Retaining Wall Repair
#1
03-28-10, 02:40 PM
Retaining Wall Repair
I have two retaining walls in my yard that are leaning over that I am going to try to stand up again. I know it's not the best option, but my cash flow is real tight at the moment.
My plan is to properly back the walls with stone and some drainage pipe to alleviate the cause of the problem. My question is what type of fabric can I use to keep the soil from mixing with my stone? I asked the guy at a supply yard and he was suggesting regular landscape fabric that's used as weed block. Is that ok or do I need something a bit different?
My plan is to properly back the walls with stone and some drainage pipe to alleviate the cause of the problem. My question is what type of fabric can I use to keep the soil from mixing with my stone? I asked the guy at a supply yard and he was suggesting regular landscape fabric that's used as weed block. Is that ok or do I need something a bit different?
#2
03-28-10, 04:11 PM
Member
I've used the weed block behind flagstone retaining walls and wrapped around drain pipe in french drains. Worked fine. I don't know what else there is to use.
BTW, it will also help if you can anchor the wall back into the soil behind it and don't forget to leave weep holes for water to drain out.
BTW, it will also help if you can anchor the wall back into the soil behind it and don't forget to leave weep holes for water to drain out.
#3
03-28-10, 06:47 PM
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weed block will work just fine for that purpose, but you are in for a lot of hard work to dig out the area behind the wall and then refill properly with the block and gravel to allow water to drain from behind the wall.
murphy was an optimist
murphy was an optimist
#5
03-28-10, 08:02 PM
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wasn't saying it would be less work just wanted to make sure you knew what you were in fore, me i would go ahead and tear the walls down and start them correctly, best would be a stack wall with land scape blocks,
Murphy was an optimist
Murphy was an optimist
#7
03-29-10, 06:43 PM
Member
Spending time on your wall could be like chasing a dieing horse.
If the wall is leaning the wall could have failed and will NEVER be as strong as it was originally or the footing has ROTATED - or even worse, both of these could be occurring at the same time. If the wall failed and leaned you will always be applying an off-center load on the footing, causing potential rotation.
To bring a structurally sound wall back to plumb will take a lot of work and equipment. If the wall itself is good, you will have to attach it and tie it back to some "deadmen".
Landscape fabric is a joke when it comes to carrying and load. There is, however, a structural geo-technical fabric or a geo-grid that has been used for many years on engineering projects. I have seen is used on 40' high interlocking small segmental retaining walls (government highway project)where no concrete footing is allowed for this type of wall.
If the footing has rotated, to soil was overloaded the footing will have to be replaced if you want anything to last. In any case, you will need to excavate the existing backfill, add drain tile and replace with proper backfill (not always one size crushed rock).
How high and long are your 2 walls? How long you you want the wall to last?
Dick
If the wall is leaning the wall could have failed and will NEVER be as strong as it was originally or the footing has ROTATED - or even worse, both of these could be occurring at the same time. If the wall failed and leaned you will always be applying an off-center load on the footing, causing potential rotation.
To bring a structurally sound wall back to plumb will take a lot of work and equipment. If the wall itself is good, you will have to attach it and tie it back to some "deadmen".
Landscape fabric is a joke when it comes to carrying and load. There is, however, a structural geo-technical fabric or a geo-grid that has been used for many years on engineering projects. I have seen is used on 40' high interlocking small segmental retaining walls (government highway project)where no concrete footing is allowed for this type of wall.
If the footing has rotated, to soil was overloaded the footing will have to be replaced if you want anything to last. In any case, you will need to excavate the existing backfill, add drain tile and replace with proper backfill (not always one size crushed rock).
How high and long are your 2 walls? How long you you want the wall to last?
Dick
#8
03-30-10, 06:09 PM
I'm not looking for the fabric for structure but to keep silt out of the rock.
The walls are about 4' high and 15' long. The were pushed over due to inadequate drainage behind the wall. I don't know if it is just soil behind the wall or rock that's been silted up. There may not even be a footing.
I want the walls to exceed my lifespan. Why would I want anything less?
The walls are about 4' high and 15' long. The were pushed over due to inadequate drainage behind the wall. I don't know if it is just soil behind the wall or rock that's been silted up. There may not even be a footing.
I want the walls to exceed my lifespan. Why would I want anything less?
