Merthyr Tydfil · Mid Glamorgan
Retaining wall repairs in Merthyr Tydfil
Whether it is a terraced lawn, a sunken patio or a drive cut into a bank, a failing retaining wall in Merthyr Tydfil needs drainage, a proper footing and enough strength for its height. We price the repair once the wall and its load are understood.
Guide price from£460per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CF47, CF48
- Population
- about 44,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
What is the ground like in Mid Glamorgan?
Postcode districts CF47, CF48 cover Merthyr Tydfil, a Mid Glamorgan town of about 44,000 people. Nearby, we also cover Aberdare (4 miles), Mountain Ash (4 miles) and Rhondda (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Mid Glamorgan. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Across Mid Glamorgan, most homes are long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to retaining wall repairs
- Water seeping through joints, or white salt staining, after rain
- No weep holes, or weep holes that never seem to drain
- Ground cracking or sinking along the top of the wall
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Merthyr Tydfil
Prices in Merthyr Tydfil are worked out on Wales rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Minor repairs and drainage | £460 – £1,850 | per wall |
| Structural repair or partial rebuild | £2,750 – £13,800 | per wall |
| New retaining wall | £185 – £415 | per m² of wall face |
Methods for retaining wall repairs
Structural repair and partial rebuild
A leaning or bulging section is taken down, the soil behind dug out and supported, and the wall rebuilt on a new footing with drainage and, where specified, reinforcement tied into the sound wall either side. The engineer’s design sets footing size and wall thickness.
Best for: A section that has moved while the rest stays sound
Rebuilding on new footings
Where the whole wall is failing, it is replaced with a new retaining wall on a properly sized footing, with free-draining backfill, a membrane, weep holes and a drain at the base. Reinforced blockwork faced in brick or stone is common, so the wall matches its surroundings.
Best for: Walls failing along their length, or retaining significant height
From first photo to finished repair
Site assessment
On site we measure height and lean, check the drainage and the ground at the top and bottom, and look at access for digging out. Walls that support a drive, path or building, or retain more than a modest height, are referred to an engineer.
Engineer’s design
Where the wall needs it, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed to design the repair or new wall, including footing, thickness, reinforcement and drainage. We can arrange this, and the design forms the basis of the quote.
Build and drain
The failing section is taken down, the soil supported in short lengths, and the footing cast. The wall is rebuilt with drainage behind it, backfilled with free-draining material, and building control inspects where the work needs it.
Rules for retaining wall repairs in Wales
In Wales, the Welsh version of the Building Regulations applies. Underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control approval and inspection; like-for-like repairs often do not. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on party walls and excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for retaining wall repairs in Merthyr Tydfil?
Guide prices for retaining wall repairs in Merthyr Tydfil start from about £460 per wall, including VAT, on Wales rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Merthyr Tydfil?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Merthyr Tydfil, including CF47, CF48, and from nearby places such as Aberdare and Mountain Ash. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Mid Glamorgan crack?
Mid Glamorgan lies on the South Wales coalfield, with dense historic workings, spoil tips and steep valley sides. Landslip, retaining walls and mining legacy are all live issues in the valleys. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can a bulging retaining wall be saved?
Sometimes, if the bulge is small, the wall is low and the cause is mainly poor drainage. Improving drainage and repairing the face may stop further movement. A wall that has bulged a lot, cracked through or moved at its base usually needs that section rebuilding on a proper footing.
Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall?
For low walls holding back a planting bed, often not. Walls retaining more than a modest height, often taken as more than about a metre, or supporting a drive, path, building or neighbour’s land, generally need an engineer’s design. An independent chartered structural engineer is appointed where needed, and we can arrange this.
Related work in Merthyr Tydfil
Retaining wall repairs near Merthyr Tydfil
If an engineer has already designed a new retaining wall for your Merthyr Tydfil property, send the drawings and we will price building it.