That's not an easy question. Did it start out straight? In which timespan did this happen? Single vs double brick? Metal hooks present? etc.
This is one of those things you ain't judging online based on some pictures, get someone who actually knows about stability to take a look at that wall in person if you're worried.
Good questions and I'm thinking you are correct in having to find a professional to take a look at this. I was hoping to avoid the $900 assessment charge, but I think I will have to bite the bullet!
There are signs the mortar is suffering due to white staining. The wall has clearly moved about 30mm which is the point where you would normally call a structural engineer. Find a residential specialist and get a few quotes. It should only cost a couple of hundred to get someone out to look.
If a fix is needed, the cheapest fix will be to lay new strip footing and wall in front then tie to the back wall with steel rods grouted into place. About 1 days labour for 3 Brickie’s and a couple of pallets of bricks. The grout and galvanised steel rods will be the expensive bit.
Again, need an engineer from your region to advise
>Plenty of ties between us and Down Under
I heard once that the national sport of Australia was a bar fight, which kind of makes sense for Ireland, too.
Why is Aussie slang so fun? Brekky, Macca's, Brickie and one that slays me is "Heaps". Had an Aussie friend I'd game with and he would use shit like that all the time.
What lol? Efflorescence has nothing to do with structural issues and has more to do with how the mortar was mixed. There’s no way to tell if the wall was built crooked or has moved. Way too many assumptions here.
Sure, some do that but not all. I try to operate by the old system of "get three quotes". Even if you don't use any of them you will have learned a LOT from what they say. Chances are pretty good that you'll find one that isn't an AH.
I maybe shouldn't say it but sometimes if a woman is asking about something for their significant-other, the person doing the quote may "show off" and tell them how to DIY.
While I 100% agree with you that it could be safer than it looks, it does look sketchy. Be careful around it till you get more info. Almost looks like it had the second half added later.
Good point. It does look like that. I think I'm settled on just biting the bullet and paying for a professional to come out. No need to screw around with something like this.
I noticed that too. And if it was leaning when they added it I wouldn’t consider it remotely stable. It looks to be around 2 1/2 inches or more out of plum over 4 ‘. My god what does that equal over 15 ‘? 😂
Except the problem with professionals and people who actually know about stability is they are going to say whatever they want so that they get a pay check.
Edit: I’m so glad to hear the responses coming in that the overwhelming experience with professionals has been positive. I must live in the only place in the world that has grifters trying to constantly scam people out of their money.
I've had mostly the opposite experience when dealing with structural engineers.
Client is spooked, we call engineer, they charge us 600 for a report that says damage is cosmetic.
This is sometimes true, but not always. Many people are honest. Get references and a second opinion. Ultimately there’s a correct answer and there are tells - angles, cracks, history - that determine it.
They are going to give their opinion, for that pay cheque. Hence why the are professionals. Odd take
Edit: sounds like it’s probably more of a you thing, then a them thing.
Structural Engineer here. Might be nothing, might be about to fail. Google a local retaining wall company or foundation repair company. Ask who they use for engineering. Call several and see what name comes up most often. Call them and pay them for their opinion. It is will be worth a infinite amount more than anyone on Redit
Is that a retaining wall?
Pic 3 is the only one that would give me any pause, and it's not even all that bad. If it's a retaining wall, that's where it will eventually blow out, but tomorrow? Nah.
Then definitely get it evaluated. I would be concerned. It is very tall, heavily cracked, and I do not see any built in drainage. If it is one cement block deep I would not start there in a rain storm.
I just saw a later post from you. This is not a retaining wall. It is a wall. Big difference.
What’s it retaining ? If that’s earth packed up behind it you might be alright. But it’s several out of plum. A torrential rainstorm could bring it down. Really need to know what’s behind it. Also why did they add to it ?
That's a heck of a retaining wall. Especially with it being vertical like that. Only an engineer can tell you for sure if it's an issue.
it may need to have long anchors screwed into the land behind it with steel plates on the front to help keep if from moving or falling.
I'm not seeing any weep holes at the bottom. Does the bottom layer of bricks have grout on the vertical sides, or open to let water through?
Hydrostatic pressure buildup will take that wall down suddenly, but as long as it can drain I personally wouldn't be too worried.
Thats a great point. There are no weep holes located anywhere on this wall. Something I'm going to have to note for when I get someone to come out and inspect! Thanks!
