Block wall and retaining wall repair
A wall that's moving won't fix itself. Get it assessed before a small repair turns into a full rebuild.
Wall repair fixes a block wall or retaining wall that has started to lean, crack, separate or wash out, or replaces it when repair isn't practical. Around St. George, common calls are older block walls with stair-step cracks, retaining walls that have leaned after a storm, walls damaged by a vehicle, and walls with white mineral deposits on the face. A mason works out why the wall is moving and whether it can be repaired in place.
What are the warning signs of a failing wall?
- The wall leaning or out of plumb
- Stair-step cracks along the mortar joints
- Vertical cracks that keep getting wider
- The wall separating from a house, pilaster or neighbor's wall
- Soil washing out from under the footing
- Water seeping through, or white crust building up on the face
- Cracks in the patio, pool deck or driveway above a retaining wall
If a wall is leaning noticeably or holds up a driveway, pool deck or structure, keep people, pets and vehicles away from both sides until it's been looked at.
Why do walls fail here?
- Water. Monsoon storms, irrigation leaks and runoff saturate the soil behind and under walls.
- Moving soils. The Utah Geological Survey maps collapsible, expansive and gypsum-bearing soils across the St. George area. They can settle, swell or dissolve when they get wet, which moves a footing.
- Missing steel or grout. Hollow block used where the wall needed to be reinforced.
- Added load. A raised wall, new pool, RV pad or fill placed behind an old wall.
- Impact. Vehicles and equipment hitting a wall.
What are the white deposits on my block wall?
White, powdery or crusty deposits are usually efflorescence: salts carried through the block by water and left behind when it evaporates. Southern Utah's dry air makes it common. The salts themselves are mostly cosmetic, but they mean water is moving through the wall, often from sprinklers, soil against the wall, or missing drainage on a retaining wall. A mason can clean the face and help find the water source so it doesn't keep coming back.
Repair or replace?
Cracked sections, damaged caps and impact damage can often be cut out and relaid. Walls that are leaning along their whole length, walls with no footing or steel, and retaining walls that were undersized for the load usually need to come down and be rebuilt, sometimes with engineering. A rebuild is also the chance to add drainage and fix whatever water problem caused the failure.
What affects the cost of a repair?
- How much of the wall is affected. One section versus the whole run.
- Why it failed. Fixing drainage or the footing means more digging.
- Matching block and color. Older or discontinued block can be hard to match.
- Demolition and hauling. Taking down and removing the failed wall.
- Engineering and permits. Often needed when rebuilding taller retaining walls.
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 block wall be straightened?
Rarely for long. Pushing a wall back without fixing the footing, steel or drainage usually doesn't hold. Leaning sections are normally taken down and rebuilt.
Is a cracked block wall dangerous?
Hairline cracks are often cosmetic. Cracks that keep widening, or a wall that's leaning, can be a safety issue. Keep people and vehicles clear and have it assessed.
Will my insurance cover a block wall hit by a car?
Often the driver's auto insurance or your homeowner's policy will, but coverage varies. Get a written repair estimate and check with your insurer.
Related services
More background: St. George retaining wall and block wall guide.
Block wall leaning or cracking?
A wall that's moving can fall without much warning. Keep kids, pets and cars clear and call to get it looked at.