I have a 6-foot-tall, 50-foot-long retaining wall in my backyard that's starting to show signs of spalling and deterioration, but thankfully, there's no leaning yet. Our home inspector mentioned we might have a few years before serious problems arise. I've been exploring my options and, while I'd love to remove the wall entirely, I realize that's likely not practical. I've received a quote for deepening the wall by 10 feet, raising it to 10 feet tall with soldier piles, but at $300k, that feels way too steep. I'm looking for alternative solutions that might help reclaim some usable space while still managing the slope effectively. Is this quote reasonable, and what other ideas do you all have?
3 Answers
It sounds like your current wall faces some serious challenges! One option I looked into for a similar issue was building a concrete bag wall. It involves using 80 lb concrete bags stacked in a staggered manner, which can help retain the soil while allowing water to drain through — reducing pressure on the wall, which is a big deal with saturated soil. You'd need to step the bags rather than stack them straight up. If you regrade the slope a little, you could create terraces for landscaping or outdoor activities. Plus, doing the labor yourself can save you a lot of cash!
Just to clarify for everyone, the slope I'm dealing with is about 20 feet high, but I'm also hoping to utilize that space effectively without spending a fortune on wall replacement! Any other unique ideas?
You might want to look into erosion control methods as well! They can help manage soil and water issues without the need for an expensive wall overhaul.
I agree that $300k sounds outrageous! If you're considering retaining walls, make sure to think about drainage too. You could drill some holes in your current wall to relieve pressure, but also look at creating a more gradual slope or even using plants for stabilization. If you go with a concrete bag wall, just ensure you're stepping them properly to allow for drainage — that's crucial!
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely consider the drainage aspect — it sounds like a key part of any solution.
Yeah, concrete bag walls are versatile and generally cheaper if you can DIY. I've seen them hold up well in other applications, so that could be a viable route!