Sleeper concrete block retaining wall drainage ?

[job_bodger]

Hello, I've just dug out a foundation for a retaining wall in the back garden. I intend to build a 2 layer of 7N dense concrete block retaining wall (with vertical dpm and backfill) of approximately 80cm in height 11 meter long with horizontal railway sleepers lying infront. I intend to lay a land drain behind the wall. Is this enough drainage ?

I don't really want to use weep holes because it wil spoil the look of the sleeper? Can anyone forsee any problems ?

thanks

[seanandruby]

as long as the drain has an outlet should be fine. wont the weep holes be hidden by the sleepers?

[job_bodger]

Yes,they would be hidden but I wasn't keen on a permanent source of water lying behind the sleepers. I thought they may be inclined to rot.


Also, I'm having the foundation poured in tomorrow. Could anyone tell me how soon I can build on it?
thanks

[job_bodger]

Foundation went in today. Then it rained and rained and rained and now I have a moat made of concrete and water. Thank you lord

[matt h]

must have been really bad in a past life. Hopefully it,ll be able to dry out over the next few days:)

[seanandruby]

.....Welcome to the wonderful world of building constructioin and drainage :laugh:

[Tony McC]

The rear of any retaining wall, whether it's build of sleepers, brick, anchor blocks or anything else, should be back-filled with free-draining material so that it isn't possible for water to build-up.

If you don't provide weep holes, nature will, and they probably won't be where you'd like them to be.

[job_bodger]

Tony , are you saying I need weep holes ASWELL as the land drain ?

cheers

[Tony McC]

Not necessarily, but it's always a good idea, just in case owt goes wrong with the collector drain.