Retaining Wall Repair Archives | FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL

Why It Is Crucial To Maintain Your Retaining Walls

Retaining walls, well, most retaining walls anyway, have a specific structural purpose. They hold back the earth behind them.

When a retaining wall fails, it can lead to a host of problems that can damage your property. That is why watching them for signs of damage is so important.

Why Retaining Walls are Used

Retaining walls are used throughout the country. They are most common, however, in hilly areas where land is at a premium, such as our base in Southern California.

There are a number of common uses of retaining walls:

1. Prevent Soil Erosion and Soil Displacement

Retaining walls stabilize soil on sloped terrain. They prevent it from washing away during heavy rains or shifting during earthquakes.

2. Create Usable Space

Sloped or uneven land isn’t practical for some uses. Retaining walls can be used to turn those slopes into flat, usable areas for gardens, patios, driveways, or buildings.

3. Support Slopes

Retaining walls can provide structural support to prevent soil from sliding, especially on steep slopes or hillsides.

4. Aesthetic Landscaping

Retaining walls can enhance the visual appeal of a property by creating terraces and serving as decorative elements.

5. Improve Accessibility

Retaining walls can create level walkways or paths on slopes, making areas more accessible.

Consequences of Retaining Wall Failure

Retaining wall behind home on a hillside

The severity of the potential consequences of retaining wall failure are tied directly to the wall’s purpose. The 8-foot wall helping stabilize a hillside on your property is going to cause much more severe damage if it fails than the three-brick-tall retaining wall in your yard that is mostly decorative.

Some of the ways in which retaining wall failure can affect your property include:

Erosion

If a retaining wall fails, the cause is likely, at least in part, the soil behind it exerting pressure against it. What do you think the chances of that soil staying in place once the retaining wall is gone are?

Depending upon which side of the retaining wall your property is on, this could have different consequences. If the wall was providing a level surface for your patio or driveway in an area that would otherwise be sloping downward, erosion in the soil beneath the concrete slab could destabilize it, causing portions to sink and crack.

If the retaining wall is upslope from your property, the erosion could send the ground into your yard, at minimum causing a mess and worst-case damaging your home or other buildings on the property.

Damage to Nearby Structures

As noted above, shifting of earth previously held back by a retaining wall can cause damage to nearby structures in two ways. First, the soil could slide into them. Second, it could destabilize the ground that they sit on, causing them to sink unevenly.

In either case, the damage can be significant and can increase the next point.

Financial Costs

Repairing or rebuilding a failed retaining wall can be expensive, especially if additional damage occurs to your property or landscaping. Legal liabilities may arise if the failure impacts neighboring properties or public infrastructure.

Signs That Your Retaining Wall Might Fail

1. Wall Has Begun Leaning or Tilting
2. Cracks in Wall
3. Bulging or Bowing in the Retaining wall
4. Drainage Not Working
5. Erosion at the Top of the Wall or Beneath Its Base
6. Movement of Wall Sections or Capstones

Read more about these issues in our article on Signs of Retaining Wall Failure.

Do You Need Retaining Wall Repairs in San Diego or Orange County? Contact Us Today

At Foundations on the Level, we are experienced at stabilizing retaining walls that are in danger of failing. If appropriate, we can install helical tiebacks, which anchor the wall into the soil behind it, counteracting the forces pressing out against the wall. If you want to learn more, contact us today.

Helical Tieback Anchors: Immense Strength for Your Retaining Wall

Why Helical Tieback Anchors are Your Best Repair Solution

Not only do retaining walls add beauty to any home or business they also serve a very important function: retaining walls keep soil from sliding downhill. If you have a retaining wall on your Southern California property, and you have noticed signs of failure such as cracking, tilting, bulging, or leaning, it is time to take action to prevent retaining wall failure. Helical tieback anchors may be the answer.

Helical tiebacks laid out in preparation for a retaining wall job. — Helical Tieback installation for a retaining wall.

What are Helical Tieback Anchors?

Helical Tieback Anchors are screw anchors. They are designed to stabilize foundations or retaining walls, reducing the future risk of horizontal movement. Tieback Anchors used by Foundations on the Level are the best repair solution to solve any type of failure you may be experiencing.

How do They Work?

