Retaining Wall Failure: Fundamental Causes
You must have always wondered what would have happened without a retaining wall on your property? Or will there be any significant impact if you remove the retaining wall? Let’s face the truth. If you have a retaining wall, it means you need it. It serves the crucial purpose of protecting your property from excessive soil erosion or ground shifting.
Generally, places with loose topsoil have retaining walls to hold back soil or block water. Retaining walls are barriers against flooding and landslides. With such intensive functionality, evidently, removing the retaining wall from your property is a bad idea!
However, like any other masonry structure, retaining wall repair Bronx is necessary to safeguard structural and functional efficacy. Retaining walls often fail due to the lack of maintenance and ignoring the early damage signs. What are they? Let’s find out.
Factors Contributing to Retaining Wall Failure
Masonry damage does not occur in a day! But you can notice the damage signs and fix your retaining wall in a day before it collapses! The extensive pressure exerted on a retaining wall is itself one of the factors gradually leading to its failure. We have several other reasons, too:
- Excessive Soil Erosion- Some soil types are prone to excessive erosion. With strong wind or running water, the soil erodes away and over time, develops cavities. Naturally, the structural integrity of the retaining wall is compromised.
- Soil Movement- The shifting of soil is common in clayey soil. It swells or expands upon moisture exposure and shrinks or contracts when dries up. Hence, the constant soil movement results in retaining wall failure. Call retaining wall repair contractors promptly to address the issue.
- Improper Drainage- To drain out water from behind the retaining wall, weep holes are an essential feature. These holes release hydrostatic pressure, retaining the strength and stability of the structure.
- Extreme Hydrostatic Pressure- The pressure exerted by water on the retaining wall is known as hydrostatic pressure. It increases when there is a lack of proper drainage network. As a result, you may notice the bowing or leaning of retaining walls. Often, you may require retaining wall replacement if the damage is irreparable.
- Inadequate Soil Compaction- A strong base or foundation means a stronger construction. For a strong base, appropriate soil compaction is obligatory. Loose soil doesn’t support a sturdy and secure structure. It means your retaining wall may fail if there is not adequate soil compaction. It is a critical problem, and you must treat it earnestly.
- Lack of Reinforcements- Steel reinforcements enhance the strength of a masonry structure, including the retaining wall. Since retaining walls have to withstand so much load, steel reinforcements are needed to boost their firmness and durability. Without reinforcements, a retaining wall will not last longer.
- Construction Failure- A poorly constructed retaining wall using low-grade raw materials or improper techniques is another vital reason for damage and failure.
The importance of retaining wall repair is not unknown to anyone! It is the key to preventing costly mistakes leading to threatening consequences. Hence, avert structural failure and protect your property.
