Call Now Free Quote
(847) 713-1648 Get Free Estimate
Chicagoland's Trusted Masonry Experts

Expert Retaining Wall Repair in Chicagoland

Drainage correction and masonry repair for leaning, cracked, or deteriorating brick and block retaining walls. 39+ years of North Shore experience. Licensed, insured, ASTM-compliant. Free estimates.

Get My Free Estimate Call (847) 713-1648
39+
Years Experience
87
Reviews
2,800+
Projects
4.9
Star Rating

What Is Retaining Wall Repair?

A retaining wall is a gravity structure that holds back soil by weight and masonry integrity. Most retaining wall failures are not masonry failures - they are drainage failures. Water accumulating behind the wall creates hydrostatic pressure that exceeds what the mortar joints and footing were designed to carry. In Chicagoland, that saturated soil also freezes, and frozen saturated soil exerts significantly more pressure on the wall face than dry soil. Retaining wall repair that lasts begins by solving the drainage problem first, then addressing the masonry. Repointing a wall still under hydrostatic pressure is not a repair - it is a delay. The wall will move again.

Six Signs You Need Retaining Wall Repair

Sign 1

Wall leaning or tilting visibly outward from the building or property line

Sign 2

Horizontal cracks opening through the wall depth at mid-height

Sign 3

Brick courses shifted out of their original plane

Sign 4

Weep holes blocked, absent, or not draining after rain

Sign 5

Mortar joints eroded, crumbling, or recessed more than 1/4 inch

Sign 6

Settlement or cracking of the structure or driveway above the retained grade

Need retaining wall repair? Call (847) 713-1648 or

Get Free Estimate

What Happens When You Delay Retaining Wall Repair

Retaining walls fail progressively. Each Chicago winter applies and releases freeze-thaw pressure against soil that cannot drain. After five winters of sustained loading, what was a repairable lean becomes a rebuild. After ten, the footing has shifted and structural engineering may be required.

Cost Escalation Timeline

Timeline Condition Typical Cost
Year 0-3 Mortar erosion, weep holes blocked, early joint failure Drainage correction + tuckpointing: $500-$2,000
Year 3-6 Minor lean, course displacement beginning, stair-step cracks Drainage + partial rebuild: $3,000-$6,000
Year 6-10 Visible lean, structural movement, footing heave Full wall rebuild: $5,000-$15,000
Year 10+ Structural failure, wall collapse, footing involvement Engineering + rebuild: $15,000-$30,000+

Our Retaining Wall Repair Process

1

Drainage and Structural Assessment

We evaluate lean, course displacement, crack patterns, weep hole condition, and the drainage situation behind the wall. We check whether the wall is under active hydrostatic pressure before specifying any masonry repair. A leaning wall under pressure requires drainage correction first.

2

Drainage Correction

Weep holes are cleared or installed in the lower courses. If drainage aggregate behind the wall has clogged, excavation to install new filter aggregate and drainage pipe is recommended. This is the step most often skipped by contractors who then wonder why the repair failed.

3

Footing and Base Inspection

The wall base is inspected for footing integrity and soil stability. Walls near ravines (Highland Park, Lake Forest, Glencoe) require assessment of soil movement in addition to hydrostatic pressure.

4

Mortar Removal and Preparation

For walls that can be repaired (near-plumb, footing intact), joints are removed to a minimum 3/4 inch depth. For walls requiring rebuild, courses are carefully deconstructed and the footing is repaired or replaced as needed.

5

Masonry Repair or Rebuild

Type S mortar (minimum 1,800 PSI per ASTM C270) is required for all retaining wall applications. Lime mortar or NHL lime for historic limestone walls on North Shore estates built before 1920. Brick is sourced to match the original where replacement is needed.

6

Backfill and Final Inspection

Drainage aggregate is restored behind the wall. Weep holes are verified free and draining. The completed wall is inspected for plumb, joint consistency, and coping or cap condition.

Ready to get started? Call (847) 713-1648 or

Request Estimate

Technical Standards & Mortar Types

Retaining walls require higher-strength mortar than above-grade walls because they carry lateral soil loads in addition to their own weight. Using Type N mortar (750 PSI) on a retaining wall sets up a failure timeline measured in years, not decades. The one exception is historic limestone walls built before 1920, where lime mortar compatibility takes precedence.

