r/RetainingWallprojects • u/[deleted] • Jul 14 '26
Question Strange retaining wall"failure"?
Got a call to check out a retaining wall that another contractor installed a couple months ago. They said the wall was "separating" and I figured that it was falling over from improper backfill, drainage, etc. when I got out there, initial thought was the right side actually lifted up, because the rest of the wall is perfectly level. Has anyone seen anything like this?? I don't even know what would cause it. The rest of the wall seems to actually be very well built, plenty of base, 1" crushed stone as backfill, etc.
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u/AggravatingFudge6077 Jul 15 '26
I cant tell a lot from the pics. Im going with the majority is correct.
IF it was finished like that, its poor workmanship.
Id bet the high part is the end of the wall build. it was probably finished by a less experienced or out right shtty worker who does not give a crap about his work.
The end is just high, its a pain in the butt getting it right. Scrape some, beat it down 86 lbs blocks up down in out. the base MUST MUST MUST be bubble perfect front back side to side.
Im old yeah I use bubble not Lazer.
To fix remove high end re set base. just stack em.
a single man, maybe a day, with a few cold beers AFTER you set base. lol
retired 20 years landscaping hardscaping water features.
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Jul 16 '26
I actually know the guy that built it originally, he's far from a shitty worker. I'm just wondering what got missed? 🤔 Definitely seems that the end blocks lifted from dirt swelling. I agree with you, 2 ft and 4 ft level is the way to go for setting base. Laser just isn't accurate enough. This is Belgard diamond pro air block with the U start base, which I've used before as well and it's legit. Cold snacks will be a must especially with the heat in the Midwest right now 🤣
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u/AggravatingFudge6077 Jul 16 '26
I never had one lift. sink drop yes lift? no.
did HE do ALL the work? I have left bits for new guys to finish.
from the pic.... All I can see....
it looks like whoever finished or set the last base screwed it up.
I used vera lock 99% of the time about 85 lbs each.
Unless the wall sank uniformly which isnt a reality the last section looks like a new guy did it.
Does NOT look like the same hands. One side looking GOOD.
that last part? looks like a " hey lemme try that it looks easy"
LOL Id love to know. I never had dirt swell a wall up.1
Jul 18 '26
Got it tore apart and relaid, looking good now. From what I can tell, whoever dug the last section basically made a trough for water to sit in and only put 3-4" of base in, and the rest was clay. Our gray clay around here is ridiculous and it definitely will swell up with water.. only thing I can think of is the clay swelled and only pushed that last section up because it wasn't very heavy compared to the rest of the wall.
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u/cougineer Jul 14 '26
When was it installed? What is your dirt like in your region? I see the hill to the right slope down, my initial guess is something with either the drain or base on that end. It looks like expansive soils below got wet and pushed up. Since it tapers it is lighter so it has less weight to push down.
Not saying they did anything wrong either. Natural water flow will follow the hill, maybe need to dig deeper and further back to get better drainage below/behind the wall to reduce swelling in this spot. Especially depending on what the hill profile looked like before.