Sydney Paving Tips - Fixing Leaning Retaining Walls

Oh no. My retaining walls are leaning!

A retaining wall is vital in preventing erosion and flooding in any garden or landscape where they are built.

Unfortunately, retaining walls can become damaged over time, making them a significant hazard waiting to happen. If you notice that your retaining wall is leaning or starting to show signs of wear or damage, it’s vital to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Why do retaining walls lean?

Retaining walls will lean from the pressure of the soil behind them. Older retaining walls are more prone to leaning because of age, shifting ground, tree roots, and subsidence (the ground sinking below its original surface).

A poorly constructed wall could also develop a lean much earlier than it should. Poorly draining soil behind the wall could make the soil heavier than the wall can handle, which can cause it to develop a lean over time.

A retaining wall with a slight lean is usually okay. Pushing it back will be almost impossible, but you should monitor it carefully for additional movement.

Walls with a considerable lean, moved when pushed on, or high walls that have moved are a potential safety hazard and should be examined by a professional service as soon as possible.

Should you repair or replace a retaining wall?

Retaining walls play a crucial role in creating stability on land with a slope and are rarely constructed for aesthetic appeal alone. Never remove a leaning retaining wall because a leaning barrier is better than none at all.

If your home is built on a property with a retaining wall, it’s failure could mean the house sliding downhill in a landslide or damage to walls and foundations over time as it creeps downhill inch-by-inch. In severe cases, a failed retaining wall could mean the property becoming condemned and unliveable until repairs are complete.

A collapsing retaining wall can cause serious injury to anybody present at the time, as well as cars and other property in the area. Clean-up and replacement will be more costly than repairing or replacing the wall.

Different pavers suit different purposes and aesthetics for homeowners and provide more options where budget is concerned. One popular material that is proving popular for Sydney pavers is limestone. What is limestone, and does it make the cut as a good choice for driveway paving Sydney properties? This quick guide from a Sydney paving expert should help.

Do you need advise and remediation solutions for your leaning retainer wall?

Phil and the team at About Paving have 12 years of industry experience and can provide you with solutions on how to properly fix your leaning retainer wall. We offer a no-obligation call. With our network of Sydney paving suppliers, we aim to access the best prices possible.

Find out more about our Sydney paving services right here.

More Sydney paving tips and information

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Things to Consider When Paving a Large Driveway

Sydney Paving Tips – 6 Benefits of Driveway Pavers

Sydney Paving Tips – Best Type of Pool Pavers