Retaining Wall Drainage FAQ
Retaining Wall Drainage FAQs — Why Drainage Decides Wall Life
Improper drainage is the #1 cause of retaining wall failure across the NC/GA/TN mountains. When water builds up behind a wall, hydrostatic pressure increases dramatically — a 4-foot wall with saturated backfill can carry the equivalent of an additional 1,000+ pounds per linear foot of lateral force. Engineered drainage — drain rock, geotextile fabric, perforated drain tile, daylighted outlets, and properly graded backfill — is what separates an engineered wall from a stacked-block wall that bulges, leans, or fails after the first wet winter. Engineered Retaining Walls® engineers drainage on every wall we build across Western North Carolina, North Georgia, and East Tennessee. Below are the most common drainage questions we get from homeowners, builders, and inspectors.