Water coming through block retaining wall

[Jim Stabe]

I have a large retaining wall that must not have been waterproofed on the backside by the previous owner. Water was seeping through and bubbled the stucco. I had a guy come out a year ago and he scraped the loose sections and applied a white stucco looking product which seems to be keeping the water from coming through. Does anyone know what this product might be since I have some additional repair areas to do after some construction? Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[jhelrey]

Retaining wall, or a foundation wall? Because if it is a retaining wall in your yard, it is okay.

 

[Jim Stabe]

Retaining wall, or a foundation wall? Because if it is a retaining wall in your yard, it is okay.

It's a retaining wall in the yard but it's not OK to have the stucco falling off, looks bad.

 

[GreyOwl]

It's a retaining wall in the yard but it's not OK to have the stucco falling off, looks bad.

Maybe it should have some weep holes drilled in it to drain the water or dig up the other side and install a perforated pipe to drain the water.

Charles

 

[wuck]

It's a retaining wall in the yard but it's not OK to have the stucco falling off, looks bad.

Drain holes or perf pipe would work fine, but I gotta ask - San Diego? Probably not rain water pouring out of there. I'm guessing here, but it looks like maybe a zero lot line with your neighbor? Maybe a leaking pipe, or they need some drainage around their swimming pool to take care of the problem.

Pat

 

[wssix99]

Maybe it should have some weep holes drilled in it to drain the water or dig up the other side and install a perforated pipe to drain the water.

Charles

Yes! Retaining walls must be engineered to relieve the water pressure behind them. Otherwise (from a structural perspective) you have an above ground swimming pool instead of a wall holding back dirt.

I'll bet your original weep holes are plugged up or filled in. Unless you can restore the drainage, the water will just keep coming through where you don't want it.