What does this retaining walls punch checklist cover?

9 items across 3 sections, covering movement and condition, drainage, engineer follow-up. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The wall foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing site-wall punch items.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

During closeout and after the first heavy rains, when a section that moved or a blocked drain first shows itself.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

5 of the 9 items call for photo evidence, 6 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a retaining walls punch inspection?

A bulging or leaning section noted on a walk but never reported to the geotech, so nobody decides whether it's cosmetic or moving. Cap adhesive skipped on the runs that are hard to reach, leaving loose caps that get lifted off later.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Retaining walls

Retaining walls punch checklist

Retaining walls punch is where small misses become callbacks after the crew has demobilized. This checklist walks the finished work the way the owner and the next trade will see it, with the photo that closes each item instead of a note that reopens it. Work is commonly verified against the project geotechnical report and specifications, the applicable building code. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Movement and condition

Bulging or out-of-batter sections flagged and reported
Any section that has bulged, leaned or settled photographed in context and reported to the geotech for a movement call.
No photo
Loose caps re-adhered
Every cap checked by hand along the top, any loose unit re-bedded with the specified adhesive and re-aligned.
No photo
Face walked joint by joint for opened or offset units
Vertical joints, corners and steps checked along the full wall for gaps or units pushed out, each location photographed and reported rather than shimmed or patched.
Ground behind the top checked for cracks or settlement
Area over the reinforced zone walked for tension cracks, dips or pavement cracking parallel to the wall, reported with the nearest station.
Toe checked for erosion or undermining
Grade in front of the wall checked for scour, exposed base course or washed-out stone, and the fill and protection restored to finished grade.

Drainage

Drainage cleanouts and outlets clear
Cleanouts and daylighted outlets rodded or flushed clear, confirmed flowing, silt or fill washed back out.
Face checked for seepage or wet staining between units
Face looked at for water weeping through joints or staining below courses, a sign the drainage zone or outlets are not carrying water out.

Engineer follow-up

Monitoring points re-read and sent to the engineer
Where the design set survey or movement points, a closeout reading taken and compared to the baseline, with the results sent to the wall engineer.
No photo
Repairs that disturb grid or drainage routed to the wall engineer
Any fix that means pulling units, digging behind the face or cutting grid held until the engineer gives a repair method, and that method recorded.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

A bulging or leaning section noted on a walk but never reported to the geotech, so nobody decides whether it's cosmetic or moving.
Cap adhesive skipped on the runs that are hard to reach, leaving loose caps that get lifted off later.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this retaining walls punch checklist cover?: 9 items across 3 sections, covering movement and condition, drainage, engineer follow-up. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The wall foreman on a callback, or the GC's superintendent closing site-wall punch items.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: During closeout and after the first heavy rains, when a section that moved or a blocked drain first shows itself.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 5 of the 9 items call for photo evidence, 6 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a retaining walls punch inspection?: A bulging or leaning section noted on a walk but never reported to the geotech, so nobody decides whether it's cosmetic or moving. Cap adhesive skipped on the runs that are hard to reach, leaving loose caps that get lifted off later.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 6 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.