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Retaining Wall Repair

Retaining wall repair

A wall that has started to lean, bulge or crack usually doesn’t fix itself, and Pittsburgh winters tend to make it worse. Catching it early can mean a repair instead of a full rebuild. Describe what you are seeing and get a free written estimate.

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Covered under retaining wall repair

  • Leaning or tilting walls
  • Bowing or bulging sections
  • Cracked or crumbling block and mortar
  • Loose, shifted or missing blocks and caps
  • Soil washing out under or around the wall
  • Clogged or missing drainage behind the wall

Common signs of a failing wall

  • Leaning forward: the top of the wall tips away from the hill. A little lean back into the hill is normal; leaning out is not.
  • Bulging in the middle: soil and water pressure are pushing a section out.
  • Cracks and gaps: stair-step cracks in block or mortar, or gaps opening between stones.
  • Water problems: soggy ground at the base, water seeping through the face, or soil washing out of the joints.
  • Sinking or settling: one end lower than the other, or caps that no longer line up.

Repair or replace?

Some problems, like a few loose caps, a short damaged section or a blocked drain outlet, can often be repaired. A wall that is leaning badly along its length, was built without a proper base or drainage, or is made of rotting timbers may need to come down and be rebuilt. A good contractor will tell you which side of that line your wall is on. If you aren’t sure, ask for both options in writing, or read about retaining wall replacement.

Safety first

If a wall is moving quickly, has partly collapsed or holds up a driveway, steps or part of a building, keep people and cars away from it and mention it in your quote request. For a wall that seems to be threatening a house or a public sidewalk, contact your municipality’s building or code office.

Retaining Wall Repair in Pittsburgh

Available across the City of Pittsburgh, with requests from Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Ross, Shaler, McCandless, Wexford, Cranberry, Monroeville, Penn Hills welcome. See areas served.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my retaining wall leaning?

The most common cause is water building up behind the wall with nowhere to go. Other causes include a weak or shallow base, no reinforcement on a tall wall, or extra weight above it, like a parked car. A contractor can look at the wall and explain what is going on.

Can a leaning wall be straightened?

Sometimes a section can be taken down and rebuilt on a better base with new drainage, reusing good blocks or stone. If the whole wall is failing, replacement may be the better value.

Who is responsible for a wall between two properties?

It depends on whose property the wall is on and any agreements or deed terms. A survey can show where the property line falls. Mention a shared wall in your notes so the contractor knows to ask.

Related reading

When Do You Need a Retaining Wall? Slopes, Erosion and DrivewaysThe signs a sloped Pittsburgh yard needs a retaining wall, when a wall is overkill, and how to tell a wall that is starting to fail.Retaining Wall Cost in Pittsburgh: What Drives the PriceWhat goes into a retaining wall estimate in Pittsburgh, the factors that raise or lower cost, and what a fair written quote should include.

Other services

Retaining Wall InstallationRetaining Wall ReplacementWall Drainage