Hi, we have a retaining wall with no drainage or anchoring behind it and it's starting to lean, what would you recommend here?
We need this wall to last 30+ years but we don't have a huge budget to work with. We've had a variety of quotes and proposals ranging from $20k-$140k – we don't want to pour anything and would like to stick with block, but are really wondering if we can re-use the block we have with drainage behind the wall, or if we need to replace it with heavier blocks with a pin and tie-back system. Would appreciate input from folks that aren't actively trying to 'sell us' on something. I appreciate it.
by sirwoodland
8 Comments
No drainage – that’s pretty wild.
There is no solution other than pull the block and start over or pour something to reinforce it. The blocks weren’t set back even, this is shitty work
Shoot, id take a mini behind that wall, dig 2 foot out all the way down, drainrock and ads, backfill. 10k all day. No gaurentees because the block is cheap and its probably over height as it is.
Maybe downstack half and geogrid it. 15k.
Contractors are always going to cost 10x as much. I was quoted 30k for a 3 foot wall. I spent the summer after work picking away at it and costed me 1500 in materials.
boulders
What was the reason for no drainage? It would need a ton of drainage for that massive mound back there. Best you can do is tear it down and start over but thats not a small job
Put a 2’x2’ v shaped concrete drain . They do this in the mountains all the time .
First of all the wall will not last. Failure is eminent. Your quotes are crazy. I don’t know the scope of work, however, depending upon your decision on “how to fix it”, I would talk to an experienced person on your options. IMHO, you need a fortified retaining wall, with a footing. You should get a soil sample from an engineering firm to determine what you need to build. Move on from there.