For proper drainage, the first 12 inches of space behind a retaining wall should be filled with crushed stone or gravel. This is so that when water gets into the space, it does not become bogged down in soil but instead can flow down the wall to the drains or weep holes.

How do you put drainage in a retaining wall?

For proper drainage, the first 12 inches of space behind a retaining wall should be filled with crushed stone or gravel. This is so that when water gets into the space, it does not become bogged down in soil but instead can flow down the wall to the drains or weep holes.

Should a retaining wall have drainage?

Retaining wall drainage is critical. It ensures water does not collect behind the wall, causing it to fail. A quality drainage system collects and redirects rainwater away from the wall. It decreases pressure on the soil around the foundation and within the wall itself, reducing erosion and settlement.

Do I need drainage for a small retaining wall?

These walls need a drainage system regardless of the wall height. If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.

Do I need a French drain behind a retaining wall?

If you’re building a retaining wall, add a French drain behind the first course of stones or blocks. Otherwise, water moving down the hill will build up behind the wall and undermine it. The pipe should rest on the same compacted gravel base or concrete footing that supports the wall.

Can I drill drainage holes in retaining wall?

Install (or Add) Weep Holes Every retaining wall should have them. And yes, you can add them retroactively — drill them into an existing concrete, stone or brick wall using a core drill and drill bit, which you can often rent at your local hardware or DIY home improvement center.

Should a retaining wall have weep holes?

A retaining wall is like an impervious surface, requiring a drainage hole to let the water through. If you have an eroding slope on your property and you’re thinking of building a retaining wall, keep in mind that there’s a lot more involved than putting up the wall itself.

Should I put weep holes in retaining wall?

Weep holes allow water to escape from behind the wall. These holes should be regularly spaced in the horizontal direction. Retaining walls with a height greater than a few feet should also have weep holes that are regularly spaced in the vertical direction, forming a grid pattern.

How do you build a retaining wall to hold back dirt?

Here are three key principles in building any solid retaining wall:

  1. Bury the bottom course, or courses, of the retaining wall one tenth the height of the wall to prevent the soil behind from pushing the bottom out.
  2. Step back the blocks, rocks or timbers to get gravity working in your favor.

Will a retaining wall hold back water?

A retaining wall is used for supporting soil mass laterally so the soil can be retained at different levels on two sides. Their designs allow for them to retain water and runoff at a slope that wouldn’t naturally occur.

How to properly add drainage to your retaining wall?

Drainage Stone. All walls should include drainage stone,even if they don’t require a drain pipe.

  • Filter Fabric. Place filter fabric*or landscape fabric above the drainage stone and below the topsoil.
  • Perforated Drainage Pipe. The perforated pipe*should be slotted all around the pipe.
  • Pipe Outlet.

    • Do I need a drain pipe for my retaining wall?

    When you are installing the landscaped earth, which the retaining wall is designed to hold up, you should fit in some PVC pipes. These will allow water to drain out of the earth, and prevent your soil from getting waterlogged and excessively heavy. No Stones Behind the Wall. When you are constructing the wall, add a layer of loose rocks and stones between the earth and the wall. This will help provide drainage, particularly during heavy rains.

    Do I need drainage behind my retaining wall?

    Yes, which means you need backfill too. This backfill is the soil that’s located in the first 12 inches of space right behind the retaining wall in order to have proper drainage, and it can be either gravel or crushed stone.

    Do I need a French drain for a retaining wall?

    If your retaining wall is on a hillside or slope, you’ll want to install a French drain behind the first course of the wall to keep water from building up at the bottom or running toward your house. Ready to Talk About A French Drain for Your Home? Call the experts at Total Home Performance.