Inspect Retaining Walls
Why It Matters
A failing retaining wall can collapse suddenly, causing property damage, destroying landscaping, and creating safety hazards.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Level. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the inspect retaining walls
Check retaining walls for leaning, cracking, bulging, or drainage failures.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If walls leaning more than 1 inch or with significant cracking, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Level
Community Tips
Horizontal cracks wider than 1/8 inch or bowing sections indicate structural failure and require professional engineering assessment before deterioration threatens adjacent foundations or property. Ignoring these signs can lead to sudden collapse and liability issues.
Inspect drainage behind the wall by checking for water seepage, algae growth, or soil erosion at the base—poor drainage is the primary cause of premature wall failure. Installing or clearing perforated drain pipe behind the wall with gravel backing prevents hydrostatic pressure buildup that compromises mortar joints and stone stability.
A Bosch Digital Level with Bluetooth ($120-150) eliminates guesswork when measuring settlement; compare readings taken at 2-foot intervals along the wall to establish whether tilting is gradual (normal) or sudden (dangerous), and log measurements annually to track deterioration rates. ---