The retaining wall I fixed last spring vs. what it looked like three years ago blew my mind
I snapped a picture of this retaining wall I helped a buddy redo near his place in St. Louis. Three years ago it was all bulging out and the mortar was basically dust, looked like it would fall over any minute. We tore it down, dug a proper base with gravel, and used through-wall ties every two feet. Now it's rock solid and hasn't moved a hair. What kind of fixes have you guys made that really held up better than you expected?
That before picture sounds like half the walls I see around here in New England where the frost heave just destroys everything. Funny thing is, proper drainage makes way more difference than people realize, most folks just slap on more mortar and call it a day.