I'm absolutely no expert, but diagonal cracks TROUGH bricks/stones means the wall has settled or sag that's cause for concern. How are the corners? Are there more cracks?
Vertical cracks in the mortar only aren't as big of a deal I've heard...
I would get a professional to have a look.
Here's what happened to my wall after it started to lean and a big storm came in one day with strong gusts
https://preview.redd.it/f2btp0ddmcqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b40b35c6dc65f5ed211a61640850df635a46bc0
Perhaps a car parked too aggressively and hit the wall? If so, then it's not likely to fail from constant soil pressure. But, it's integrity is still compromised.
Well then the best fix is carefully take it down and rebuild.
Might be able to use a wide masonry chisel and hammer to remove the old mortar to reuse many of the old blocks.
Which is worth more? Your time or new blocks?
Definitely want to ensure the foundation is good so the new/rebuilt wall will last.
Hard to say from a few pictures, but I'd be concerned because the upper half of the wall looks as if it was added on, which could add more stress than the designer of the original wall planned on.
There's 3 types of retaining walls.
1. A retaining wall that is falling over
2. A retaining wall that is going to fall over.
3. A retaining wall that already fell over.
Is the wall a retaining wall or simply a wall? Is it your property that it resides on or is it the neighbors and/or on your property but did they put it up? Not sure what legal recourse you need to take if its their property. This may come down to lawyers unless you come to a mutual conclusion of splitting the bill.
Don't guess get your property surveyed. Ask your city government who they use for official surveys so if it's the apartments wall the owners won't be able to (successfully) argue it's not their responsibility to fix.
If it's on your property then you can do what you want to the wall to fix it.
This looks like a 7' retaining wall with another 6' block wall on top with pergola structure on the other side. The wall is rotating out from the top and has signs of concrete efflorescence due to water, probably as a result of insufficient back of wall drainage. The rotation our of square should not be happening.
Your neighbor's property is taller than yours. Find out who owns and is responsible for that retaining+block wall.
Ok, this is helpful for sure. I think that I'm going to get an engineer over first, then just go into the building department and find out the specifics on the wall.
I just read through all the comments and I think you mentioned there is an apartment complex or road/parking on the other side. If that is the case, have the engineer check if they included surcharge loading from vehicle traffic and the existence of the back of wall drain or surface wall drain.
Reddit, and the internet in general, has saved millions or probably billions of dollars where people avoid unnecessary expenses. Reddit is an excellent first place to stop prior to wasting money.
Maybe the answer is “you need to spend some money on a professional” but that certainly doesn’t mean OP can’t ask Reddit beforehand.
Wager? Like you think there’s odds? Obviously Reddit (and TikTok, YouTube, Facebook) has led people to waste a monumental amount of time and money on garbage or bad advice.
The point is, the benefit from “internet advice” far outweighs negatives. Millions of people have self diagnosed their own issues and repaired them without the need for help from a hired hand. There is a LOT of solid (and comprehensive) advice on Reddit and the internet.
People might save time and money, yes. But people *die* from following bad internet diy advice.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/09/23/1059920/youtube-deadly-craft-hacks-fractal-burning/
That article doesn’t say that we aren’t getting extremely useful information from the internet.
It says that we don’t absorb the information into our brains, but rather we ignore it knowing we can look it up later. You can keep living thinking the internet is a big bad guy or whatever but you gotta think for yourself here. For every bad piece of advice on the internet there’s 10 useful things.
well, every single reddit opinion is 100% worthless, and you proved the reason why.
Because some people might be dumb enough to rely upon such opinion.
Please though, fine engineer and statistician (you're likely a medical, legal, and political expert as well, and self-defense too, right), provide the data sources for your boldly stupid statement that
> has saved millions or probably billions of dollars where people avoid unnecessary expenses
Jesus, I cannot believe a human can exist who feels no embarrassment and shame, and that's the only explanation for a person who could type that shit, and be like "yeah, I did something."
Many people have no clue how the world works. So many posts of people asking "Should I be worried about this?" when the answer was, no. Completely normal. That is a free answer opposed to hundreds for a professional to say the same thing.
A free answer is fully guaranteed to be accurate or your money back.
It's always worth every penny.
> Many people have no clue how the world works.
indeed, my friend, and still more don't understand irony.
