Over the past century, many stone walls in this area were constructed with minimal attention to essential factors like base material, backfill, or proper drainage. When we dismantle older stone walls, we often find a mix of dirt and stone used as backfill. Unfortunately, soil is not an ideal backfill material because it doesn’t drain well, retains moisture, and expands during freeze/thaw cycles. Additionally, soil encourages plant growth, leading to invasive vegetation and root infiltration.

As soil erodes over time, it begins to wash through the stones toward the front of the wall. This erosion, combined with the freeze/thaw cycles and root growth, causes the stones to shift, leading to instability. Eventually, stones may fall off, vegetation and soil become visible through the face of the wall, or sections of the wall may collapse entirely. At this stage, the only viable repair option is often to dismantle and rebuild the affected section or the entire wall.

The good news is that the original stones can typically be reused during the rebuild. This process also offers an excellent opportunity to improve the wall’s design. This might involve setting the wall back to create more space, increasing the height for additional level ground, or incorporating stairways for better access.