Retaining Wall Repair
As with other types of structural damage, the point we always try and emphasise is for people never to ignore early signs of potential problems. Educating yourself on what to look for can save a lot of worry and money later on. Ignoring issues with your retaining wall(s) can not only be costly but can lead to property damage or injuries. Things to keep any eye out for include crumbling concrete, water pools around wall base, soil separation at base, rotting wood (where the wall or sections are wood), or general movement. We are not only foundation repair specialists, but also experts in repairing retaining walls.
Don’t Remove or DIY
Many people think that the best solution when experiencing retaining wall issues is to remove the offending wall. This can end up a far costlier exercise as it is simpler to either replace sections or reinforce areas that are experiencing problems. Another misconception is that retaining wall repair is simple and can be easily done. Always use professionals who are experienced foundation repair experts and/or experienced in soil stabilization. These disciplines are all interconnected and choosing a service like Hutto Foundation Repair Experts means the work is carried out to the highest of standards.
Bad Drainage
The most common cause of failure of retaining walls is bad drainage. Where there is poor drainage, hydrostatic pressure can build up on one side of the retaining wall. Retaining walls should have proper drainage systems built in to channel any water away from your walls and structure and to prevent hydrostatic pressure. If this is the cause of any issues, our team will look at installing a suitable drainage system and making all necessary repairs. As the premier provider of foundation repair services in Hutto, we can guarantee the quality of all our work.
Shallow Footing or Poor Materials
If your retaining wall does not have a sufficiently deep enough footing, then it will not be able to resist the weight of water or saturated soil. In areas which experience frost, the footing should also be significantly deeper than the lowest frost line. Another common cause of retaining wall failure is when sub-standard or poor quality materials are used. This could be poor concrete mix, lack of steel or other supports, or poor construction. Even a small section of wall may be holding back several tons of soil and earth.
Overloading
Another thing we encounter when carrying out structural damage repair is overloading of retaining walls. It is essential when initially constructing the retaining wall to account not only for what the current ‘load’ will be on that wall, but also any potential future load. Do you plan to build a shed or outbuilding in the future which will add to the wall’s load? If so, then it is important to take this into account as it will likely need a wider and/or deeper footing extra thickness, or additional anchors. Whatever the cause of your issues, Hutto Foundation Repair Experts can assess and repair.
