How to Prevent Landslides

While residents of Southern California enjoy about ~300 sunny days per year… California is also one of the most at-risk states for landslides. In fact, the Vice President of International Consortium on Landslides at the USGS, Peter Lyttle shared that while landslides can occur in all 50 states, “regions like the Appalachian Mountains, the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coastal Ranges have ‘severe landslide problems,’” listing California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii as especially prone.

Why? In general, landslides are more common where slopes are steep and surrounding rocks, soil and supporting natural structures are weak…. And unfortunately,these conditions are very common here in our native SoCal. Add in the fact the San Andreas fault runs the length of California and this tectonic boundary pushes up rocks that are too weak to support these slopes, and BAM — you’ve got all the makings of a landslide.

Common Causes of Landslides

Some of the leading factors that can cause residential landslides include:

Heavy rainfall or recurrent storm systems
Erosion from foot traffic or construction
Poor construction practices
Rapid temperature flux (e.g. freezing and thawing)
Natural disasters (e.g. earthquake shaking, and volcanic eruptions)
Brush/topsoil that’s been removed or lost to forest fire

How to Prevent Landslides At Home

There are lots of preventative measures you can take that can decrease your risks of property damage due to landslides. One of the most effective is to have a retaining wall installed. If you already have a retaining wall, you’re not off the hook. Older retaining walls can be the cause of landslides as well. Without proper upkeep they can cause drainage issues which can cause weight and pressure to build up and overflow.

The good news is, there are some relatively easy things you can do yourself to help prevent landslide damage:

Minimize foot traffic. Human use is typically the largest contributor to erosion and landslides. Over time, home projects and other routine activities can really wear down the natural slopes of your property. Make sure to regularly assess and shore up areas which may be prone to weakening.
Repurpose yard waste. Leaves or loose gravel can be used to create drainage on any slopes or earthen support structures.
Reroute stormwater. If you notice stormwater pooling or puddling, make sure to redirect this away from sloping areas or hillsides
Irrigate/install vegetation. While irrigation is good, make sure to avoid installing any irrigation systems, water sources, or pools near hillsides or sloped areas. Plant vegetation or use gravel on slopes or earthen structures that need extra support.

Use temporary landslide protection. Sandbags, plastic sheeting, tarps, and even burlap can be used to divert water from uncontrolled spilling and protect unstable areas.

When it's Time to Call in the Professionals

While all of the above can be incredibly helpful in preventing damage, often to really protect yourself from landslide damage you’ll need the help of a professional — especially if your property is situated around deeply graded areas or is prone to drainage or runoff. In this case, a landscaping professional (preferably one well versed in landslide prevention) will need to assess your property and help you determine the best type of retaining wall to use.

There are several different types of retaining walls, including:

Concrete Retaining Walls. Concrete blocks lock together without requiring mortar. Soil is then tightly packed behind it to prevent weakening and collapse. Concrete retaining walls easily form curves, which is typically a requirement of this stabilization approach.
Steel Beam/Pipe Pile Retaining Walls. These are often used on extreme slopes where a concrete wall is too expensive. The steel beams are usually placed in a pre-drilled hole and encased in concrete.

Or, a landslide expert may suggest one of these other options:

GeoGrid Systems. A cost-effective approach to rebuilding slopes that have previously failed due to a landslide or mudslide.
Drainage Systems. Stormwater management is a very important component of landslide control services, and poor drainage or water management is often the main culprit in landslide events.
Silt Fence. These are constructed using a long fabric barrier which can be used in any area where there’s runoff or loose soil. These function as a good intermediary option for areas which need support while vegetation or other topsoil methods are put in place.
Erosion control matting. The matting remains in this location until native vegetation can begin to grow through, and does no harm to the environment. Erosion control mats provide the strength and surface area needed to protect an area from erosion or runoff.

Man-made terraces. The subsoil is levelled, followed by installing a solid top soil and side supports. Natural terraces using elements such as grasses can also produce the same effect.

About Unilited Drilling

Landslide Repair

If you’re looking for landslide repair in Escondido, look no further than Unlimited Drilling & Foundations Inc. Founded in 1993. Over the past 28 years, we’ve completed thousands of foundation repair, slope stabilization and drainage systems projects in Southern California, and we specialize in all aspects of foundation repair, slope stabilization and retaining walls.

