Creating A Gorgeous Garden

Three Signs Of Brick Retaining Wall Damage

2 November 2020 by Tiffany Gonzales

Brick retaining walls aren't just for looks, they are an important part of the structural system that holds your landscape in place. For this reason, it is important to know the signs that the wall may be failing.

1. Mortar Failure

One of the more common causes of failure, particularly on older retaining walls, is a result of mortar failure. Mortar often has a shorter working lifespan compared to the bricks it seals in place. Over time, the mortar will begin to deteriorate and the brick wall will no longer be stable. Signs of deteriorating mortar include crumbling, cracks along the joints, and missing mortar joints. You can check the state of the mortar by gently probing it with a hard object — if it easily crumbles then it is time to replace the mortar. Fortunately, your brickwork service can replace old mortar without having to rebuild the retaining wall if you catch the problem before damage occurs to the bricks.

2. Bowed Walls

Bowing of a wall is a more severe issue, as it can indicate that the wall is about to completely fail. There are several reasons why a retaining wall may fail. It can be the result of too much weight behind a wall that wasn't engineered correctly for the load. In this case, it may be necessary to rebuild the wall to proper specs. Another common issue is poor drainage, so that water collects behind the wall and pushes it outwards. A brick mason can install additional drains in the wall to fix this problem. Age or damage to the wall, which will necessitate repair, can lead to bowing as well. Although some damages and causes of bowing can be repaired, often at least part of the wall will require rebuilding.

3. Severe Spalling

Spalling is a process where the surface of the bricks begins to peel and chip off. It is often the result of issues within the bricks themselves, so spalling issues typically surface within the first few years following the installation of the retaining wall. When a brick is too porous, moisture seeps into it. Then, the water expands during the winter freeze-thaw cycles, which leads the chips to spall off. If the problem becomes severe, the bricks themselves will begin to deteriorate, and the wall will lose structural integrity. Spalling can sometimes be prevented by sealing the bricks, but once it begins, replacement of the damaged bricks is the only effective solution.

For more information about brickwork services, contact a local professional.

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