Pool, retaining wall and deck

[snooks]

Here is a web site with pictures of our summer project. Pool Project . There is still some finish work to be done, but the major portion of the project is complete. Note the Well top in the second picture. I began digging and uncovered an old well, so we moved the pool further done the hill and enlarged the deck plans. I then put a pump on the well for watering flowers and ect... Makes for nice conversation too. I plan to put roof over old upper deck and install railing. Hill was dug out with YM2500 with loader. I was really happy with the tractors ability to move the dirt. The tiller was nice for getting the yard back in shape too.

 

[theonlybull]

nice work. looks like you had fun /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Snooks that is a very nice looking project. I have never used the retaining block like you show in your pictures and i have an upcoming project for a retaining wall that I would like to start next spring. Is it easy to use? Did you use a transit to get the bottom course level?

 

[snooks]

Thanks PineRidge and theonlybull. The blocks are easy to install once the first row is set. My brother-in-law has a laser level and he got me started. The blocks I used are 4" tall, 6" deep and 8" wide. The recommendation is to use these upto 30" or so. I actually pushed this to 40" at the max point because the next block size is much larger and I didn't want to deal with the large blocks. Besides the walls of the well will help keep presure off the front part of the wall and the corners are curved which I believe will add stregth. After that, the wall drops with the grade and the height is no longer a problem. I put small gravel behind it and then some landscape fabric to keep the dirt out of the rock. I also put plastic tile behind the wall although it might be over kill. The blocks drain nicely during a rain. I have seen water coming through the cracks since they are simply dry set. Once the first row is set, the rest goes rather quickly. My 14 year old son and 16 year old daughter set one side while I worked on the other. They actually did a better job than I did /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

I have a neighbor who used the same blocks for flower beds and retaining walls. He did his about ten years ago and actually went about 48" high. While his still looks good and he has had no problems, I believe that is really pushing this size of block.

 

[PineRidge]

Snooks the wall I need to build won't be much higher than 30 to 36 inches but there will be some water meeting the backside of it after a rain. I was thinking of using the flex perf pipe with a sock to keep it from plugging with silt and run it to a catch basin box. From the catch box I was going to run non perf-pipe and divert it to my pond.

 

[Junkman]

use the rigid PVC holy pipe. It is much better than the black plastic with the small slits in it. The sock is a good idea also.... experience talking.....

 

[BRL]

I can't get the pictures link to open, but I'm guessing we are talking about Segmental Retaining Wall blocks. Most of the manufacturers of these have very good detailed instructions as to how they should be installed. It is not necessarily the size of the blocks, but how they are installed that will utlimately dictate how much of a load they can handle. The drainage stuff mentioned was not overkill at all, especially considering that that wall was constructed at a higher height than the manufacturer recommends without an engineer getting involved to ensure it is designed correctly. Ditto Junkman's comments about using rigid drain pipe. Here are a couple of manufacturers of these types of walls sites to check out. There are many more also.
http://www.versa-lok.com/
http://www.keystonewalls.com
http://www.risistone.com/

 

[snooks]

I don't remember the name brand, but appears to be the same type of block. The web page isn't loading today as my web host is having problems. Not often that this happens, but today has been bad. I appologize for the problem, but it is out of my control (that is unless I find a new host for my web site). /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PineRidge]

BRL there is a lot of good info there for building a stone retaining wall, thanks for posting it. I want to kick my project off for spring so I can brush up on the way it should be done in the meantime. I'll also keep in mind the solid drain pipe with the holes for drainage. Thanks to all that posted tips for drainage problems as well.