Root damage

moneyistooshorttomention

zaax wrote: »

Ascertain in by looking at both deeds to find our who owns the wall, and possibly the wall fell down because simple walls are not built to keep soil etc. in The retaining wall have to be either / and stepped and / or reinforced.

Guessing that "stepped" means two or more terraces?

What visible signs would there be if a wall had been "reinforced"? Would there be any?

cyclonebri1

!!!!!! wrote: »

Reading the OP it sounds as though it was never a retaining wall but the neighbour has increased his garden level by infilling against the wall.

I think Gardenlaw is your best bet as suggested.

I think you are reading it wrong, there is nothing in his post to suggest that. "his house stands a good feet higher than mine" was what the op actually said, it stands that the garden does too?

cyclonebri1

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Would it be possible to give details/images of what is meant by a "weeping drain"?

Would it be possible to explain more about "heave and slump and freeze loadings"?

Ok, a weeping drain;

Down at foundation level you will eventually have a slab about twice the width of the base of the wall. On this step as the wall is built a drain is constructed. Pee shingle for a few inches then a corrugated and perforated pipe is laid and shingle again laid over. This allows any water that collects at low level to escape into said pipe and be evacuated to wherever.

As the infill continues as the wall is built, free draining gravel/chipping etc are built up next to the wall, (this is all on the high side of course), It's too ensure there isn't water logging at the point it could damage the wall

Water on the high side will try to push your wall over.

Ground swells when wet, heave, this again tries to push over your wall, it shrinks when very dry, I call it slump. This can create a gap against the wal, which can fill with earth or other stuff. When it wets again there is extra push on your wall,

Freezing temps over a period of time will expand the earth possibly down to 18” depth, if sodden pre freeze that is sufficient to push and crack the wall.

What you are trying to do by installing the drain is to keep the ground conditions constant at all times of the year to prevent any significant movement.

I had exactly your issue as I explained earlier, mu next door is 3ft higher than me and yes. It was my boundary. It's unusual as the retaining wall is normally owned by the upper house.


You/ the OP needs to be very aware that the Party Wall Act comes into play here, I suggest you read up on it and come to an informal but written agreement with the neighbours.

Hope that helps

Banquo

You've all been really helpful. Thank you .

It certainly doesn't look like a properly built retaining wall from what's been described.