Creating A Gorgeous Garden

3 Signs It Is Time To Replace Your Retaining Wall

2 March 2018 by Tiffany Gonzales

If your property sits next to a hill, you may have an old retaining wall keeping dirt and water from making a mess of your landscape. However, you may start to suspect that it is starting to lose strength and should be replaced. If so, look for the following signs that your retaining wall is failing and needs replacing.

Individual Stone Faces Start Crumbling

One of the first signs that your retaining wall is starting to fail is seen when the faces of individual stones start to crumble. As the pressure of the dirt behind the wall increases, the tension can create tiny cracks in the stones.

As these cracks make their way towards the fronts of the stones, the surfaces will start to break off. While crumbling on one or two stones is not necessarily a cause for alarm, if you notice that multiple stones are showing signs of damage, the wall may not be able to hold out much longer.

Sections of the Wall Are Bowing Outward

Another sign that your retaining wall is close to breaking is when you start noticing sections that starting to bow outward. When the weight of the dirt becomes too much for the damaged stones, they will start pushing through.

While standing at the end of your retaining wall, look for bulges where there used to be smooth lines along the wall. If you notice several of these bulges, it is only a matter of time before the wall starts to separate.

Parts of the Wall Have Separated

While inspecting your wall, the next sign to look for that indicates it is definitely time to replace it is when you see areas where parts of the wall have already started to separate. The gaps between the stones mean that dirt and water are most likely already leaking through.

If you are having problems finding separations, look at the ground to see if you find any mortar or piles of dirt. If you find either of these, look carefully at the wall above them to see if you find any large gaps between the stones. If you do, the wall is in danger of collapsing and should be replaced as soon as possible.

If you notice any of the above signs, your property's retaining wall should probably be replaced. Contact a retaining wall supplier to find out your various options for replacing the wall, including types of stone and installation services that are available. 

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