Retaining walls are invariable structures that serves as a safeguards for one's property, it separates the lower land from the higher land and serves as a barrier to hold back soil that can cave in, slide or slump into the lower lands. These walls are usually made from bricks, stones, cinder blocks or concrete.
Property owner's are in charge of ensuring that their retaining walls are unimpaired, in case the retaining wall separates two properties, then both owner's share equal responsibility for ensuring the stability of the retaining wall. If ever there is a question with regards to the wall’s sturdiness, strength and stability, then the owner’s will need to get the wall’s condition evaluated and make the necessary steps to repair and return the wall into its original form.
It is important to ensure that the retaining walls on their property are well-maintained. If the owner's fail to maintain their walls, then violations are issued by the DOB, in more serious situations, inspectors can issue violations that require immediate repairs especially in the most unsafe situation and the costs can quickly add up since most retaining walls will have a good number of violations that needs to be righted.
Structural Problems
Visible conditions can reveal various structural problems that compromise the stability of wall. If you see any of the following in your retaining walls, have your engineer or architect check the walls immediately
- Misaligned walls
- Pavement or soil swells at the bottom
- Severe crack, bulging or materials displaced in the wall
- Holes or crack in the soil or pavement above the wall
- Water leaks through clogged weeps holes or cracks
- Water accumulates behind or on top of the wall secondary to poor drainage
Some issues that can affect wall stability
- Freeze and thaw weather cycles can damage wall stability
- If there is a new construction near the vicinity of the wall, then it may affect stability
- Installation of shoring or bracing should be completed by contractors as a necessary precaution to prevent any problem
- Retaining walls should also be protected from repeated impacts like for example installation of parking bumpers in retaining walls in a parking lot so that cars will be prevented from bumping and into them and damaging them.
The DOB launched a program that started on June 18 and will end on July 29 that allows for owners to request for a free inspection of retaining walls, as well as decks and porches without incurring any violation. If you need any assistance with regards to your retaining walls, decks or porches, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be glad to assist you.