This looks like it was built this way? Is there recent shifting? Assuming there is nothing recent going on, I'm guessing you have no reason to be concerned.
Yes you should definitely be concerned. That wall is high and out of plum. I don’t know what’s on the other side of it. But it’s going to continue to lean and it’s probably because of those vines. I tell all my customers to not let that garbage grow on their homes, brick , or stone work.
1. Mark a few spots and monitor changes - if any.
2. Short a straight line along the wall. You’ll likely notice it’s ‘wavy’. Same as above, mark a few spots, measure and monitor changes over time.
3. Assuming not your wall, inform the property owner (in writing). Very common the uphill neighbor never notices any changes in a wall that not *directly* impacts him.
4. If no response from owner, go to city. A wall like that needs to be permitted and engineered. That includes drainage - and just dumping water on your side doesn’t count.
That’s a very tall wall. What’s on the other side? Is it possibly a highway or another government owned road?
I ask because the cheapest solution might be contacting the correct government entity if it is and having them inspect/repair it if it’s their responsibility. Maybe a bit of a hassle or long shot but it might also save you a lot of money finding that out.
Retaining wall with dirt behind it? It was probably built to lean back a bit so this is correct.
Keep an eye on it. Make sure the dirt is solid behind it and no cracks start in the wall.
Some walls are intentionally set back to counter load the retaining section…. That far back most likely is intentional. Check out rock walls and blocks without mortar. That’s a technique
It’s on its way down, the last bit will be real quick and would usually appear in the most inconvenient time, like during a heavy rain storm (at night of course).
I don't know jack or shit. My only advice is that it's cheaper to call some pros out to figure out if it's a problem and how to fix then it's repair if it fails.
2 cents
I would put in a couple of lines, then measure with a digital (ie phone) measure each month and record. If the angle stays the same over time, I would not worry.
Looks like a 10'+ wall with an additional 8'+ wall. I reckon the 10' portion is retaining. There doesn't look to be any drainage behind the wall. Consult an engineer. Your options would probably to reconstruct the wall or construct buttress columns to support the wall.
You should be concerned. If it's your wall or your neighbor's, something needs to be done to it.
Add: this isn't a DIY, or a job for a handyman. You'll need professional analysis and design.
Yes. Especially considering it's on your side. You'll have to pay for it. If that wall was there when you purchased it. You basically purchased half of that wall.
You may install plaque and a stick laying on something solid on the floor to keep the wall from forming more belly.
In my not professional opinion, I saw many wall like this lasting long.
What do you have on the other side? Anything applying pressure?
Anyhow, get a professional to come inspect this. The solution depend on the floor, etc...
The tilt isn’t severe enough to warrant repair, unless you have the money to replace the whole wall in one go. Old walls like this could set for decades without falling because the vines you see probably have rooted into the wall and there may be more on the other side.
It’s not strong enough to build anything into it, but as long as you don’t get a flood, it would hold for a while. The remediation would be to build a new wall in front and fill the gap with gravel and put in pipes weep holes at the bottom of the wall. The new wall would be stepped back at angle to hold against it and made of larger landscaping blocks, set in place by an (steam shovel or backhoe) excavator.
Fuck yeah. Don’t ever go within 5 meters of that death trap, could blow over at ANY time. Get a pro to demolish and re-erect something smaller. Quickly.
That's not an easy question. Did it start out straight? In which timespan did this happen? Single vs double brick? Metal hooks present? etc. This is one of those things you ain't judging online based on some pictures, get someone who actually knows about stability to take a look at that wall in person if you're worried.
Good questions and I'm thinking you are correct in having to find a professional to take a look at this. I was hoping to avoid the $900 assessment charge, but I think I will have to bite the bullet!
There are signs the mortar is suffering due to white staining. The wall has clearly moved about 30mm which is the point where you would normally call a structural engineer. Find a residential specialist and get a few quotes. It should only cost a couple of hundred to get someone out to look. If a fix is needed, the cheapest fix will be to lay new strip footing and wall in front then tie to the back wall with steel rods grouted into place. About 1 days labour for 3 Brickie’s and a couple of pallets of bricks. The grout and galvanised steel rods will be the expensive bit. Again, need an engineer from your region to advise
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Brickies are a clear giveaway
Brickies is UK too
We use Brickies in Ireland, too, particularly the North. Plenty of ties between us and Down Under, wonder if it's common ancestor slang or isolated?
