Retaining Wall Repair Solutions

Stop retaining wall failure before it becomes a collapse. Our steel pier systems and Carbon Fiber reinforcement stabilize and repair failing retaining walls, restoring structural integrity and protecting your property.
retaining wall

A failing retaining wall can go from a concern to a crisis faster than most homeowners expect. Retaining walls hold back enormous amounts of soil pressure, and when they start to lean, crack, or bow inward, that pressure doesn’t let up. It keeps pushing until the wall either stabilizes or gives way.

In BC’s Lower Mainland, including hillside properties in Port Moody and Anmore, retaining wall problems are particularly common because of our climate and terrain. Heavy seasonal rainfall saturates the soil behind walls, dramatically increasing the lateral pressure. Clay soils expand when wet, pushing even harder against the wall face. And many older retaining walls were built without proper drainage or reinforcement, leaving them vulnerable to the forces our climate throws at them.

Signs that retaining wall failure is affecting your foundation often start subtly. A slight lean that wasn’t there before. Horizontal cracks in the wall face. The wall face bowing inward in the middle while the top and bottom stay relatively straight. Soil or water seeping through new cracks. These are all indications that the wall is being overwhelmed by the forces it was designed to resist.

Our repair approach depends on the type and severity of the failure. For walls that are leaning or rotating, Ram Jack helical anchors or tiebacks are installed through the wall and screwed into stable soil behind the failure zone. These anchors effectively hold the wall in place against the lateral soil pressure. For walls showing structural cracking without significant movement, Carbon Fiber reinforcement bonds to the wall surface and adds tremendous tensile strength, preventing cracks from growing further.

In some cases, we use both systems together: anchors to resist the ongoing soil pressure and carbon fiber to reinforce the wall face. This combination addresses both the cause and the damage, providing a comprehensive repair that’s designed to last.

Retaining wall repairs are time-sensitive because the forces involved are constant and often increasing. Delaying repair means the wall continues to deteriorate, and what might have been a straightforward repair can become a full wall replacement if left too long.

Signs You Need This Service

Watch for these warning signs that indicate you may need professional foundation support:

Wall leaning or tilting outward

When a retaining wall starts to lean away from the soil it's holding back, the lateral pressure has exceeded the wall's resistance. Even a slight lean means the forces are winning, and the lean will accelerate over time without intervention.

Horizontal cracking in the wall face

Horizontal cracks along the wall indicate the soil pressure is causing the wall to bow inward. This is a serious structural symptom because it means the wall is being flexed beyond its capacity. Horizontal cracks are more concerning than vertical ones for retaining walls.

Wall bowing inward at the centre

A retaining wall that appears to bulge inward in the middle while the top and bottom stay relatively straight is experiencing classic pressure failure. The soil behind the wall is pushing hardest at the centre where the wall has the least resistance.

Soil or water seeping through cracks

When water or wet soil starts pushing through cracks in the wall, it means the drainage system behind the wall has failed or was never adequate. This water adds weight and pressure to the soil, making the wall failure worse.

Ground settling behind the wall

If the ground surface behind your retaining wall is sinking or pulling away from the wall, soil is migrating through cracks or the wall has moved enough to allow soil to fall behind it. This settlement will continue until the wall is stabilized.

Fence or structures on top of wall shifting

Fences, railings, or planters sitting on top of a retaining wall act as visible indicators of wall movement. If they're tilting, leaning, or pulling away from their original positions, the wall underneath has moved.

New cracks appearing in nearby structures

When a retaining wall starts to fail, the soil movement it allows can affect nearby foundations, driveways, and pathways. If you're seeing new cracks in structures near a retaining wall, the wall's failure may be the root cause.

