If your retaining wall has been on the property for several years, you may be noticing signs of deterioration without being aware of how bad the deterioration truly is. A retaining wall is used to restrict a lot of dirt, so if the wall collapses it can lead to a great deal of damage, especially if the retaining wall is built on a slope or hillside. It’s important that you pay attention to the condition of retaining walls; the sooner damages are repaired, the less expensive and extensive the resulting damages will be. Here are a few signs that it’s time to contact your local construction services Des Moines, IA for retaining wall repairs.
Separation
If the retaining wall on your property has more than one side, you may notice separation of the walls, which is typically a sign of a poorly constructed retaining wall. A retaining wall undergoes a great deal of pressure from water and the ground sliding and eroding, so if the potential weight of the soil and water was miscalculated, a joined or wraparound retaining wall may end up being pushed apart. Another common cause of this is poor drainage near the retaining wall.
Cracking and Crumbling
If you are noticing sections of the retaining wall that has cracking or if there is crumbling stone, you should contact construction services Des Moines, IA as soon as possible to fix the problem. Retaining walls that are crumbling and has large cracks is a safety hazard. This type of damage is typically caused by a load that is heavier than the wall can handle, which means the retaining wall will eventually collapse.
In many situations, it’s better to repair an existing retaining wall instead of demolishing the current wall and rebuilding. If you are noticing damages to your retaining wall, regardless of how small the damage may seem, it’s important to address the problems as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of collapse.
To schedule an inspection of your retaining wall, contact Quality Construction Services in Des Moines, IA.
