swankypants69 Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 First time poster looking for a bit of advice We have had a builder build a number of retaining walls in our garden The finished walls are faced in reclaimed sandstone, and they are approx 3 feet in height, some areas slightly higher due to the sloping nature of the land. They are retaining large sections of earth. We are a little concerned as they have only been built single skin with blocks as can be seen Any thoughts from anyone with more experience than ourselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu w Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Looking at what they are holding back, blocks on the flat amd some drainage holes would of been better 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Blobby Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 (edited) It should have a drainiage ditch against it filled with stones wrapped in geotextile with a drain at the bottom. The geotextile will stop the drain clogging up. I agree with comments above block flat, wider at the bottom. Single skin without any drain is not good I think. For extra points paint the back of the blocks with bitumin paint and/or seal with a membrane to keep out moisture and protect any finish on the blocks. Edited April 30 by Mr Blobby 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Nope that'll fall over in a couple years. The mortar looks rather sandy. For below ground it needs to be 3:1. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Lower wall approx 3 foot tall, 8 foot of garden to next wall Upper wall approx 2.5 foot tall, then approx 10 metres of sloping garden to back wall (not pictured) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Confused. First picture is walls being built, without their facing stone? Last picture in post above is finished walls, with the stone front, and filled in and grass growing. So some time later? It's a bit late to ask if they are okay then? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Just now, ProDave said: Confused. First picture is walls being built, without their facing stone? Last picture in post above is finished walls, with the stone front, and filled in and grass growing. So some time later? It's a bit late to ask if they are okay then? You are correct, it’s all done and finished, I just posted first photo to show single skin block wall Its too late to do anything now 😂😂😂😂 We aren’t builders/landscapers so assumed things were being done well But apparently not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 All you can do now is wait and hope. If it does start moving now, you know why. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 I guess I was just looking for confirmation as to whether it looks like it’s been done to a good safe standard I had a Google and I had read that over 450mm high, blocks should be lay on side or double skin I was unsure as to whether the sandstone facing provided structural support and would almost class as a second skin, as like I say I’m not a builder or landscaper. I’m pretty decent with Google tho 😂😂😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 How deep is the stone skin? Is it tied in? The 2 skins together might make a fair wall. I remember when building my not-much-more-than-1200mm retaining wall to an SE's dwg it was (/felt) HUGE at the base (?685mm?). Remember thinking that if I really wanted to survive a war I could just try burrowing behind the wall. What you show looks very spindly in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 29 minutes ago, Redbeard said: I’m not sure if it’s tied in or the depth of the stone facing if I’m entirely honest Like I say just a bit concerned that block wall is only single skin, whilst retaining a lot of earth Fingers crossed it holds up as too late to make any changes now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve06 Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 It may be prudent to have an independant structural surveyor write a report for you. Show them images of the build process if possible, along with the written quote from the builder. Explain to them your concerns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted May 1 Author Share Posted May 1 6 hours ago, Steve06 said: It may be prudent to have an independant structural surveyor write a report for you. Show them images of the build process if possible, along with the written quote from the builder. Explain to them your concerns. Quote didn’t have a lot of detail unfortunately I guess there’s lot of specifics that are now probably unknown/buried I was thinking of looking at getting independent report done I don’t have a lot of confidence that it’s going to last, only time will tell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twice round the block Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 Should look like this and then lay concrete blocks on their side, plus engineering bricks below ground level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted May 2 Author Share Posted May 2 3 hours ago, twice round the block said: Should look like this and then lay concrete blocks on their side, plus engineering bricks below ground level Yeah I’m thinking that as a minimum the blocks should have been laid on the side. Seems to be reoccurring feedback. Bit frustrating that it hasn’t been done properly first time round. We will just have to see how it lasts……… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 My front garden retaining wall ('inherited' as quite new in 1987) was, I am sure, built as cheaply as it could be, inline with all other 'renovations on the house. I am convinced it is 225 brick only, and it retains between 1200 and 1800 over about 10+m. It has no weep holes, and it's fine. It shouldn't be, but it is, and if (as per my earlier Q) you wall is actually as strong as 112 brick and (??) 100-150 stone then it may fare as well as mine still is. I suspect mine will last till after I am dead, which is all I need. Is that stone laid dry, or can I see recessed mortar? That (given I cannot see a batter or 'lean-back') may be an important issue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swankypants69 Posted May 2 Author Share Posted May 2 2 minutes ago, Redbeard said: My front garden retaining wall ('inherited' as quite new in 1987) was, I am sure, built as cheaply as it could be, inline with all other 'renovations on the house. I am convinced it is 225 brick only, and it retains between 1200 and 1800 over about 10+m. It has no weep holes, and it's fine. It shouldn't be, but it is, and if (as per my earlier Q) you wall is actually as strong as 112 brick and (??) 100-150 stone then it may fare as well as mine still is. I suspect mine will last till after I am dead, which is all I need. Is that stone laid dry, or can I see recessed mortar? That (given I cannot see a batter or 'lean-back') may be an important issue. Yeah it’s not just dry stack stone It is I guessed mortared to the block I don’t think there’s any lean-back at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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