3 Evidences That Your Retaining Wall Needs a Professional Inspection

Yards are very different. Sometimes there are hills where you want a flat surface, and sometimes you have a flat surface where you could do with a hill. The unevenness on yards is the reason why most homeowners build retaining walls on hilly sections of their property. Therefore, if you have just bought a property that has a retaining wall, then you are in luck. Not only do the walls create more usable space, but they also prevent soil erosion and add aesthetic value to a property. However, it is easy to miss potential problems with retaining walls if you know little about them. This article highlights the evidence that your retaining wall needs an inspection from a landscaping contractor.

Growing Trees Nearby: Everyone loves to see trees growing on their new property, but the benefits make it easy for new property owners to ignore the dangers posed by the plants to a retaining wall. It is because as the trees grow, the roots increase in length and size and eventually reach the wall. The bad news is that it is difficult to see what is happening underground; hence, most people realise they have a problem when the wall succumbs to the constant push from the roots. Therefore, call a landscaping contractor when you notice young trees growing near a retaining wall or roots appearing between the wall's blocks. A landscaper will recommend a procedure to improve the longevity of your retaining wall.

High Retaining Walls: It is common to find a single retaining wall on a steep hill in some properties. Such retaining walls are usually tall and require extra reinforcement using cantilevers and anchors. Therefore, it is critical to take note of a retaining wall's height. If you ascertain that it is more than 4 feet high, then only a landscaping contractor can tell you if it is structurally stable. If a landscaping contractor determines that a retaining wall is not strong enough, then they might propose the addition of as staggered retaining wall for additional support.

Weeping Retaining Wall With No Weeping Holes: Since retaining walls are built to be impervious, the walls must be equipped with a drainage system to help prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup. Such drainage systems include perforated piping inside the backfill or weeping holes to allow water to drain through the wall. You must, therefore, ascertain what drainage method was used on a retaining wall on your new property. If water flows through a retaining wall that doesn't have weeping holes, then it is a sign that the barrier is no longer impervious. You need to call a landscaping contractor for a thorough inspection of the wall's backfill.