The Silent Killer of Retaining Walls: What Really Makes Them Fail
Hey there! If you’ve got a retaining wall on your property, you probably don’t think about it much until something goes wrong. These structures look pretty solid and permanent, don’t they? But as someone who’s been in the dirt and concrete business for years, I can tell you that a retaining wall failure is more common than you might think.
And the number one culprit? Poor drainage. Yep, at our company, we see this issue more than anything else. When water has nowhere to go, it becomes a destructive force that will find its own path through your wall, underneath it, or straight over the top.
Let’s chat about why this happens, what warning signs you should watch for, and how we typically fix these problems when they come up.
Water: The Unexpected Enemy
Water might seem harmless enough, but it packs a punch. After a heavy rain, the soil behind your retaining wall becomes saturated and heavy. This saturated soil also expands, pushing against the back of the wall with surprising force.
If your wall wasn’t built with proper drainage in mind things like gravel backfill, weep holes, and drainage outlets, that water just sits there, applying constant pressure. Over time, something’s got to give.
I’ve seen walls lean forward at concerning angles, develop bulges in the middle section, crack in multiple places, or in worst-case scenarios, completely collapse. And almost every time we investigate, we find the same root cause of the failure , trapped water with nowhere to escape.
Beyond Drainage: Other Common Failure Points
While drainage issues top our list of retaining wall problems, they’re certainly not the only things that can causee a failure. Here are a few other culprits we regularly encounter:
Questionable Construction – Some walls were simply not built correctly from the start. They might be too short for the load they’re supporting, have inadequate footings, or lack proper reinforcement. I’ve seen everything from amateur-stacked landscape blocks to concrete walls poured without any rebar at all.
Problematic Soil Conditions – The material behind and beneath your wall matters enormously. Expansive clay soils that swell when wet, loose sandy soils that shift easily, or poorly compacted fill dirt can all move and settle in ways that put stress on your wall.
Invasive Tree Roots – Those beautiful trees near your retaining wall? Their roots can be surprisingly destructive, growing directly into footings, creating cracks, and even lifting entire sections of the structure over time. They can also disrupt carefully designed drainage systems.
Unexpected Weight Above – If someone adds a driveway, installs a pool, or builds a large patio on the hill above your retaining wall, that extra weight creates pressure that wasn’t factored into the original design calculations.
When It’s Time to Call in the Pros
A failing retaining wall won’t fix itself—in fact, the problem will only get worse over time. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s probably time to give us a call:
- Your wall is noticeably leaning forward or bulging in certain areas
- You can see cracks that seem to be getting larger
- Water seeps through the face of the wall or pools behind it
- Sinkholes or settling soil appears near the base
- The wall is separating from adjacent structures
- It’s an older wall that hasn’t been professionally inspected in years
At our company, retaining wall repair is one of our specialties. We’ve handled everything from small garden walls to massive multi-tiered structures supporting commercial buildings. The sooner you address these issues, the easier and less expensive they are to fix.
Our Approach to Fixing Failing Walls
When you call us about a retaining wall failure, we don’t just patch over the symptoms. We take a thorough approach to ensure lasting results:
Complete Inspection – First, we examine the wall construction, materials, and the soil it’s holding back. We look at the overall slope, surface drainage patterns, and check for erosion or damage from roots or other factors.
Drainage Evaluation – We specifically assess the drainage system (or lack thereof). Are there weep holes? Is there proper backfill material? Have the existing drainage outlets become clogged? Is the land properly graded?
Custom Solution Planning – Based on what we find, we’ll develop options for repair. Some walls can be stabilized with anchors or partial rebuilds. Others need more extensive work. We’ll explain each option clearly so you can make an informed decision.
Drainage Improvement – Almost every repair involves enhancing the drainage system. We add gravel layers, install perforated pipe, and create proper outlets for water to escape. This step is critical for preventing a future failure.
Quality Reconstruction – Whether we’re reinforcing, partially rebuilding, or starting from scratch, we follow proper construction techniques and don’t cut corners. The goal is a wall that will stand strong for decades, not just a quick cosmetic fix.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
A leaning or cracking retaining wall isn’t just an eyesore it can become a serious hazard. Once a wall starts to fail, the process typically accelerates over time, especially with each heavy rain.
The best time to address retaining wall issues is at the first sign of trouble. Small problems are almost always easier and less expensive to fix than catastrophic failures.
If your wall is showing any of the warning signs of failure we’ve discussed, give us a call. We’ll give you an honest assessment and clear options to get that wall back to doing its job safely and effectively.
