ᐅ Retaining Higher-Level Neighboring Properties: L-Shaped Retaining Walls and Tips

Are there any sketches or plans from the contractor regarding the support proposal?

gutentag schrieb:

How deep do the existing retaining walls extend?

Could you please provide a sketch of the current structure? Exactly where and how deep they have already been installed. Are the bottom edges of the L-shaped blocks exposed yet? Photo?

So let’s work on finding a solution to the problem.

But we need more information for that.

To prevent the surface from sinking, nothing has been excavated yet. On both the south and west sides, a roughly 1m (3 feet) deep strip of soil has been left in place.

The retaining blocks on the south side are about 1m (3 feet) deep up to the middle; beyond that, there are only border blocks.

I will try to make a sketch of that.

gutentag schrieb:

Are there any sketches or plans from the contractor regarding the support proposal?

The landscaping contractors were on site and inspected it, but so far I have not received any drawings from anyone. Only written quotes.

I tried to sketch how it currently looks.

Purple = angle retaining walls
Blue = curbstones

At the corner directly next to the "neighbor’s driveway," the angle stones are placed with the foot pointing towards our property, leaving one stone slightly exposed. The angle stones extend only about halfway along the driveway; from there, 20-30cm (8-12 inches) curbstones continue.

On the south side, the angle retaining walls with the foot are not placed on our property. For about 8 meters (26 feet) out of 22.5 meters (74 feet), the angle retaining walls have a depth of 1 meter (3.3 feet). After that, only 20-30cm (8-12 inches) curbstones are used for the remainder.

I would design the retaining wall so that you also have raised garden beds. It requires a bit more depth, but smaller stones might be more cost-effective (at least that was the case for some friends). This way, you get your perennial beds, vegetable patch, herb garden, and raspberry plant at a comfortable height for your back. You probably won’t use more space than a wall plus plants alone. Additionally, the wall will look a bit more inviting.

What are the disadvantages of exposed concrete blocks?

With a proper foundation and reinforcement, you can easily build up to 1.5 meters (5 feet).

But don’t use anthracite color—it tends to leach lime and causes white stains.

tomtom79 schrieb:

What are the disadvantages of exposed concrete blocks?

There is basically nothing against it. The only question is whether they hold up as well as, for example, angle supports.

Circled in red, this was an alternative offered to me by one of the landscape builders.