ᐅ Retaining Higher-Level Neighboring Properties: L-Shaped Retaining Walls and Tips
Created on: 27 Feb 2021 14:31
J
jaenno1
Hello everyone,
I need your expertise. Due to the new elevation of our new build, I have to retain neighboring properties that are higher. The required retaining height would be 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 feet).
My first choice was concrete retaining walls (L-shaped blocks), but I cannot install the footings pointing towards the neighbors, as this would significantly encroach on their land.
Do you have any ideas, tips, or alternatives for me?
Best regards
jaenno1
I need your expertise. Due to the new elevation of our new build, I have to retain neighboring properties that are higher. The required retaining height would be 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 feet).
My first choice was concrete retaining walls (L-shaped blocks), but I cannot install the footings pointing towards the neighbors, as this would significantly encroach on their land.
Do you have any ideas, tips, or alternatives for me?
Best regards
jaenno1
Yes and no, this is one of four neighboring plots, and yes, we would need to retain the wall because we will be digging about 70cm (28 inches) deeper, down to the base of the current wall. All other neighboring plots located along the length are only about 30cm (12 inches) higher than the wall.
I will try to take a photo around midday today.
I will try to take a photo around midday today.
What speaks against a steep planted slope? A 1:2 gradient will definitely work, although you will lose 1.5m (5 feet) of horizontal space. Is the area really that tight?
If necessary, a natural stone wall in front would work. 70 cm (28 inches) is certainly not the same as 1.5 m (5 feet).
If necessary, a natural stone wall in front would work. 70 cm (28 inches) is certainly not the same as 1.5 m (5 feet).
jaenno1 schrieb:
We would need to support the wall because we are going 70cm (28 inches) deeper. Phew, looking at the photo and assuming the fence on top of the wall is a standard 80cm (31 inches) wooden fence, the wall underneath is probably just under one meter (about 3 feet) high. Adding the 70cm (28 inches) height difference means you would need 2.05-meter (6 feet 9 inches) L-shaped retaining blocks to achieve even minimal soil coverage. That’s quite an investment buried there, only to end up looking at a concrete wall 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) high with an 80cm (31 inches) picket fence sitting on top. It’s not a very appealing sight. And it will take years for plants to grow and soften that appearance. For cost reasons and a more pleasant aesthetic, I would seriously consider a sloped embankment with attractive planting instead. One more thing: how close together are the houses? If the neighbors all sit higher around you, it always looks strange—and I wouldn’t like everyone watching my dining table from their windows saying, “Look, Horst, there’s fish next door again!”
To be honest, I can hardly see the described problem in the picture!
Are you still below the existing wall? Are you excavating it, or how is that happening? You can’t just expose the wall like that, can you? Or is it already standing higher than where you are?
Sorry, but I don’t quite understand.
If everyone has this slope, roughly perpendicular to your house, then you level your garden down to your higher-lying neighbor and undermine their existing retaining wall. Correct me if I’m wrong!
In my view, that’s the beginning of the higher property’s problem. Then you have two stacked walls... won’t those collapse? Or am I mistaken here?
How have the others solved this? How wide is the piece of land you’re working on?
I would consider building a raised bed or a terraced garden here – that’s definitely better than something like a tall concrete wall!
jaenno1 schrieb:
and yes, we need to support the wall because we will dig 70cm (28 inches) deeper down to the base of the current wall.
Are you still below the existing wall? Are you excavating it, or how is that happening? You can’t just expose the wall like that, can you? Or is it already standing higher than where you are?
Sorry, but I don’t quite understand.
If everyone has this slope, roughly perpendicular to your house, then you level your garden down to your higher-lying neighbor and undermine their existing retaining wall. Correct me if I’m wrong!
In my view, that’s the beginning of the higher property’s problem. Then you have two stacked walls... won’t those collapse? Or am I mistaken here?
jaenno1 schrieb:
Not exactly, that’s one of four neighboring properties.
How have the others solved this? How wide is the piece of land you’re working on?
I would consider building a raised bed or a terraced garden here – that’s definitely better than something like a tall concrete wall!
Mostly correct, in parts 😉. The photo shows an example of what not to do. As described, the gardens to the right and left of it, running lengthwise along our property, are not built up so heavily. One neighbor only did this to level his entire garden.
These are always the rearmost boundaries of the neighboring properties. The neighbors’ houses are about 1.5 m (5 feet) higher and approximately 20 m (65 feet) away from the boundary. Since the entire area slopes down toward a distant ditch, it is all on a hillside, resulting in this unusual topography.
Regarding the neighbor with the wall, I am already considering simply filling in that area since our new garage will be positioned 1.1 m (3.6 feet) from the property line. This would save me from having to install a complex slope stabilization. Essentially, the garage would then act as a retaining wall for his garden.
A slope is an option, of course, but it limits the possible depth of my property and slopes down toward the lower house. I don’t find that very appealing. However—and this has to be seen after rough profiling—I don’t want to drink my coffee by a fence made of concrete.
These are always the rearmost boundaries of the neighboring properties. The neighbors’ houses are about 1.5 m (5 feet) higher and approximately 20 m (65 feet) away from the boundary. Since the entire area slopes down toward a distant ditch, it is all on a hillside, resulting in this unusual topography.
Regarding the neighbor with the wall, I am already considering simply filling in that area since our new garage will be positioned 1.1 m (3.6 feet) from the property line. This would save me from having to install a complex slope stabilization. Essentially, the garage would then act as a retaining wall for his garden.
A slope is an option, of course, but it limits the possible depth of my property and slopes down toward the lower house. I don’t find that very appealing. However—and this has to be seen after rough profiling—I don’t want to drink my coffee by a fence made of concrete.
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