Mortar Type Compressive Strength Correct Use Risk if Misused
Type S 1,800 PSI All standard brick and block retaining walls; primary specification for retaining wall repair Required for lateral soil loads. Type N at 750 PSI is structurally inadequate for retaining wall applications per ASTM C270.
Type M 2,500 PSI Retaining walls under heavy surcharge (structures or driveways above), severe exposure Maximum strength. Use where engineering specifications or heavy loading demands it. Limited flexibility.
NHL Lime 300-600 PSI Historic limestone retaining walls, pre-1920 estate properties in Lake Forest and Kenilworth Required for pre-1920 limestone. Portland cement stains limestone and creates incompatibility failures. Softer than stone as required by NPS Preservation Brief 2.

All Delta work follows ASTM C270 Standard Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry.

Retaining Wall Repair Pricing

$500-$2,000
Drainage correction + tuckpointing (sound wall)
$5,000-$15,000
Full wall rebuild with drainage
$3,000-$6,000
Partial rebuild (section repair)
Free
On-site assessment with written estimate

A targeted mortar restoration and drainage correction on an otherwise sound wall runs $500 to $2,000. A full retaining wall rebuild ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on wall length, height, material, and whether a new drainage system needs to be installed. Every project receives a free written estimate after on-site inspection. Do not estimate retaining wall work from a photograph.

Questions about retaining wall repair? We have answers. Call (847) 713-1648 or

Get Free Estimate

Retaining Wall Repair Service Areas

We provide professional retaining wall repair services across Chicago's North Shore, Lake County, northwest suburbs, and Cook County. 39+ years serving these communities.

North Shore

WinnetkaWilmetteKenilworthGlencoeEvanston

Lake County

Lake ForestLake BluffHighland ParkLibertyvilleWaukeganGurneeVernon HillsMundeleinGrayslake

Northwest Suburbs

NorthbrookGlenviewDeerfieldArlington HeightsPalatineBuffalo Grove

Cook County

SkokieDes PlainesSchaumburgPark RidgeNilesNorridgeMorton GroveRosemontRolling MeadowsLincolnwoodNorthfield

Neighborhood Expertise

Every neighborhood on the North Shore has different brick, mortar, and construction eras. We know what your home is made of and how to repair it correctly.

Highland Park

Era 1920s-1990s Building types Homes along the ravine corridor with grade changes of 8-15 feet Common material Block and brick retaining walls; some historic limestone walls on older properties Our approach Highland Park's ravine corridor is where we see the most retaining wall work on the North Shore. Ravine-adjacent walls manage grade differentials where the soil dynamics include groundwater, persistent humidity, and surcharge from driveways above. Drainage correction is always part of the repair scope here.

Lake Forest

Era 1900s-1960s Building types Estate properties with formal landscape retaining walls Common material Historic limestone walls on pre-1940 estates; block walls on post-war construction Our approach Lake Forest limestone retaining walls from the 1920s require NHL hydraulic lime or lime-rich Type N, not Portland cement-heavy mixes that stain limestone and create incompatibility. Lake Forest's Historic Preservation Commission reviews work on designated properties.

Deerfield

Era 1965-1985 Building types Bi-level and split-level homes with driveway retaining walls Common material Concrete block walls with standard mortar; often inadequate original drainage Our approach Deerfield bi-levels from the 1965-1975 build era have retaining walls at the grade transition between entry and main levels that were built without adequate drainage aggregate. The combination of clay-heavy soil and inadequate drainage produces progressive lean over 40-50 years.

Glencoe

Era 1920s-1960s Building types Ravine-adjacent homes with complex grade changes Common material Mixed brick and stone; some older limestone walls Our approach Glencoe's ravine topography creates the same drainage and soil movement dynamics as Highland Park. Ravine-side walls face persistent groundwater in addition to surface hydrostatic pressure from rain and snowmelt.

