Fix retaining wall
#1
08-25-20, 02:55 PM
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Fix retaining wall
Hello,
I have a retaining wall on a slope about 6 feet away from my house. It is leaning / bowing outwards towards and down the slope. I am wondering if I can just remove it and build a new one, or if I have to build some kind of scaffolding or support so the soil behind it doesn't spill out and down the slope. The concern is the soil it is holding is right next to the house about 6 feet away or so, I don't want to take the house along with the soil when I'm repairing the wall.
Thanks!
Tim
I have a retaining wall on a slope about 6 feet away from my house. It is leaning / bowing outwards towards and down the slope. I am wondering if I can just remove it and build a new one, or if I have to build some kind of scaffolding or support so the soil behind it doesn't spill out and down the slope. The concern is the soil it is holding is right next to the house about 6 feet away or so, I don't want to take the house along with the soil when I'm repairing the wall.
Thanks!
Tim
#2
08-25-20, 03:24 PM
The questions will be asked,
How tall is it, what's it made of, what is your soil type, what type of house foundation, can you post a picture?
Depending upon soil type and height sometime you can, sometimes you do the wall in sections, sometimes you'll need to install tiebacks.
How tall is it, what's it made of, what is your soil type, what type of house foundation, can you post a picture?
Depending upon soil type and height sometime you can, sometimes you do the wall in sections, sometimes you'll need to install tiebacks.
#3
08-25-20, 03:29 PM
Group Moderator
As a very rough rule of thumb I draw a line outwards at a 45 degree angle from the bottom of the footer. Outside that area I consider it generally safe to excavate without stabilization. If you need to excavate within that 45 degree area under the footer then you probably should consult a professional. Of course this all depends on your soils and the height of your retaining wall.
#4
09-01-20, 08:35 AM
Join Date: Aug 2020
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Hello Tumble,
It is about 4 ft, made of concrete poured into a sheet metal mold. I do not know the soil type here but it seems like regular soil not sand and not clay. The foundation is rock slab that they took out of the nearby rapids a long time ago from what I know. I don't have a picture but will try and upload one.
It is about 4 ft, made of concrete poured into a sheet metal mold. I do not know the soil type here but it seems like regular soil not sand and not clay. The foundation is rock slab that they took out of the nearby rapids a long time ago from what I know. I don't have a picture but will try and upload one.
#5
09-01-20, 09:12 AM
So just an initial comment. Where I am, if the retaining wall from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall is 4' or greater then a permit is required. Being that your wall is so close to your home that might trigger additional requirements.
Are you in an area that has similar requirements and have you asked the AHJ about them? That might guide your process as you go forward.
If this was a landscaping wall away from structure, I might cowboy it and be a little less worried about following the "requirements" but obviously you don't want to risk the house.
Are you in an area that has similar requirements and have you asked the AHJ about them? That might guide your process as you go forward.
If this was a landscaping wall away from structure, I might cowboy it and be a little less worried about following the "requirements" but obviously you don't want to risk the house.
