Every retaining wall should include drainage stone behind the wall. Though it is a good idea to install a drainage pipe on all walls, there are certain situations where a perforated drain pipe is absolutely necessary.

Do I need weep holes in retaining wall?

Install (or Add) Weep Holes



They protect the structural integrity by allowing underground water to seep through, preventing pressure build-up. Every retaining wall should have them.

How do you drain behind a retaining wall?






Quote from Youtube video: Points are usually every 30 to 50 feet you should have about a 1% fall and the pipe.

Why weep holes are provided in the retaining walls to?

in civil engineering weep Holes is provided in retaining wall structures to relieve hydrostatic pressure or water pressure on the walls. Reducing the water pressure on the retaining walls will reduce the structural design demand of the water.

What retaining wall does not need drainage?

Stackable retaining block walls with gravel or sand backfills don’t typically have drainage issues, since water seeps down through the backfill and drains out between the individual blocks.

Where are weep holes required?

Weep holes are typically found in outer masonry of cavity walls. They can also be found above windows and doors in cavity walls. They are provided at regular intervals to permit escape of moisture. The recommended distance between weep holes is 450 mm.

Why is a proper drainage system behind a retaining wall so important?





Retaining wall drainage is critical. It ensures water does not collect behind the wall, causing it to fail. A quality drainage system collects and redirects rainwater away from the wall. It decreases pressure on the soil around the foundation and within the wall itself, reducing erosion and settlement.

How do I stop water from coming in my retaining wall?

How to Prevent Water From Seeping Through Retaining Walls

  1. Apply LIquid Waterproofing Membrane. …
  2. Allow the Membrane to Cure. …
  3. Measure the Retaining Wall’s Length. …
  4. Add a Layer of Gravel. …
  5. Position the Perforated Pipe. …
  6. Connect Drainage Pipes. …
  7. Cover the Pipe With Gravel. …
  8. Cover With Dirt.


How many weep holes are in a retaining wall?

On an exterior retaining wall, weep holes can be located every 4 to 8 feet, depending on the extent of the water buildup and seepage. If the wall is fairly short and the ground behind it does not remain damp long after a rainfall, holes every 8 feet may prove sufficient.

How do you put weep holes in a retaining wall?



Coring Weep Holes



For walls built out of cinder blocks, line the weep holes up with the grout lines to ensure rebar is avoided. Use a core drill* to core 2″ diameter holes in the locations that you have marked. To penetrate the full thickness of the retaining wall, use a wet concrete diamond drill bit*.

When did weep holes become code?

Even if you used the code as a basis of the requirement for weep holes, you would be surprised to learn that weep holes were nor mandated in the single family code until 1983 CABO, mandated by the 1985 Kentucky Building Code. Home inspectors are calling out missing weep holed on house built before 1985.

Can water come in through weep holes?

This research demonstrated that even under truly extraordinary conditions water rarely enters the weephole and even if it does it cannot be blown high enough up in the cavity to create internal damp problems.

Can bugs get in through weep holes?



This means any pest entering a weep hole can spread to any part of your home. It’s obvious that small pests such as cockroaches and spiders can crawl through weep holes, but vertebrate pests such as lizards, snakes and even mice can also squeeze through a normal weep hole.

Can you install weep holes?

Weep holes should be installed in the masonry head joints above all flashing courses. This includes the base of the wall, above all window and door lintels, and above shelf angles. Anywhere the cavity is interrupted, you must install flashing and weeps.