How to fix leaning brick retaining wall?

phiaxs

  

Hi everyone!

This might be beyond the scope of this community and will need advice from a landscaper but I’ll give it a shot anyway. I have a retaining wall which is starting to lean. I’m unsure what could be causing it. There are some cracks along the concrete on the upper few rows of bricks. There are ants on the walls too. I wonder if the vegetation above has something to do with it. Are the holes on the bottom bricks weep holes? Is there anything I can do to investigate this further or address? 

MitchellMc

Hi @phiaxs,

A leaning retaining wall is often a sign of underlying issues that need to be addressed to prevent further damage or potential collapse. The leaning could be due to soil movement over time, which is a common cause as the pressure from the soil behind the wall gradually builds up. If the wall wasn’t constructed with adequate stability or proper drainage to manage water buildup behind it, this can exacerbate the problem and lead to cracks or shifting. 

It’s important to determine whether the leaning affects the entire wall or just the upper rows of bricks. If only the top rows are leaning, it might indicate an issue with how those rows were bonded or a localised problem such as uneven soil pressure or poor mortar quality. On the other hand, if the entire wall is leaning, it could signify more serious foundational or structural concerns.

You may need to consult with a professional landscaper or structural engineer to assess the extent of the damage and identify the best course of action. 

The holes could have been drilled to reduce water pressure and retention from being the wall if this issue has been going on for some time. It might be worth re-drilling those holes out if they're blocked to see if there is water trapped behind the wall.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell