Most projects we take on are new build outs that involve an element of design and creativity in addition to high quality craftsmanship. Occasionally, we are called to rebuild new projects that were constructed poorly by another company. These particular projects are heartbreaking in that homeowners have lost a large investment of their time and energy and, many times, ended up worse off when they started. After decades of constructing hardscapes, this particular project was one of the worst we have seen. Read on to learn what went wrong with the first company and how we fixed it.
Problem #1 No Drainage
The first two images in the gallery below show the retaining wall bowing out from the top. After further investigation, we found there was no drainage behind the wall so soil compaction and hydrostatic pressure began heaving it outward almost immediately.
Problem #2 Lack of Support
To make matters worse, the retaining wall wasn’t pinned properly. There was no rebar or any other support to hold the wall in place.
Problem #3 Separation Gaps Too Close
The third image in the gallery shows a real lack of knowledge about wall construction. You should never have seams like this in a wall! Needless to say, the decreased distance between overlapping seams created weak spots in the wall which allowed for failure.
Problem #4 : Poor Craftsmanship
In the fourth image, you’ll see another example of poor craftsmanship. Instead of purchasing 16′ boards or using 12’ boards with a staggered pattern, they added an additional 18” of decking onto the ends in order to cover the span. After removing the boards for further inspection it only got worse.
Problem #5 Ignored Termite Damage
Originally, three of the four posts supporting the existing upper deck appeared to have rot damage at the base. Upon further inspection, two of the posts were minor and easy to repair. One had severe termite damage extending four feet from the ground and definitely needed to be replaced! The original contractor, even after acknowledging the severity of the damage with the homeowner, chose to attach the new decks to the damaged post insisting he would come back later and “fix that.” This, coupled with the poor framing job and lack of proper hardware told us everything we needed to know. This was all coming down.
Hardscapes of Holly Springs to the Rescue!
First, We Fixed the Retaining Wall
We completely rebuilt the retaining wall from scratch with proper drainage and additional tiebacks. We installed the proper hardware, added rebar, and staggered the seams for greater strength.
Next, We Replaced the Termite-Rotted Posts
We treated the posts with minor damage with epoxy, repositioned one that was out of alignment, and replaced the termite damaged post. Now the homeowners can take comfort knowing their deck, 12′ off the ground, is built on a solid foundation.
Lastly, We Reframed Both Decks
We all do our best to save money where we can, but when it comes to finishing off a project, deck boards are not a place where you want to save a buck. While we were able to re-use most of the wall material, we had to replace most of the deck boards because they were poor quality and sustained damaged during the removal process.
No one sets out with the intention of hiring a company that will do a poor job. Here are a few things to keep in mind when hiring a hardscaping company to complete a project for your home:
- Get multiple quotes from multiple companies. It is hard to hire the best fit when you only get one bid. It can be helpful to not only compare prices, but design ideas as well.
- Get to know the contractor that will be working on site and make sure you are comfortable with their knowledge, experience, and expertise.
- Don’t hesitate to ask for references. Any contractor should be proud of their past work and any of their past clients should be happy to share their great results.
- Do your homework. Look for the company online so you can see images of their past work and scan their reviews from past clients.
At Hardscapes of Holly Springs, we value the highest quality of craftsmanship and customer service. When you hire our company to complete your project, Chris Pearson, owner and operator, will be onsite for every job ensuring your project will be completed the right way the first time! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.