Foundations on the Level can use helical tiebacks to pull back and add strength to leaning retaining walls. We install helical tiebacks into retained soil with our portable and lightweight drilling equipment. Once the tiebacks retain the right capacity ratio of the soil strength, they are tensioned and put in place. Some advantages of using this process include:

Helical tiebacks offer immense strength and capacity to shore up a slope and stabilize a retaining wall
Weather conditions during installation and after have no effect on tiebacks
No need for curing time or cleanup after installation is complete
Quick and simple installation process
Tiebacks can be extracted for future project use

Put the Strength of Helical Tieback Anchors to work for you

No matter what type of retaining wall problem you might have, including wall failure, Foundations on the Level can help. We repair retaining walls with Helical Tiebacks as well as build new retaining walls. In addition, we utilize the most advanced products and solutions for foundation repair and structural support available in today’s market. If you notice signs of retaining wall failure, call us today at 760-889-8150 or contact us for a free estimate.

Maintaining Your Retaining Wall

A retaining wall can not only add curb appeal, but it also helps to protect your home, business, and property. Aside from the added aesthetics of retaining walls, the main purpose of a retaining wall is to keep the soil from sliding downhill, making maintaining your retaining wall crucial.

This is especially important for the soil around foundations. If the soil surrounding a foundation moves too much, it can lead to foundation problems. So here are a few ways homeowners in Orange County can maintaining their existing retaining wall, or knowing when it’s time to repair it.

Retaining Wall Maintenance

There are several steps that you can take while maintaining your retaining wall:

Switch soil for gravel. Gravel allows water to drain quickly and won’t expand like soil does when water is present. This will ensure that your retaining wall isn’t prone to excessive expanding and contracting, giving your wall a longer lifespan.
Install a drain tile. By installing a drain tile, you can reduce water levels around your retaining wall and keep it safe from water damage and pressure.
Prevent blow out failure. When too much soil is added on top of the retaining wall, it causes the wall to lean forward. Eventually, the soil will get too heavy and the wall will fall. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can install helical tiebacks to prevent this from happening.

retaining wall repair southern california

What if problems still occur?

When we need to repair a retaining wall, we often use helical tiebacks to pull back and add strength to leaning retaining walls. This process is quick and simple, yet adds extra strength and stability.

Install Tiebacks. These tiebacks are installed into retained soil with our portable and lightweight drilling equipment.
Tension and Place. Once the tiebacks retain the right capacity ratio of the soil strength, they are tensioned and put in place.

Advantages of using this process include:

Immense strength and capacity to stabilize a retaining wall
Unaffected by weather conditions
No need for curing time or cleanup
Quick and simple installation process
Tiebacks can be extracted for future project use

If your retaining wall need of repair, contact us for a free report and estimate! We serve Orange County and San Diego Counties.

Landslides and Foundation Problems

California has been no stranger to weird weather and other natural occurrences this last year. After wildfires have removed most of the plant life protecting the earth from erosion, record-breaking rainfalls have been taking place. Landslides and other disasters have occurred throughout the state.

This mixture of events can cause a lot of problems for roads and structures around the area. The slides can consist of rockfalls, mudflows, slope failures, and more and can happen anywhere there is a slope gradient, it doesn’t have to be steep, just enough for gravity and momentum to do their thing.

Extreme Damage Caused by Slides

Slides can be tremendous forces of nature, destroying roads, moving vehicles, and leveling buildings. The slide can also pick up trees, objects, and debris, causing damage and blocking waterways which can result in flooding. Mudflows in Southern California in 2018 caused an estimated $177 million in property damage, $7 million in emergency responses, and $43 million in clean up costs, in addition to causing 21 reported deaths and over 150 people being hospitalized.

Landslides and Your Home

Your home may be strong and the foundation stable, but if a landslide were to occur, your house may be in danger. FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can help protect your home and repair any damage that may occur from a landslide or mudflow.

Foundation Repair

Any type of movement of the earth around your home can damage the foundation. A settling or sunken foundation can lead to structural damage throughout the house. The landslide can remove support from one side of your home or exert great pressure on another side.

You may notice cracks, bowing walls, and other signs of foundation problems after a slide. Don’t waste any time having it inspected. The stability of your entire home depends on having a strong foundation. Make sure that a reliable foundation contractor examines your property and you follow through with any suggestions that they may make.

Slab Leveling

Not every landslide causes foundation problems, sometimes it may just disturb your concrete slabs. Your driveway, sidewalk, or patio can be pushed out of place or sink.

