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Stone Retaining Wall drainage
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Posted by iinsic MI (My Page) on Wed, Mar 23, 05 at 8:35
| We have some moderately serious grading issues we are trying to resolve. The back of our yard slopes 5-6 ft down over approx 12 ft where is flattens out for the last 10-12 ft to the house. We will be raising the grade from the house to the main slope and plan on cutting into that slope and having a stone retaining wall built out of small boulders.
We've gotten several quotes on getting the job done. Interestingly, when the "Unilock" type retaining walls were discussed, the contractors all mentioned installing a drain at the base of the wall to move the water away. In the boulder plans, the contractors don't include this and indicate that that type of wall doesn't require the same type of drainage system. The last two said that the combination of the improved grading and the retaining wall will create a valley that will move the water to a low spot away from the house naturally.
Because I am a novice at these things, should I insist on drain tile at the base of a boulder wall in the same manner as proposed with a Unilock wall? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Stone Retaining Wall drainage
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Are you talking about a drainline behind the wall at its base, or infront. If behind, which is the norm to alleviate any water pressure that collects and could push the wall over, especially with the tight fitting blocks. It is not as important with natural rock since the fit is much looser. But there is nothing wrong with over building and protecting the structure. Just make sure that either wall is backfilled about 6" from top to bottom with drain rock. That is the most important part!
Hope this helps! |
RE: Stone Retaining Wall drainage
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| Thanks for the advice. I was thinking about the drain behind, as I'd seen in many diagrams of the block walls. I'm with you, if it doesn't add a ton of money to the project, there's no harm in adding a drain to the stone wall as additional precaution. |
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