Retaining Wall Repair in Coeur d'Alene & Post Falls

Retaining wall repair fixes a wall that has started to lean, bulge, crack or wash out, or replaces it when repair isn't practical. Around Coeur d'Alene, many failing walls are old timber walls, dry-stacked rock, or block walls built without enough drainage. A builder assesses why the wall is moving and whether it can be rebuilt in place or needs a new design.

What are the warning signs of a failing wall?

The wall leaning forward or out of plumb
A bulge partway up the face
Cracks, separated joints or blocks sliding out
Soil washing out from under or through the wall
Water pooling behind the wall, or seeping through it
Rotting timbers or tie-backs
New cracks in a driveway or patio above the wall

If the wall is moving quickly or supports a driveway, parking area or structure, keep people and vehicles away from both the top and the base until it's been looked at.

Why do retaining walls fail here?

Water pressure. Snowmelt and spring rain saturate soil behind walls with no drainage.
Frost. Freeze-thaw cycles heave walls built on poor or shallow bases.
Missing reinforcement. Taller walls built without geogrid or engineering.
Surcharge. A driveway, vehicle, shed or new structure added above the wall.
Age. Timber walls rot, and older dry-stacked walls loosen over time.

Repair or replace?

Small sections of a block wall can often be taken down and rebuilt with proper drainage and base. Walls that are failing along their whole length, timber walls with rot, and walls that were undersized for the load usually need replacement, sometimes with an engineered design. Replacement also gives you a chance to add drainage and fix the grading that caused the problem.

What affects the cost of a repair?

How much of the wall is affected. A section versus the whole run.
Why it failed. Adding drainage or geogrid means more excavation.
Demolition and hauling. Removing old timber, rock or block.
Engineering and permits. Often needed when rebuilding taller or surcharged walls.
Access. Working below a driveway or house takes extra care.

Prices come from the builder after they've seen the site. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point for a wall.

Where we connect you with help

Common questions

Can a leaning retaining wall be straightened?

Small block walls can often be taken down and rebuilt in place with proper drainage and base. Pushing a leaning wall back without fixing the cause rarely lasts.

Is a leaning wall dangerous?

It can be, especially if it holds up a driveway, parking area or structure. Keep people and vehicles clear of the top and base until a builder or engineer has assessed it.

Should I replace a timber retaining wall with block?

Often, yes. Timber walls rot over time, and replacement is a chance to add drainage and reinforcement. Ask the builder to compare block, boulder and concrete for your site.

Related services

More background: Kootenai County retaining wall guide.

Retaining wall repair and replacement