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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:54 pm
by 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

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:07 am
by seanandruby
as long as the drain has an outlet should be fine. wont the weep holes be hidden by the sleepers?

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:20 am
by 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

Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:43 pm
by 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

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:41 am
by matt h
must have been really bad in a past life. Hopefully it,ll be able to dry out over the next few days:)

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:24 am
by seanandruby
.....Welcome to the wonderful world of building constructioin and drainage :laugh:

Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:33 pm
by 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.

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:47 pm
by job_bodger
Tony , are you saying I need weep holes ASWELL as the land drain ?

cheers

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:40 am
by Tony McC
Not necessarily, but it's always a good idea, just in case owt goes wrong with the collector drain.