage. One unique sign of damage is a strange odor, as this can indicate moisture intrusion. When you notice damage, it is the right time to call Omega Masonry, as your retaining wall requires maintenance.
While replacing a retaining wall is a big and expensive job, we provide quality retaining wall repair at a competitive price. If you are unsure if your retaining wall is in need of repair, give us a call. One of our contractors can inspect your wall, assessing it for damages. After our assessment, you can decide whether or not you would like us to fix your retaining wall.
