Are you looking for a solution to your sloping garden or lawn? It’s time to consider a retaining wall. Retaining walls are an efficient, reliable way of altering the shape of your outdoor space and creating extra levels. That’s why knowing how to push back a retaining wall can be incredibly useful!
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything from the materials used in construction, instruction on safe implementation of safety measures when building the wall, and provide some troubleshooting tips if difficulties arise during installation.
Whether you have years of experience with masonry work or are starting from scratch, our guide will help equip you with all that is necessary for your retaining wall project! Read on as we dig into how exactly one should go about pushing back a retaining wall.
What Is the Best Material to Backfill a Retaining Wall?
Backfilling a retaining wall is an important part of the installation process, as it helps to provide stability and support for the wall. The best material to backfill a retaining wall depends on several factors, including the type of wall being constructed, the local climate and soil conditions, and budget considerations. Here are some popular options:
Gravel:
Gravel is a popular choice for backfilling retaining walls since it drains well and provides good support. However, it can shift over time, so additional measures may be needed to ensure stability.
Sand:
Sand is another common material used for backfilling retaining walls. It’s easy to work with and provides excellent drainage. However, it doesn’t offer much support for the wall, so additional measures may be necessary to ensure stability.
Organic Material:
Organic material such as compost and mulch is also used for backfilling retaining walls. This material is lightweight and drains well, but it can break down over time, requiring regular replenishment.
Soil:
Soil is an economical choice for backfilling retaining walls, but it can be difficult to work with and requires additional measures to ensure stability.
Concrete:
Concrete is a good option for backfilling retaining walls since it provides excellent support and drainage. However, it’s more expensive than other materials and can be difficult to install.
The best material for backfilling a retaining wall ultimately depends on your local climate, soil conditions, budget considerations, and the type of wall being constructed.
Consult a professional if you’re unsure which option is right for your project. With the right backfill material in place, your retaining wall will be stable, secure, and ready for the years ahead.
9 Methods on How to Push Back a Retaining Wall
1. Excavate the Area
The first step to push back a retaining wall is to excavate the area behind the wall. This will give you room to work and will also help to loosen the soil so that the wall can be pushed back more easily.
Make sure to use caution when excavating and ensure that the area is clear of any debris or other obstructions before proceeding. Although excavating can be labor-intensive, it is an important part of the process.
2. Use a Jackhammer
If the wall is made of concrete, you will need to use a jackhammer to break it up into smaller pieces. Once the concrete is broken up, it will be much easier to push the wall back. While using a jackhammer can be dangerous, it is the most effective way of breaking up and pushing back a retaining wall.
When using a jackhammer, make sure you wear the necessary safety equipment, including a face shield and heavy-duty gloves. Additionally, be sure to use ear protection as jackhammers can be very loud. Start by chipping away at the edge of the wall and make your way inward. Be sure to take breaks often.
Once the wall is sufficiently broken up, you can begin pushing it back.
3. Use a Sledgehammer
If the wall is made of stone, you will need to use a sledgehammer to break it up into smaller pieces. Once the stone is broken up, it will be much easier to push the wall back. Make sure to wear protective gear, such as a hard hat and safety glasses, when using the sledgehammer.
Work carefully and slowly to ensure that you don’t accidentally cause any damage to the wall or injure yourself.
4. Use a Lever
If the wall is too heavy to push back by hand, you can use a lever to help you. Place the lever under the wall and then push down on the other end to lift the wall up and move it back. Make sure that you have enough leverage to move the wall, or else it will not budge. If your lever is too short, you may need to use bricks or other heavy objects to extend the length.
Once you have enough leverage, slowly push the wall back until it is in place. Be sure to use caution and move the wall back slowly so that it does not shift and cause damage. Also, be sure to wear gloves when you are handling the lever, as it can be quite sharp. Using a lever is a great way to move a heavy retaining wall without breaking your back.
With a little bit of effort, you can easily move your retaining wall back into its original place.
5. Use Pulleys
If you have access to pulleys, you can use them to help move the retaining wall back. Attach one end of a rope to the wall and then run the other end through the pulleys. Have someone else pull on the rope while you push on the wall to help move it back.
This technique is best used with smaller retaining walls or when you have access to a number of people who can help. Make sure that the rope is taut and that you are pushing the wall, not just pulling on it.
This technique can be dangerous if it is done incorrectly, so make sure to use safety equipment and have someone who knows what they’re doing supervising.
6. Use Gravity
One of the simplest ways to push back a retaining wall is to use gravity. To do this, simply dig out a trench behind the wall and then let gravity do its work by pulling the wall down into the trench. This method works best for retaining walls built on a flat surface and with relatively light materials.
If the wall has been constructed using heavy materials, then other methods may be more suitable. Once the wall has been pushed back to its intended position, fill in the trench behind it with soil and compact it down firmly to ensure stability.
7. Use Water Pressure
If there is a water source nearby, you can use water pressure to help push back the retaining wall. Attach a hose to a faucet and then turn on the water full blast. Aim the hose at the base of the wall and let the water pressure do its work in pushing against the wall and moving it back.
This is a slow process and may take several hours or even days.
Be sure to have protection in the form of safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from debris that may be flying around.
8. Use Sandbags
If you have access to sandbags, you can use them to help push back a retaining wall. Simply place sandbags behind the wall and then push against them with all your might until the wall starts to move backward. The sandbags will act as an amovable foundation that will help support the weight of the wall as you push it backward.
9. Use a Dolly
If you have access to a dolly, this can be an effective way of pushing back a retaining wall. Place the dolly behind the wall and then push on it with all your might to help move the wall back. Make sure that it is properly secured before attempting to move the wall.
If the dolly isn’t able to handle the weight of the wall, consider using a platform lift to help move the wall.
Additionally, if you are having difficulty pushing it back with the dolly, try adding some additional weight to the dolly so that it can move more easily. With some patience and effort, a dolly can be a great way to successfully push back a retaining wall.
Conclusion
Retaining walls are built for a variety of reasons, but their primary purpose is to hold back the soil. Over time, though, retaining walls can begin to lean or even collapse if they’re not properly maintained. If you have a retaining wall on your property that appears to be leaning, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem yourself.
In some cases, however, it may be necessary to call in a professional. Either way, taking care of a leaning retaining wall as soon as possible is important to prevent further damage to your property. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to push back a retaining wall! We hope you found it helpful and informative.