Structural Assessments for Walls, Slopes & Foundations.
On-site structural assessments for retaining walls, slopes, foundations and shoring systems—combining movement checks, drainage review and structural behaviour analysis. Clear recommendations for private clients, engineers and general contractors.
A structural assessment clarifies whether you are dealing with cosmetic movement, an early warning or an active structural problem. It sits between “something looks wrong” and signing off on major work.
What We Assess On Site
We focus on structures that interact with soil and water—where movement, erosion or pressure can translate into real risk if left unchecked.
Retaining Walls
Walls that are leaning, bulging, cracking or showing rotation or distress.
- Segmental, cast-in-place, timber and armour stone walls
- Drainage, weepers and backfill conditions behind the wall
- Interfaces with decks, stairs, driveways and patios
Slopes & Ravines
Embankments, ravine edges and slopes that are creeping, slumping or eroding.
- Surface movement and cracking patterns
- Water pathways above, through and below the slope
- Risk to structures, access routes and services
Foundations & Basements
Foundations that are settling, cracking or leaking under specific conditions.
- Step cracks, rotation and bearing concerns
- Hydrostatic pressure and leak behaviour
- Impacts on floors, doors, windows and finishes
Drainage & Water Behaviour
How water moves across, through and under the site—and how that affects structure.
- Overland flow, ponding and icing patterns
- Weepers, subdrains, outlets and discharge points
- Seasonal changes in moisture, loading and support
When a Structural Assessment Makes Sense
These kinds of symptoms usually justify pausing design or repair decisions until the underlying behaviour is understood.
Retaining Walls & Slopes
- Walls leaning, bowing or shifting over time
- Soil washing out or voids forming behind walls
- New cracks along the top or toe of slopes
- Patios or driveways settling near edges
Foundations & Interiors
- Doors and windows going out of square
- Cracks reappearing after patching
- Floors sloping or dipping in specific rooms
- Leaks tied to particular storms or seasons
Water & Site Behaviour
- Water consistently pooling near structures
- Downspouts or sump discharge with no routing plan
- Soft, saturated areas that stay wet or freeze badly
- Previous “fixes” that have not held up
What Happens During an Assessment
The objective isn’t to push a particular repair. It’s to understand how structure, soil and water are interacting—and what needs to change to bring the system back into balance.
Movement & Behaviour Review
We walk the site, review symptoms, look at structure, grades and drainage, and discuss the history of the issue with you.
How It’s Built & What It Sits On
Identify wall and foundation types, backfill, soil conditions and any previous work that might affect performance.
Where Forces & Water Go
Trace how loads and water move through the system—what’s pushing, what’s softening, and what appears over-stressed or unsupported.
Next Steps & Action Plan
Outline options: monitoring, targeted corrections, or full stabilization and engineering where required.
What You Take Away from an Assessment
The outcome is clarity. You’ll understand what is happening, how urgent it appears and what level of intervention is appropriate.
Findings & Documentation
- Summary of conditions, locations and key observations
- Photos of critical risks and failure indicators
- Notes on structure type, soils and drainage behaviour
Risk & Urgency
- Whether the issue appears stable, active or uncertain
- Potential impact and consequence if nothing is done
- Recommended monitoring or interim measures
Path Forward
- Suggested repair or stabilization approaches
- Where engineering input is required
- How Rockback can support design and construction
What Structural Assessment Work Looks Like
Structural assessments mean looking past finishes and landscaping to see how things are actually performing. That can involve open cuts, exposed foundations, visible drainage paths and bare soil so we can read movement, moisture and loading correctly—an honest view of how the structure is behaving, not just how it’s dressed up.
Who Uses Our Structural Assessments
We work directly with property owners, and alongside engineers and contractors who need a ground-level view before committing to design, scope or cost.
Private Clients & Property Owners
Clarity before committing to major work or renovations, particularly on sloped, constrained or high-value properties.
Engineers
Field support, exposure of conditions and ongoing construction assistance on structural and geotechnical projects.
General Contractors
Reduce unknowns, coordinate scopes and avoid surprises once excavation or demolition starts.
Property Managers & Estates
Early identification of risk on large or complex properties where access, safety and continuity matter.
Need Clarity on a Structural or Slope Issue?
If you’re seeing movement, cracking or water where it shouldn’t be, a structural assessment is the most efficient way to understand what’s happening and what to do next—before spending heavily in the wrong direction.