An uneven slab is not only ugly, but it can be a tripping hazard or not allow water to drain correctly. Water may flow towards your home or cause the soil under the slab to erode, leading to more problems.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can make sure that your slab is level and safe through the application of polyurethane foam. The foam will expand, raising the slab to the desired level and sealing the bottom from any water infiltration. Protect your home and guests from an uneven slab.

Crack Repair

If the earth around your home moves, you may notice cracks in floors, walls, and ceilings. There are two kinds of cracks: structural and settlement cracks. You can look for cracks and monitor if they are growing. If you are at all concerned about a crack, you must contact a reputable foundation contractor like FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL.

One of the problems with cracks is that, if you aren’t knowledgeable about their cause or what they can do, you have no idea if it is something cosmetic or a sign of future foundation collapse. However, even if a crack isn’t a structural issue, it can allow water and pests to enter your home. You must have the cracks taken care of.

Retaining Wall Repair

Your retaining wall has one job: to keep the earth on the other side of the wall in place. If a landslide occurs, it can cause the retaining wall to lean or bow, or in a worst-case scenario, to even fail.

FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL can keep your retaining wall strong and stable. Through the use of helical tiebacks, a leaning retaining wall can be pulled back and be stronger than ever.

A retaining wall protects your property, so make sure that you take care of it!

Foundations on the Level and Slides

There is only so much you can do to try and tame Mother Nature, sometimes she will just do what she wants. Let FOUNDATIONS ON THE LEVEL help you keep your property safe before or after a landslide.

Signs of Retaining Wall Failure

Homes and businesses on the West Coast often have retaining walls to keep sandy soil in place and protect it from problems like coastal erosion. But retaining walls can wear down over time, leading to retaining wall failure.

Is your retaining wall in disrepair? If so, it could lead to major erosion problems that eat away at your foundation or the soil around it. This can cause structural issues, cracks, and water problems.

How to Tell if Your Retaining Wall Needs Repairs

1. Wall Has Begun Leaning or Tilting

If the wall has started to tilt or buckle, or if a part of the wall is showing these signs, these could be signs that the wall is no longer able to support the load that the soil is placing on it. Voids behind the wall also could be creating instability.

2. Cracks in Wall

Similar to wall cracks in a home, not all cracks in retaining walls mean the same thing. Most can be broken up into two categories:

Horizontal cracks: These cracks usually occur when the pressure on the wall from the soil behind it becomes too much for the wall to support. The cracks are often accompanied by a bowing in the wall at the crack point.
Vertical or Stair-Step Cracks: These cracks can be caused when, via erosion or other issues, a portion of the wall begins to settle into the ground. This placed the concrete or masonry elements under stress, eventually causing them to crack.

3. Bulging or Bowing

If you notice that either sections or the entirety of your retaining wall bulging or bowing it means that either something has weakened within the wall itself or the pressure being applied by the soil behind it has gotten to be too much for the retaining wall.

4. Drainage Not Working

Whether your wall has weep holes or some other drainage method, if you notice that nothing is draining after a rain or that water is accumulating behind your wall, this is a sign that your retaining wall is under stress. The more water accumulates, the more hydrostatic pressure it applies on the retaining wall. Eventually this could lead to retaining wall failure.

5. Erosion at the Top of the Wall or Beneath Its Base

Erosion behind a retaining wall can change the soil load it is supporting. If erosion occurs at its base, portions of the wall might settle, causing cracking and weakening of the wall.

6. Movement of Wall Sections or Capstones

If the wall or portions of it begin to shift, including pulling away from a structure that was on one end of it, that is a sign that either the pressure in the soil has increased to beyond what the retaining wall was designed to hold or that there are structural issues with the retaining wall itself.

What to Do if You Need Retaining Wall Repair

You might see other signs of failure that could indicate your retaining wall needs to be stabilized as well – crumbling, rotting wood on or near the wall, or sloped and uneven surfaces nearby (patios, driveways, decks, etc.).

If you do need retaining wall repair in the Orange County or San Diego County area, call Foundations on the Level right away. We utilize helical tiebacks from Earth Contact Products (ECP), to straighten, level, and stabilize the retaining wall. We can fix leaning and bowing retaining walls, closing the cracks and stabilizing the wall.