Cracks, leaning sections, loose caps and crumbling mortar are common in older block and retaining walls around Spokane. Many problems can be repaired if they are caught early. Waiting usually means water and frost make the damage worse.
Common wall problems
- Cracks in blocks or mortar joints (stair-step cracks often point to settling)
- Leaning or bulging retaining walls, usually from water pressure behind the wall
- Loose or missing caps letting water into the wall
- Crumbling or missing mortar that needs repointing
- Efflorescence (white staining) showing that moisture is moving through the wall
- Damage from vehicles, trees or roots
Repair or rebuild?
Surface cracks, loose caps and worn mortar joints can usually be repaired. A retaining wall that is leaning, bulging or has failed drainage often needs a section taken down and rebuilt with proper base, backfill and drain pipe. A repair that ignores the cause tends to fail again, so we look at drainage, footing and soil first, then recommend the option that makes sense for your budget.
What a repair can include
- Replacing cracked or broken blocks
- Repointing (tuckpointing) mortar joints
- Resetting and re-adhering wall caps
- Adding or clearing drainage behind retaining walls
- Rebuilding failed sections
- Cleaning and sealing masonry
Related services
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