Northbrook and Glenview

Era 1950s-1980s Building types Suburban homes with landscape and driveway retaining walls Common material Standard brick and block; builder-grade mortar reaching end of service life Our approach Standard Type S mortar repair and drainage correction. Most failures in this area are due to inadequate original drainage, not material quality. Adding proper weep holes and drainage aggregate resolves the root cause.

Libertyville

Era 1960s-1990s Building types Mixed residential with some grade changes Common material Block and brick walls; standard construction Our approach Grade-level drainage problems in Libertyville are compounded by landscaping and downspout placement that keeps the soil adjacent to retaining walls persistently saturated. Drainage correction includes redirecting downspouts away from wall bases.

Retaining Wall Repair FAQ

Common questions about retaining wall repair answered by our licensed masonry experts.

What causes a retaining wall to lean outward?
In the vast majority of cases, water pressure buildup behind the wall. When drainage behind a retaining wall fails, saturated soil becomes significantly heavier than dry soil. That added weight, combined with the direct hydraulic pressure of water against the wall face, pushes the wall outward. Weep holes that are blocked, absent, or too few are the specific mechanism in most cases we see. Frost heave from frozen saturated soil compounds the problem every winter.
Can a leaning retaining wall be repaired or does it need full replacement?
A minor lean where brick courses are still intact and the footing is sound can sometimes be addressed with drainage correction plus limited mortar restoration. If the lean has progressed to the point where courses have slipped, the footing has heaved, or horizontal cracks have opened through the full wall depth, a rebuild is required. Attempting to fill mortar joints on a wall still under hydrostatic pressure will not stop the movement.
Why does retaining wall repair require Type S mortar?
Type S mortar has a minimum compressive strength of 1,800 PSI per ASTM C270. Retaining walls carry lateral soil loads in addition to vertical weight, which requires this higher strength. Type N mortar at 750 PSI is appropriate for above-grade walls with no lateral load but is structurally inadequate for retaining wall applications. Using Type N on a retaining wall produces joint failure measured in years rather than decades.
Do weep holes really matter?
Weep holes are the primary mechanism for relieving hydrostatic pressure behind a retaining wall. Without them, or with them blocked, water accumulates behind the wall and the pressure increases with every rain event. In Chicagoland, that saturated soil freezes every winter and exerts significantly more pressure than dry soil. We clear or install weep holes on every retaining wall project because addressing drainage is the only way to make the masonry repair last.
What is the difference between retaining wall repair and a standard masonry repair?
The structural loads are different. An above-grade wall carries vertical loads downward. A retaining wall carries lateral soil loads pushing horizontally against it. This changes the mortar specification (Type S not Type N), the drainage requirements, and how the footing must be sized. The assessment must consider drainage and soil behavior, not just masonry condition.
How long should a properly built retaining wall last?
With correct mortar type, adequate drainage, functioning weep holes, and proper footing depth, a brick or block retaining wall should perform for 30 to 50 years. The primary cause of premature failure is inadequate drainage from the start, which sets up progressive hydrostatic loading that the mortar joints cannot resist.

Our Credentials

Since 1987
Licensed Illinois Masonry Contractor #104-016987. Continuously operating for 39+ years.
$2M
Full general liability coverage protects your property. Certificate of insurance provided on request.
Workers Comp
Full workers comp coverage for every crew member. You are never liable for on-site injuries.
4.9 Stars
87+ reviews across Google and Yelp. Our reputation is built on results.
Family-Owned
Three generations of masonry expertise. No franchises, no corporate overhead. Personal attention.
Free Estimates
Every project starts with a free on-site inspection and detailed written estimate. No surprises.

Related Services

Residential

TuckpointingBrick RepairChimney RepairMasonry RepairConcrete ServicesStone MasonryPower WashingLintel RepairBrick Paver & Walkway RepairMasonry Waterproofing & SealingFoundation & Basement Masonry RepairStep & Stoop Masonry Repair

Commercial

Commercial MasonryHistoric RestorationLimestone RestorationParapet Wall Repair

Need Retaining Wall Repair? Let's Fix It Right.

Free on-site inspection and written estimate - no obligation. Serving the North Shore and Chicagoland for over 39 years.

(847) 713-1648 Request Online Estimate