Shims on just about every block of retaining wall. Seller says it hasn’t moved since he dug it out to put drain tile in.
Unless you see problems, report what you see and what the seller told you. Are the shims plastic or wood, re longevity and rot? Move on.
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They’re plastic. Why would you put them in, unless there is/was a problem. Are they an aduquate solution? Retaining walls are expensive. That’s the problem.
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The blocks would typically be laid level or staggered back a small amount at each row. I have never seen shims used on a block retaining wall.
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Agreed. Why did he dig out and put a drain tile in? Because there was problem.
I suspect this was wall was bulging, leaning or both. The shims are the visible part of the ‘cure’. I would definitely send the buyer back to the seller for original design plans (because it is a tall wall and should be engineered) and any repair documentation.
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Its fine! Move on!
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There was a drainage problem, as the seller told you. He solved it by digging out the wall and adding drainage. Without proper fill behind the wall and without proper drainage, the wall will push out because of freezing saturated soil and due to the height of the wall.
The shims are a way to tip the wall into the bank. Is it typical, no. Is it functional and acceptable; you have to decide. With an adequate number of plastic shims present and with no other issues observed, I’d be happy with it. We inspect for function. Are there other ways to accomplish this? Yes, but he chose this way. Are you happy with how it’s functioning?
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This is interesting and on topic.
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I don’t see anything in your photo that predicts the future. The age of the wall could be a clue. If the wall was done five years ago, then nothing to complain about. If it was done five weeks ago, then I might have a conversation with the client about it. That kind of wall probably required a permit.
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And the apparent height (4+ ft ?) would typically require Engineered Drawings.
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Well, I am convinced if you pull this shim, the whole house of cards comes tumbling down 
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Or just to level stones that had shifted.
Drain tile should have been installed when the wall was originally installed.
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80" inch high Mortar-less Interlocking Dry stacking radius retaining wall.
Prior minor repairs using plastic leveling shims.
1: Lacking sufficient weep holes.
No adverse conditions observed the day of the inspection.
Move on…
Perimeter drainage field with drainage weep tiles for/at the footing. Frost footing when more than 4’ in height in my neck of the woods. I use to build them. Soil should be excavated on a 45 degree angle. Foot laid. Geo fabric place and secured on the exposed soil. Clean 3/4" gravel put in its place. Top of the aggregate covered in geofabric and secured. Growing soil and sod on top.
Having built retaining walls there is ZERO chance the home owner added drainage to the wall in the correct place (at the bottom). He would have had to disassemble the entire wall and rebuild it. As mentioned there should be geo-grid installed in a wall that tall and lot of 3/4” stone behind it. I would call out but that’s just me…. Shims in a retaining wall screams “this wasn’t done right”….
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