Our Process

0

Wall and Site Assessment

We evaluate the wall's current condition, the type and extent of damage, soil conditions, drainage, and the forces acting on the wall. This assessment determines whether the wall can be repaired in place or if additional measures are needed.
1

Engineered Repair Design

A structural engineer designs the repair approach, specifying the anchor or tieback layout, carbon fibre reinforcement locations, and any drainage improvements required. The design accounts for the specific soil pressures and wall conditions on your property.
2

Anchor and Tieback Installation

Helical anchors are installed through the wall face and screwed into stable soil behind the failure zone. Each anchor is torque-verified to confirm it has sufficient holding capacity. The anchors counteract the lateral soil pressure that's pushing the wall.
3

Carbon Fiber Reinforcement

Where the wall face has cracked, Carbon Fiber straps are bonded to the surface using high-strength epoxy. The carbon fiber is 10 times stronger than steel and prevents cracks from expanding further. The finished surface is smooth and can be painted to match the existing wall.
4

Drainage and Finishing

If drainage improvements are part of the engineering plan, these are installed to reduce the water pressure behind the wall. The work area is restored, and you receive complete documentation of the repair including engineering sign-off and warranty information.

Systems & Solutions

Ram Jack® Helical Anchors (Tiebacks)

Helical anchors are installed horizontally or at a slight angle through the retaining wall and into stable soil beyond the failure zone. They work in tension, pulling against the soil pressure to keep the wall in place. Each anchor is torque-verified during installation and connected to the wall face with engineered bearing plates that distribute the load evenly.

Carbon Fiber Wall Reinforcement

Carbon fiber straps bonded to the wall surface with structural epoxy add enormous tensile strength to the concrete. This prevents existing cracks from growing and reinforces the wall against further bowing. The repair is installed from the front of the wall with no excavation behind it, and the finished surface is smooth, flat, and paintable. Suitable for both poured concrete and block (CMU) retaining walls.

Drainage Improvement Systems

Many retaining wall failures are caused or worsened by inadequate drainage. As part of the repair, we can install or upgrade the drainage system behind the wall to reduce hydrostatic pressure. Proper drainage significantly reduces the forces acting on the wall and extends the life of the repair.

Featured Projects

See how we've helped homeowners with similar foundation challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How urgent is a failing retaining wall?

Retaining wall repairs should be treated as a priority. Unlike many foundation issues that progress slowly over years, retaining walls can deteriorate rapidly because the soil pressure behind them is constant and often increasing. A wall showing signs of failure should be assessed promptly, especially before the wet season when increased water pressure accelerates the problem.

Can a retaining wall be repaired without replacing it?

In most cases, yes. Our approach uses helical anchors and carbon fibre reinforcement to restore the wall’s structural capacity without tearing it down and rebuilding. This is typically faster, less disruptive, and more cost-effective than full replacement. The only situations where replacement is necessary are when the wall has deteriorated beyond the point of repair.

What causes retaining walls to fail?

The most common causes in BC are excessive water pressure from poor drainage, clay soil expansion during wet seasons, inadequate original design or construction, tree root pressure, and surcharge loads (vehicles, structures, or soil added above the wall). Many older walls were built without proper drainage systems, which is the single biggest contributor to failure in our climate.

Do retaining wall repairs require permits?

It depends on the municipality and the scope of work. Significant structural repairs typically require a building permit, which we manage as part of the project. The permit process ensures the repair is inspected and documented, which protects you and adds value to the property.

How long do retaining wall repairs take?

Most retaining wall repairs are completed in three to seven days, depending on the wall length, the number of anchors required, and whether drainage work is included. Carbon fiber application adds relatively little time because the installation is straightforward and the curing is quick.

Will the repair be visible on the wall face?

Helical anchor bearing plates are visible on the wall face but can be painted to match the wall. Carbon Fiber straps are smooth and flat when cured, and they accept paint readily, so they blend in with the wall surface. Many homeowners choose to paint or parge the entire wall face after the repair for a uniform appearance.

What warranty covers retaining wall repairs?

Our retaining wall repairs come with a 20-year warranty on the anchor and pier systems. The Carbon Fiber reinforcement is designed to be permanent and maintenance-free. We provide complete documentation for your records, and the warranty is transferable if you sell the property.

Why Professional Support Matters

Band-aid approaches like patching cracks with mortar, adding soil behind the wall, or building a second wall in front of the failing one don’t address the forces causing the failure. The soil pressure continues, the wall keeps moving, and the temporary fix eventually gives way too. Engineered repairs with helical anchors and carbon fibre reinforcement directly counteract the forces that are causing the problem, providing a permanent solution backed by a 20-year warranty.

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