Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - retaining wall drainage

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bruceinga
10-12-09, 02:03 PM
I don't know if this should be posted here or under landscaping. My home is near the crest of a hill, probably about 30 feet from the crest. There is a 4 foot retaining brick wall and then about 6 feet of pea gravel and then my garage. After the the last heavy rain the water was running over the wall, going underground and then into my basement. There are few weep holes and there must have been a tremendous amount of water behind the wall because the weep holes were spouting out water like a water faucet.
My question is this, what type of pipe or other device should I install above the retaining wall to collect the water and drain it away from the house?
I've drilled several more 3/8 inch weep holes in the wall below my home. This should help some but I believe I still need something above the wall.
Thanks in advance.


chandler
10-12-09, 04:06 PM
Man, what we had a few weeks ago beats all records! Peachtree creek was over 22' at least. Have they opened Thornton Rd. yet? We sent mission crews down to Austell to deliver supplies.
But to your question, Under the crown of the retaining wall there is usually installed 4" perf pipe on a bed of pea gravel. It travels the length of the wall and is covered with pea gravel. Depending on the lay of the land, it can turn and take the water down and away from the wall, say onto your driveway if it is sloped away. That would normally take care of rain water. It wouldn't have taken care of what you got, though. It was too much!

Larry

bruceinga
10-12-09, 04:28 PM
Thanks for your reply Larry. I've lived in this house six years and two weeks ago was the first water I've had in the basement.
I know what you mean about the 4" pipe but I don't see any water excaping except for the one weep hole.
We had 2 inches of rain this morning and I find more water in the basement.
After posting my first post I went back out and think that some of the water may be from a downspout. I put another section of downspout on it to extend it away from the house.
With more rain expected later this week we'll see if that helped. I'm hoping with the 8 other weep holes and the downspout I won't have water in the basement.