Many retaining wall problems are visible from your yard. The clearest signs your retaining wall is failing are a lean in one direction, stair-step cracks in cinder block, diagonal or horizontal cracks in poured concrete, and a wall breaking away from the house.
These signs usually mean the wall is moving inward or settling. The cause depends on your house, the wall type, and its age.
Visible Signs My Retaining Wall Is Failing
A lot of the time, you can spot a failing retaining wall just by looking at it. Two of the clearest visual signs involve how the wall stands and how it meets your home.
A Noticeable Lean in One Direction
A retaining wall leaning one way or the other is one of the most visible signs of failure. If the wall no longer stands straight, it has moved.
A Wall Breaking Away From the House
If a retaining wall is breaking away from your house, there could be settling going on. When settling is the cause, our foundation repair services can help.
Pro Tip: When you walk your property, check two things. Look at whether the wall is leaning one way or the other, and whether it is pulling away from the house.
What Cracks Reveal About Retaining Wall Movement
The type of crack to look for depends on how the wall was built. Cinder block walls and poured concrete walls show movement in different ways.
Stair-Step Cracks in Cinder Block Walls
In a cinder block retaining wall, a crack that runs across the wall in a stair-step pattern is a warning sign. This type of crack tends to mean the wall is moving inward.
Diagonal or Horizontal Cracks in Poured Concrete Walls
In a poured concrete retaining wall, look for a diagonal or horizontal crack running across the wall. Like stair-step cracks in block, this type of crack tends to mean the wall is moving inward. If you find either crack pattern, our wall crack repair team can take a look.
| Wall Type | Crack Pattern to Watch For | What It Tends to Indicate |
| Cinder block | Stair-step cracks | The wall is moving inward |
| Poured concrete | Diagonal or horizontal cracks running across | The wall is moving inward |
Key Takeaway: Match the crack to the wall. Stair-step cracks are the warning sign in cinder block walls. Diagonal or horizontal cracks are the warning sign in poured concrete walls. Both tend to mean the wall is moving inward.
Need expert help with your retaining wall? Contact Olson Foundation Repair for a free consultation and let our team assess what your wall is telling you.
Why Every Failing Retaining Wall Needs a Closer Look
The signs above show that a wall is moving. The reason behind that movement takes a closer look.
Wall Type, Age, and Your Home All Play a Part
What causes a retaining wall to fail depends on the house, the type of wall, and the age of the wall. A cinder block wall and a poured concrete wall, for example, show different crack patterns when they move.
Why Signs Your Retaining Wall Is Failing Call for a Professional Assessment
Because the cause depends on several factors, a lean, a crack, or a gap is reason enough to have the wall checked. Our team can look at your wall with those factors in mind. To see what that process covers, read our post on what a foundation inspection involves.
Pro Tip: Note what type of wall you have and roughly how old it is. Both details affect what is causing the movement.
Protect Your Property Before the Wall Moves Further
A failing retaining wall often shows visible signs. Knowing what to look for helps you act.
What to Remember
- Leaning: A wall leaning one way or the other has moved.
- Stair-step cracks: In cinder block walls, these tend to mean inward movement.
- Diagonal or horizontal cracks: In poured concrete walls, these tend to mean inward movement.
- Separation: A wall breaking away from the house may signal settling.
Talk to Our Team Today
Olson Foundation Repair can inspect your wall and explain what is causing the movement. Schedule your free consultation with our team today if you notice any of the signs your retaining wall is failing.
