Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:34 pm
My garden is about 1.2 metres higher than my neighbours.
See diagram at http://i42.tinypic.com/fdc45l.jpg
The height difference is currently retained by:
a) a buried "retaining wall" made of horizontal sleepers and vertical scaffold poles, of unknown strength.
b) a wooden fence, which is bending under the strain. It's not clear whether this is just due to the soil between it and the sleeper wall, or whether the sleeper wall has also moved.
Originally the garden sloped down to the fence, but a previous owner has levelled the garden with several tonnes of clay, which seems to be a little unstable with some movement.
Ideally I'd like a block retaining wall or similar built fairly close to the boundary, but I'm concerned that the neighbours' tree roots would be damaged. Builders who have come to look at the site seem reluctant to quote, possibly due to the movement and the proximity of the house. Access is also limited.
A structural engineer that I've paid to inspect the site has suggested removing the sleeper/scaffold wall, and regrading the garden to stable angle. Decking would be installed over the resulting excavation.
I've spoken to the neighbours, and they're currently quite relaxed.
Any thoughts on my options?
Given the proximity of the house, what sort of written guarantees should I seek from the enginneer that his plans will not result in further movement or damage to the house?
I'm thinking of carefully excavating between the sleeper wall and the fence, to reduce the load on the fence until the permanent fix, and also allow the sleeper wall to be inspected. Does this sound risky?
The fence is 10 metres long. Any ideas on approximate costs of the various options?
Thanks
See diagram at http://i42.tinypic.com/fdc45l.jpg
The height difference is currently retained by:
a) a buried "retaining wall" made of horizontal sleepers and vertical scaffold poles, of unknown strength.
b) a wooden fence, which is bending under the strain. It's not clear whether this is just due to the soil between it and the sleeper wall, or whether the sleeper wall has also moved.
Originally the garden sloped down to the fence, but a previous owner has levelled the garden with several tonnes of clay, which seems to be a little unstable with some movement.
Ideally I'd like a block retaining wall or similar built fairly close to the boundary, but I'm concerned that the neighbours' tree roots would be damaged. Builders who have come to look at the site seem reluctant to quote, possibly due to the movement and the proximity of the house. Access is also limited.
A structural engineer that I've paid to inspect the site has suggested removing the sleeper/scaffold wall, and regrading the garden to stable angle. Decking would be installed over the resulting excavation.
I've spoken to the neighbours, and they're currently quite relaxed.
Any thoughts on my options?
Given the proximity of the house, what sort of written guarantees should I seek from the enginneer that his plans will not result in further movement or damage to the house?
I'm thinking of carefully excavating between the sleeper wall and the fence, to reduce the load on the fence until the permanent fix, and also allow the sleeper wall to be inspected. Does this sound risky?
The fence is 10 metres long. Any ideas on approximate costs of the various options?
Thanks