Why Dry Climates Carry Landslide Risk

While many may not equate the dry Southern California climate with landslide risk, unfortunately that’s just not true. When overly dry soil is suddenly hit with large amounts of rain or moisture, often, the ground surface is unable to absorb the moisture, leading to increased levels of runoff which can cause flooding and ultimately, landslides.

Across the globe, different phenomena influence the stability of slopes and cause landslides, such as precipitation, snow melt, temperature changes, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and various human activity.

Landslide Repair Services

At Unlimited Drilling, we provide a range of services in order to help prevent and repair damage from landslides.

Property Assessments

Our team is well versed in consultations and can help guide you around the best solutions to either repair a landslide that has already occurred or to prevent property damage in the future.

During a walkthrough, our team will assess a variety of potential problem areas including:

Pollution. Our team experts will assess if yard waste or other excessive property elements may create runoff and put your property at risk for landslide damage. Aside from human use, excess water is the leading cause of landslides. In order to best combat both issues, it may be critical to build a retaining wall or use landscaping methods to keep runoff in check and prevent potential pollution.
Weakened slopes/retaining walls. Landslides caused by erosion can cause quite a bit of damage to the overall structural integrity of your property. The consultation process will also include a thorough assessment of existing retaining walls and slopes which may need additional support.

Foundation issues. Poor stormwater drainage can cause significant foundation setting or sinking. We’ll look for uneven or sagging floors, as well as significant water pooling around your foundation, assess existing damage and make a plan to correct these issues.

Retaining Wall Installation

Installing a retaining wall is one option our experts may suggest in order to repair damage or prevent damage in the future. These are structures which are built to help reinforce existing slopes or hills, or to artificially prop up areas on your property which may show signs of weakening. Many older retaining walls have drainage issues which can cause weight and pressure to build up and overflow. Furthermore, retaining walls are not just for looks. Sure, they can be designed to flow well with your current landscaping, however, their primary purpose is to keep soil from shifting.

There are various types of retaining walls which can be used, but the type often depends on your property type. Here are a few commonly used retaining walls:

Concrete Retaining Walls. Concrete blocks lock together without requiring mortar. Soil is then tightly packed behind it to prevent weakening and collapse. Concrete retaining walls easily form curves which is typically a requirement of this stabilization approach.

Steel Beam/Pipe Pile Retaining Walls. These are often used on extreme slopes where a concrete wall is too expensive. The steel beams are usually placed in a pre-drilled hole and encased in concrete.

GeoGrid System Installation

Another option which may be considered is GeoGrid textile fabric, which is a cost-effective approach to rebuilding slopes that have previously failed due to a landslide or mudslide. These are often used when retaining walls alone are not enough on their own. The GeoGrid system serves to reinforce the retaining wall when soil pulls apart under tension.

Draining Systems Installation

For properties with poor drainage, a professional may recommend rerouting surface and/or underwater drainage. Stormwater management is a very important component of landslide control services and poor drainage or water management is often the main culprit in landslide events.

Conclusion

The good news is, there are a lot of things you can do on your own to help prevent landslide damage. First and foremost: vigilance. It’s critical to pay close attention to property throughout the year and to keep an eye out for warning signs.

Here’s a few things to look for that may signal that it’s time to call in the experts:

Landscaping shifts
Sticking doors or windows
Cracks in plaster, tile, brick or within the foundation of your home
Gaps between outside walls, walks, or stairs and the building
Widening cracks in driveways or sidewalks
Bulging ground area near hills or slopes

When in doubt, our team here at Unlimited Drilling is here to help!

About Unilited Drilling

Unlimited Drilling & Foundations Inc. was founded in 1993. Over the past 28 years, the company has completed thousands of foundation repair, slope stabilization and drainage systems projects in Southern California. They specialize in all aspects of foundation repair, slope stabilization and retaining walls.

When is a Retaining Wall Needed?

If you have property along with a sloped land, then you most likely know the risk that comes with too much erosion. You need to find a way to ensure that the rate of erosion is reduced significantly. One of the ways to do that is by building a retaining wall.

You can call us at Unlimited Drilling to build your retaining wall and give you information on the advantages of having one. What most clients do not know is if they need a retaining wall.

When is a retaining wall needed?

