Water is the enemy of a retaining wall, and drainage is what keeps the wall from bulging or failing. A wall without a drain builds up hydrostatic pressure until something gives.
The pressure
Rain soaks the soil behind the wall, and the trapped water pushes against it with enormous force. Drainage relieves that pressure.
The drain pipe
A perforated drain at the base of the wall collects the water and carries it to an outlet, so it never builds up behind the blocks.
The gravel
Clean gravel behind the wall lets the water fall to the drain instead of pooling in the soil, and a filter fabric keeps the gravel clean.
The weep holes
Small weep holes in the wall face let trapped water escape and are a visible sign of a drained wall. hard water is common, and summer heat and shifting soils put pressure on underground lines In Waco, they are part of any well-built wall.
The call
Protect the wall with proper drainage. Call 888-217-3585 and Waco Plumbing Helpers will match you with a Waco pro.
Plumbing in Waco: what to know
In Waco, hard water is common, and summer heat and shifting soils put pressure on underground lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across McLennan County — from Woodway, Bellmead and Lacy Lakeview to ZIP codes like 76710, 76707, 76701 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Waco?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Waco Plumbing Helpers will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Waco.