Installing Weep Holes In Retaining Wall (Drainage For Retaining Wall)

If you opt for weep holes as a drainage system for retaining walls, a proper method is required to get the job done. The retaining walls accumulate water.

check; the best weep hole covers.

This water gets absorbed and reduces the life of the wall.  We have discussed a hand method to install the weep holes to ensure proper water drainage. 

Weep holes are easy to install and budget-friendly under the construction process.

One can easily install it to solve the issue. To install the holes in the existing wall, you will acquire moderate laborious work.

Grab the tools, and let’s get started!

Types of Weep Holes

Each of the weep holes depends upon the nature of the holes for use;

1. Open Head Joint Weep Holes
2. Cotton Rope Wicking Weep Holes
3. Tubes Weep Holes

Safety Equipments and Tools

Whenever you are working, safety comes first.

To avoid any mishaps, try using these:

• protective equipments 

Tool

• Measuring tape 
• Marking crayon 
• Coring tool 
• Mounting plate
• Power drill 
• Hammer 
• Expanding anchor
• Thread 
• Bolts 
• Wrench 
• Plier

Installing Weep Holes in Retaining Walls

Procedure 

1. Locate the wall that needs weep holes.
2. From one end of that wall, start measuring till 24 inches position using a measuring tape. Mark the site with a crayon. 
3. Now use the measuring tape and measure about 6 inches from the ground by marking that site with a crayon.
4. After that, observe the position at which both the points coincide. Once located, that’s the point for installing your first weep hole.
5. For remaining weep holes, consider the same procedure by measuring 60 inches from end to end of the wall and 6 inches from the ground.
6. Consider a point and start installing the weep holes.
7. Take a coring tool mounting plate and position it at the wall face.
8. After that, align the plate’s center to the point selected for the hole.
9. Place the plate aside once you have marked the retaining wall at all locations for the outer ends of the bolt slots.
10. After that, take a power drill and set it using a half-inch carbide drill bit. 
11. Once the drill is opted to work, install holes two inches deep.
12. Take the expanding anchor and Insert a half by two-inch into each hole recently drilled.
13. To ensure the anchors are secured, tap them with the help of a hammer.
14. Use an adjustable wrench to expand the anchors in the wall to secure bolts Tightness.
15. After that, you have to install a three-and-a-half-inch coring bit into a chuck that lies on the coring tool.
16. Take the mounting plate and set the scoring tool on it. Once attached, tighten it with nuts to secure it.
17. Coring the hole must be through the face of the retaining wall. If the retaining wall is concrete, use fresh water to wet the coring bit.
18. You have done with your first weep hole. 
19. Go through the same procedure to ensure all the weep holes are according to the first one.

Removing the Expanding Anchors

• If you need to remove the expanding anchors, threading a bolt into the anchor will do the job.
• Just thread it and pull it out using a plier. In this way, you can remove the expanding anchor if desired.

Remember that expanding anchors can’t be reused.

Advantages of Weep Holes

• Water Drainage 
• Prevent penetration and capillary action of water
• Ensures gap to avoid water penetration
• Protect air behind the wall
• Permit moisture escape
• Increase wall life
• Prevent the wall from hydrostatic pressure
• Reduce buoyancy
• Avoid uplifting of structure
• No stability issues

Conclusion 

Installing weep holes in retaining walls will acquire desired tools and a handy method to ensure proper water drainage from the wall. Weep holes make the wall long-lasting.