Your retaining wall does a lot more than just look good in the backyard; it keeps your landscape in check, stops soil erosion, and helps you make the most of sloped or uneven land. But like any structure, it can start showing signs of stress over time, especially with Perth’s shifting sandy soil and wild weather.

Here’s how to spot the early signs of retaining wall distress, and what you can do about them before things get out of hand.

5 Warning Signs Your Retaining Walls in Strife

1. Your Wall’s Bulging or Leaning

Noticed your wall starting to bow out or tilt backwards? That’s a big red flag. It usually means there’s too much pressure building up behind the wall, most often from soggy soil or poor drainage.

Why it happens: If water can’t escape from behind your wall, it builds up pressure (called hydrostatic pressure) that pushes on the structure. Over time, this can make your wall lean or collapse altogether.

What to do: Don’t muck around, call in the pros. Depending on how bad it is, your wall might need reinforcement, drainage upgrades, or a full rebuild.

2. You’re Seeing Cracks

Small hairline cracks? Might not be too serious. But if you’re seeing long vertical cracks, horizontal ones, or stepped cracks through bricks or blocks, it could mean your wall’s under stress.

Why it happens: Soil movement, dodgy construction, or shifting foundations can all cause cracks to form and widen over time.

What to do: Keep an eye on small cracks and seal them to stop water getting in. If they’re getting worse or you’re unsure, get a retaining wall expert to check it out before it gets worse.

3. Water’s Pooling or Hanging Around

After a bit of rain, you shouldn’t see puddles sitting at the base of your wall or damp patches that hang around. That’s a sign of poor drainage, and it’s not something to ignore.

Why it happens: Weep holes might be blocked (or missing altogether), or your backfill might not be letting water drain properly.

What to do: Make sure water’s got somewhere to go. Installing ag pipes, gravel backfill, and proper drainage will take the pressure off your wall and extend its life.

4. Soil’s Washing Away or You’ve Got Sinkholes

Noticed dirt disappearing, bare patches near the base of the wall, or small sinkholes forming? That’s erosion in action.

Why it happens: Heavy rain, poor drainage, or a wall built without proper compaction can let water wash away soil and leave the structure vulnerable.

What to do: You’ll need to shore up the base with compacted soil or gravel and consider reshaping the land or adding swales to help water run off safely.

5. Loose or Wobbly Wall Materials

Are the blocks shifting? Is the mortar crumbling or the top caps falling off? These signs point to wear and tear, especially in older walls.

Why it happens: Exposure to sun, wind, water, and years of use can loosen things up over time, especially if the wall wasn’t built properly to begin with.

What to do: Replace or repair loose sections straight away. If your wall’s really had its day, it might be time to upgrade to a new, more durable structure.

How to Keep Your Wall in Good Nick

Do a regular check-up – Especially after storms or heavy rain.
Clear the weep holes – Make sure water can escape.
Watch where you plant – Avoid trees or big shrubs too close to the wall.
Don’t load it up – Keep heavy gear, sheds, or vehicles away from the top edge.

A bit of TLC (tender loving care) goes a long way in keeping your retaining wall solid for years to come.