Retaining wall repair
A leaning or bulging wall usually gets worse with every heavy rain. Here's what repair looks like.
Retaining walls rarely fail all at once. They lean a little, bulge, crack or shed a few blocks first, often after a wet season. Catching the problem early usually means a smaller repair.
What causes a wall to fail?
- No drainage, or drainage that has clogged
- A wall built taller than its design, or without reinforcement
- New loads on top: a driveway, vehicles, a building or more fill
- Rotting timbers or deteriorating mortar
- Erosion at the toe of the wall, or a slope that moved
Repair or rebuild?
Small problems, such as a few loose stones, a damaged cap, or a short section that has shifted, can often be repaired. A wall that is leaning along its length, bulging badly, or was built without drainage or reinforcement usually needs the failing section taken down and rebuilt correctly. A contractor may recommend an engineer's assessment for tall walls or walls supporting a driveway or house.
Timber walls
Older landscape-timber walls are common on Asheville properties and rot from the inside. Once timbers soften, they lose strength quickly. Replacing them with block or stone is usually the long-term fix.
Is my wall dangerous?
If a wall is moving quickly, has new large cracks, or sits above a house, driveway or road, keep people and vehicles away from it and get it looked at promptly.
The contractor prices the wall after walking the site, checking the slope and soil, and talking through what you need. We don't quote prices, and a number given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can a leaning retaining wall be straightened?
Sometimes a short section can be taken down and rebuilt. Walls leaning along their length usually need to be rebuilt with proper drainage and reinforcement.
Does homeowners insurance cover retaining wall repair?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Many policies exclude landslides and earth movement. Check with your insurer.
Related services
More background: Asheville retaining wall guide.
Wall leaning, cracking or a slope that's moving?
Call now and a local retaining wall contractor will look at it and quote the work.