You may notice signs of deterioration if you move into a house with a retaining wall that is already in place or has been there for several years. However, retaining walls, regardless of their name, hold much more dirt than terracing, which can lead to severe damage. This is particularly true for places such as Pittsburgh, built on slopes and hillsides.

What is a Retaining Wall?

A retaining wall is an essential part of any landscaping project. They can prevent soil erosion, help slopes, and even create beautiful gardens. Before you begin building retaining walls, here are some things to consider.

 

First, determine whether you require retaining walls. You may not have to make any changes if you already have a retaining wall. If you are starting from scratch, however, you will need to choose the right type of retaining wall for you.

 

There are many types of retaining walls. The best one will depend on your property's size and slope. There are many options, so your choice will depend on what you want and how much you can afford.

 

You should pay close attention to the condition of your retaining wall. You should immediately take care of any signs that a retaining wall is failing. It is one of those things that becomes more expensive the more severe the problem gets. Then you would hire professional retaining wall repair in Pittsburgh. 

Need help with your retaining wall?

A great way to enhance your landscape is to add retaining walls. These walls can be used to add interest and level to your yard, whether it's for entertaining guests or gardening. Retaining walls are also susceptible to falling apart. Here are some signs that your retaining walls might be in trouble

 

Crack Formation: 

Cracks are one of the most frequent signs of structural damage to retaining walls. Cracks can result from various factors, including settlement, poor drainage and overloading. It is essential to get cracks in your wall checked by professionals as soon as you notice them.

Bulging or leaning outward: 

This is another sign that your wall may be in danger of collapse. This can be caused by poor footing, backfill or too much weight on the wall. These signs should be reported to a professional as soon as possible.

 

Soil Eroding: 

This is another problem that retaining walls face. Poor drainage, poor footing, and high moisture levels in soil can all contribute to soil erosion. It is essential to have any soil erosion near your wall assessed by professionals to make the necessary repairs.

 

Here are three indicators to be aware of when considering your options.

Your Retaining Wall Starts to Tilt.

Poor soil conditions and poorly constructed retaining walls can cause stress signs like tilting outwards at their top. This could be due to deterioration, wood rot, or railroad tie. If it's poured concrete or stone, it could be that the footing was too small, to begin with, producing a smaller-than-necessary foundation for the wall.

 

The soil could also be another option. Retaining walls should have spaces that allow water pressure to flow away. You can do this by draining weeps or using porous backfill like gravel. Standing water can cause walls to tilt due to its incredible pressure.

Separate Your Retaining Wall From Adjacent Walls

You may notice one side starting to separate from the other if you have a retaining wall that wraps around the yard on one side. This is similar to faulty construction.

Walls are subject to a lot of pressure. This is due to the constant eroding/sliding of ground, water buildup, and other factors. You could end up pushing the wall away from the adjacent sections if the wall's weight was not correctly calculated. Poor drainage or poor connections to adjacent walls could be another reason.

Your Retaining Wall Is Cracking And Crumbling.

It is essential to have your retaining wall repaired immediately if it is beginning to collapse or cracks are appearing. A falling wall is dangerous, especially if it is spreading widely. This could mean that the wall has a more significant load than initially thought.

Concrete walls crumbling due to poor quality rebar or poorly mixed concrete are often the cause.

Repairing Your Retaining Walls

Call Steadfast Custom Construction if your retaining walls show signs of deterioration. We will review your situation and advise you on what to do. Do not allow your property, retaining walls, and plants to suffer unnecessary damage. These signs can be used to ensure that your backyard landscape remains pristine.