Do I need a French drain for 2-foot high walls, or can I grade away from the house and use limestone for backing?
Asked by Clémence Robert 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 4, 2024
I’m thinking about redoing these walls that are about 2 feet high. Do I have to install a French drain or something along the house, or can I just slope the grade away from the house and use limestone as backing?
Limestone can be a good option if you use geotech fabric to maintain its cleanliness. Alternatively, you can opt for a perforated drain tile with a sock for better drainage.
If you want to prevent water from accumulating behind the wall, you should consider installing a french drain. This will help reduce hydrostatic pressure and prevent the wall from collapsing. Make sure it runs along the back of the house, especially if it’s not there already, and along the concrete footing at the base of the wall. The drain should extend through the retaining walls. Additionally, consider placing a pipe on the backfilled side of the retaining wall and creating some openings, like removing a brick, to allow the groundwater to drain.