Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Wood Retaining wall leaning in backyard area of my home. On top of the retaining wall is a sitting area where we can see mountains and fireworks. I will get the wall inspected next Monday but can anyone provide any feedback on possible solutions or advice on what to expect? I love the pergola and hope the engineer comes back with good news
How much distance is there between your house (deck railing) and the retaining wall? It's hard to determine from your pictures. The only reason I ask is to find out if there is a way to remove the dirt from behind the wall without damaging the porch. I have a feeling that your project will not have an 'easy' fix and will be costly. Hopefully I am wrong.
I'm hoping there's a way to add drainage, remove soil, and repair the wood and everything is perfect for 10 years lol I bought the home in this condition but now trying to make sure my tenant and home is safe from any debris. Doesn't rain much in California but I think this structure was built a while back. Just hoping for the best because I enjoy the quiet time away from the kiddos
Thank you
I will look into this I'm sure it's not there. Do you think there's a way to add this to the wall to secure it or it would still need other moving parts and repairs.?
I went back and looked at the pics you linked in the thread where you posted your three choices. It looks like the pergola and hence the wall are above your house, right? Do you know what provision has been made for drainage from that hill? I'd be worried about possible seepage/leakage into the house.
My parents had a house with a similar situation and had issues every time it rained. I know your area well as I'm from there and while you don't get a lot of volume of rain for the most part, when it does, especially during the summer storms coming up from Mexico, man, it pours.
My parents solved the problem by putting in an embedded drain along the bottom of the hill on what appears, in your case, to be a walkway. That drain emptied on the driveway. A french drain would do the trick, too. I've also seen it done with drainage pipe (the kind with holes in it) embedded in the hill with outlets coming through the retaining wall. But it still needs to be dispersed when it gets to the bottom.
Good luck. Hope you'll come back and tell us what you decide to do.
Unfortunately, based on what we are seeing, the area needs to be excavated, the existing pergola, etc, need to be secured/stabilized during said wall and earth removal and the whole wood wall replaced--best with a more solid material like stone or block of some sort. Otherwise, you will continue to have the same problem with any wood (which, no matter what, does not react well to soil and water) which you might choose to install. You might even find that the back of those railroad ties is rotted away where it contacts the soil. Make sure to install the proper drainage behind and under the new wall.
Don't let a contractor talk you into "repairing" what is there. Do it right, Do it once.
I went back and looked at the pics you linked in the thread where you posted your three choices. It looks like the pergola and hence the wall are above your house, right? Do you know what provision has been made for drainage from that hill? I'd be worried about possible seepage/leakage into the house.
My parents had a house with a similar situation and had issues every time it rained. I know your area well as I'm from there and while you don't get a lot of volume of rain for the most part, when it does, especially during the summer storms coming up from Mexico, man, it pours.
My parents solved the problem by putting in an embedded drain along the bottom of the hill on what appears, in your case, to be a walkway. That drain emptied on the driveway. A french drain would do the trick, too. I've also seen it done with drainage pipe (the kind with holes in it) embedded in the hill with outlets coming through the retaining wall. But it still needs to be dispersed when it gets to the bottom.
Good luck. Hope you'll come back and tell us what you decide to do.
Great I really appreciate this information and will use it
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
