How to Repair and Reinforce Retaining Walls in Racine, WI
If you have a retaining all that’s more than three feet tall, it’s critical you do whatever you can to reinforce it. That’s because after the wall gets to be at least that tall, it becomes more difficult for the wall to withstand the pressure of the earth located behind it.
Fortunately, the process of reinforcing a retaining wall is relatively easy with the use of rebar and metal ties. Here’s a quick overview of the steps you need to take to reinforce retaining walls in Racine, WI.
Determine where the piers will be located
As you build up your stone retaining walls, there are several rules you must follow to be able to provide the wall with the proper amount of strength. A lot of the reinforcement you do will actually happen underground, where you will place cement piers in three-foot intervals along the entire length of your retaining wall. Those piers should also be put along corners of the wall. So, before you actually do any work on the wall, it’s important to determine where you’ll place those piers, and mark the ground where you’ll install them.
Dig out your footings
You’ll also need to create a concrete footing on top of which the stone retaining wall will be built. This footing, as a general rule, should be as deep as the wall is tall to make sure you provide enough support. There should also be an L shape to these footings, with the bottom part going underneath the wall. So, for example, a three-foot wall would have a footing that is a foot thick and two feet below the ground, while also being a foot wide with another foot under the wall.
Pour the concrete and install rebar
Once you’ve managed to dig out your footings, it’s time to pour the concrete into them. While doing so, set the rebar on the ground and raise it up about eight inches, then prepare the concrete according to your instructions and pour it into the footings, allowing it to dry there.
Pour the piers
After you’ve finished working on the footings, you can begin working on the piers. These holes get filled with concrete and rebar and provide the reinforcing support you need with your wall.
Install your metal ties
The final step you must take when reinforcing your retaining wall is to install metal ties, if the wall is more than three feet tall. These ties exist to help hold the wall together and ensure its structural integrity. The specifications for these metal ties will be included in any building permit you take out to build the wall in the first place. First, though, you’ll be required to use flat metal ties in three-foot intervals along the length and height of the retaining wall. By placing this reinforcement on your retaining wall, you’ll find the wall will remain in excellent shape without crumbling or shifting for many years to come.
For more information about the best ways to strengthen and preserve your retaining walls in Racine, WI, contact Langenfeld Masonry & Concrete today.
Categorised in: Retaining Walls