Well, you will need one if you notice that there is too much erosion when it rains. If you are finding too much erosion around your property and it is coming from the upper parts of the slope then you need a retaining wall. This will ensure that there is no further risk of erosion that may collapse your house or other structures around it.

If there are fault lines in the soil around your property, then you need a retaining wall. The soil will most likely settle a little every time there is a heavy storm. This process can be faster and more dangerous if there is a disaster such as an earthquake. You need to build a retaining wall to ensure that the property will be safe from collapse.

The other instance when you need a retaining wall is if there is a sliding hill around your property. This often threatens the foundations of any structures around the hill. To prevent the structures from getting swept in a landslide, then it is crucial to get a retaining wall.

These are the answers to that question you have been asking when is a retaining wall needed? At Unlimited Drilling, we can give you the best design options and answer any questions that you may have regarding the materials that are best for the project. Contact us today.

Types of Retaining Walls

Different Types Of Retaining Walls

Retaining walls are primarily used to hold back the natural materials behind them by withstanding the lateral pressure resulting from the soil, water, or any other particulate material therein. In addition to helping maintain the existing landscape, these structures can also be used to improve or enrich the appearance of the space in question.

If you are thinking about having a retaining wall built on your property, but don’t know much about these simple structures, here’s a brief guide on the different types of retaining walls.

Gravity Retaining Walls

In order to hold back the lateral pressure of the earth materials behind them gravity retaining walls rely on their own weight. Since all that is needed to keep the soil from shifting is weight, gravity retaining walls give you the freedom to choose your preferred materials. Stones, bricks, and pavers can be stacked to create a reliable structure. It is, however, worth noting that since these walls are not reinforced in any way, they are only economical for a height of around 3 meters.

Anchored Retaining Walls

These retaining walls rely on anchors driven into the earth behind them to support a “front.” The front, which can be made of a variety of materials and designs, then holds back the soil behind it. The anchors are driven deep into the soil behind the wall mechanically before being injected with concrete to increase their mass. Cables are used to connect the front to the anchors, thus providing the necessary support. This anchoring method can be used to provide additional support to other types of retaining walls where necessary.

Sheet Piling Retaining Walls

These retaining walls are constructed by simply driving steel, concrete, vinyl or wooden piles into the ground, up to a depth that provides the support needed to hold back the soil behind them. These walls are best suited to cases where space is limited. As a rule of thumb, for every two-thirds of total height above ground, a third of the pile has to be buried. Additional support measures may be required for very high walls.

Cantilevered Retaining Walls

Cantilevered retaining walls rely on the weight of the soil behind them to resist the lateral pressures in question. These walls, which may be prefabricated or built on site, have a stem and a base. The base is divided into a “heel” and “toe” section. The heel is buried behind the wall while the toe protrudes forward, past the wall. With the above information in mind, you can make an informed decision regarding the best retaining wall for you. As always, you can contact our professionals for more information about retaining walls and which options are best for your business or home.

The Importance Of Conducting Professional Retaining Wall Inspection

Retaining walls not only help improve the appearance of terraced properties but also serve the function of keeping the soil behind the wall from eroding slowly or collapsing suddenly and causing damage to nearby structures.

It is essential for property owners to ensure that their retaining walls are properly maintained to prevent any sort of failure, as this would result in property damage and injuries to bystanders or residents in some cases.

If you have been thinking about scheduling a professional retaining wall inspection, but have yet to do so, you have come to the right place. Read on to find out why you need to have your inspection conducted by a professional retaining wall contractor.

Retaining walls are designed to retain or hold back the soil behind them. These structures may be built using a variety of materials, including rocks and boulders, poured concrete, concrete blocks, or even treated timber.

The right type of building material to be used in building a specific retaining wall is dependent on a variety of factors, including soil type, local weather conditions, and the level of strength required to hold the soil back.

However, even the most well constructed retaining walls experience some level of deterioration due to extended exposure to weather or a variety of other factors. To maintain the integrity and safety of your property, it is important to schedule professional retaining wall inspections every now and then.

Professional inspections help protect the integrity of your retaining wall by ensuring that any issues are discovered and rectified as early as possible.

If you are building a new retaining wall before embarking on a construction project or have an existing wall on your property or one that you wish to acquire in the near future, it is recommended that you have it inspected by a professional to ensure that it is properly built, using the most suitable materials and free from any problems.