TL;DR
- Hydrostatic pressure causes 90% of wall failures
- 4-inch perforated drain pipe behind every wall
- 12-inch minimum gravel backfill zone
- Geotextile fabric separates soil from gravel
The #1 reason retaining walls fail in Maryland isn't material — it's drainage. When water builds up behind a wall, hydrostatic pressure pushes it forward until it leans, cracks, or collapses. A.R. Curb Appeal builds drainage into every retaining wall as a non-negotiable.
Drainage Components We Install on Every Wall
- 4-inch perforated PVC drain pipe at base, daylighted to grade
- 12 inches of clean #57 stone backfill behind wall
- Non-woven geotextile fabric separating gravel from soil
- Weep holes through wall face on stacked stone designs
- Cap and surface drainage to direct water away from wall
Signs Your Existing Wall Has Drainage Problems
- Wall leaning forward or bulging
- Visible wet spots on or below wall
- Soil washing through gaps
- Cracks along wall face after heavy rain
Wall leaning or failing? Free assessment from A.R. Curb Appeal.
Call (410) 982-2201 or request a free written estimate online.
Written by the team at A.R. Curb Appeal LLC — MHIC #150581, serving Baltimore County & Harford County, MD. Call (410) 982-2201 for a free estimate.