Factors Affecting Retaining Wall Repair Cost
The cost of repairing a retaining wall will depend on a number of factors. Before we land on a quote, we will need to assess the following conditions:
Material of Retaining Walls
The most common materials used to build retaining walls are stone, brick, cinder blocks, concrete, steel, aggregate, railroad ties (wood), and vinyl. These materials vary drastically in terms of cost, so the original material of your retaining wall will affect the cost of the repair project.
A brick or stone retaining wall will cost more to repair than other materials such as vinyl or railroad ties. The cost to repair a concrete, aggregate, steel, or cinder block retaining wall will lie somewhere in the middle ground.
Type of Retaining Wall
There are a number of different types of retaining walls that will affect the type and price of the solution on offer. These include:
– Using their own gravitational force, gravity retaining walls are heavy concrete, brick, or stone retaining walls that have a sloped face and are wider at the base in order to support both their own weight and lateral forces.
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- Cantilever retaining wall
– These retaining walls are made from reinforced concrete, with an L-shaped or T-shaped foundation that supports lateral forces.
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- Sheet piling retaining wall
– Most commonly used around bodies of water, this type of retaining wall is made of piled stone and is often used for temporary structures.
Sheet piling requires no ground excavation, which may help keep the cost down. The cost of a retaining wall repair will vary depending on the type of wall you have combined with the specific landscaping requirements of your property.
Type of Soil
The type of soil surrounding your retaining wall can affect the price of your repair project. Expansive soils (clay soils that expand and shrink with water) may need to be removed and replaced, driving up the cost of your project. Overgrown tree roots may also need excavation, requiring additional equipment and labor that will impact the cost of the retaining wall repair project.
Extent of Damage
One of the main factors that will affect the cost of a repair project is the extent of the damage. Naturally, the amount of work needed to repair a retaining wall will depend on how bad the damage is. The bigger the damage, the higher the cost will rise due to the additional materials and labor required. For example, minor cracks will cost much less to repair than buckling or leaning.
Type of Solution
The extent of the damage goes hand in hand with the type of solution needed to repair a retaining wall, and this again impacts the cost of the project. For example, a few weep holes will cost less than adding helical anchors, and a simple reinforcement solution will cost less than a full rebuild.
Location
Your zip code may also affect the price of the project. Consider the fact that retaining wall repair may involve the use of heavy machinery and the transportation of heavy and bulky materials. If repair contractors have to travel a long distance to work on your retaining walls, the cost of the project will increase significantly. It pays to find a contractor in your zip code, as you will be able to reduce journey times and the whole project will be more cost-efficient.