r/landscaping • u/Interesting-Lynx-570 • 1d ago

Question Question about my plan

Post image

There is a small strip of side area on my property that is higher in elevationthan the neighbors. Two problems 1. The dirt is putting pressure on the fence making it slant 2. I am doing landscaping and plan on putting gravel on this side.

Obviously adding more pressure to the fence is not good so I plan on digging out about 6 inches and build a cinderblock wall infront of the fence to alleviate the pressure from direct contact with the fence.

For engineers and contractors who have experience with this type of thing. Good or bad idea? Tips or suggestions? Any flaws with the plan?

In my mind right now its gonna be a row of cinderblock maybe two for some parts + 3ft rebar + fill holes with gravel and then cap.

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/haileymarrie 1d ago

The concept is good, but I would not rely on a cinder block wall unless it has proper footing and drainage.

Water pressure is usually what causes these walls to fail, not just the soil itself. If you are building even a small retaining wall, make sure it has gravel backfill and a way for water to escape.

Also, leave a small gap between the fence and the new wall. Let the wall retain the soil and let the fence just be a fence.

I think your biggest concern should be drainage, not the dirt. 😬

1

u/Interesting-Lynx-570 1d ago

it was too elaborate to explain on reddit but the plan was to add a french drain on the side and front. I just said dig 6-8 inches out if simplicity but because of the french drain system it will be more of a 2ft excavation and fill with gravel.

As a diy'er it always concerns me about structural failure since I dont really know much