Never Use a Landscaping Company to Build a Retaining Wall

Eight years ago we purchased a home a few miles north of Atlanta in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Sandy Springs is named for the sandy ground and bubbling springs. Few people appreciate these land features until it is too late. The home came with a crosstie timber retaining wall. Truth is, we didn’t notice the retaining wall when we looked at the property.

Just over six years ago the crossties began to separate and water would flood through it during rainfall. Three retaining wall companies priced the crosstie retaining wall replacement project in the twenty to twenty five thousand-dollar range.

Our landscaper said he could replace the retaining wall with allan block for about fifteen thousand dollars. I was happy to give him the business because he was very courteous to my family and had always performed well on our lawn. Big mistake!

The wall began having problems two months after the project was complete. During heavy rains water leaked through the perforated block. Stains are visible where the water penetrated the wall. The blocks began to sink into the sandy ground and large cracks formed along the curves.

The site has been very helpful, wish I’d found it sooner. We have hired one the retaining wall companies listed on your site and will send a review next year.