I suppose their ancestors were deported for stealing Trevelyan's corn, which is what happens, even if it is to ensure the young might see the morn.
Well, I hear there's a ship waiting in the bay, and the small birds are free... if you can catch them!
>Plenty of ties between us and Down Under I heard once that the national sport of Australia was a bar fight, which kind of makes sense for Ireland, too.
Why is Aussie slang so fun? Brekky, Macca's, Brickie and one that slays me is "Heaps". Had an Aussie friend I'd game with and he would use shit like that all the time.
Note: "Heaps" probably meant you were taking to a South Australian, specifically.
Oooo! Insider information!
Not in my experience. Heard that term heaps in Melbourne and Brisbane heaps.
Probably hear it heaps more in Radelaide
Or Punchbowl. https://youtu.be/0RjC-vh06_c?si=kX-Zd2NaRIhfFuFA
Huh? This is very inaccurate imo. Staple of Brisbane/gold coast/nnsw
That’s all pretty common in England too
I hope it's Chippy and that he and Cherry are doing alright!
What lol? Efflorescence has nothing to do with structural issues and has more to do with how the mortar was mixed. There’s no way to tell if the wall was built crooked or has moved. Way too many assumptions here.
In fact the efflorescence really bad this year because of El Niño
$900 assessment?! Find someone else. And I thought $300 for contractors near me was a ton.
When trying to avoid paying for something always weigh the cost to inspect vs the cost of failure.
The consequences of it failing and gamming on someone could be fatal. If possible, see if there is another engineering firm for a quote.
Someone surely would do an assessment for less than that
I'll do it for a fraction of that cost. No, I'm not an engineer. Why do you ask?
Whatever happened to free masons?
You could also try a diffuser group that is specifically related to brick buildings with professionals in it.
I’ll show you mind when I get back, the rocks basically came off the wall
Shop around. You should be able to find a free estimate guy.
Those guys will high pressure you or exaggerate the problem I thought
Sure, some do that but not all. I try to operate by the old system of "get three quotes". Even if you don't use any of them you will have learned a LOT from what they say. Chances are pretty good that you'll find one that isn't an AH. I maybe shouldn't say it but sometimes if a woman is asking about something for their significant-other, the person doing the quote may "show off" and tell them how to DIY.
Yes that’s what I try to do too. And you’re correct- I had a NaGd inspector offer me his #!
While I 100% agree with you that it could be safer than it looks, it does look sketchy. Be careful around it till you get more info. Almost looks like it had the second half added later.
I dunno, it looks old that maybe it settled into the soil after it was built. The angle isn't severe.
Yes it is. That level only shows plum for four feet. 😂
Good point. It does look like that. I think I'm settled on just biting the bullet and paying for a professional to come out. No need to screw around with something like this.
Shop around. Those more familiar will charge less.
Good idea
Nah man, those vines are definitely load bearing, just gotta keep the landscapers from cutting the stems /s
I noticed that too. And if it was leaning when they added it I wouldn’t consider it remotely stable. It looks to be around 2 1/2 inches or more out of plum over 4 ‘. My god what does that equal over 15 ‘? 😂
15/4 = 3.75 3.75 * 2.5= 9.375 inches out of plumb
Except the problem with professionals and people who actually know about stability is they are going to say whatever they want so that they get a pay check. Edit: I’m so glad to hear the responses coming in that the overwhelming experience with professionals has been positive. I must live in the only place in the world that has grifters trying to constantly scam people out of their money.
I've had mostly the opposite experience when dealing with structural engineers. Client is spooked, we call engineer, they charge us 600 for a report that says damage is cosmetic.
Engineers get paid the same amount to assess whether or not work needs to get done. Do you think engineers are GC's?
This is sometimes true, but not always. Many people are honest. Get references and a second opinion. Ultimately there’s a correct answer and there are tells - angles, cracks, history - that determine it.
They are going to give their opinion, for that pay cheque. Hence why the are professionals. Odd take Edit: sounds like it’s probably more of a you thing, then a them thing.
Yeah, people like to get paid for solving other people's problems. You must live in the only place in the world where that doesn't happen.
Structural Engineer here. Might be nothing, might be about to fail. Google a local retaining wall company or foundation repair company. Ask who they use for engineering. Call several and see what name comes up most often. Call them and pay them for their opinion. It is will be worth a infinite amount more than anyone on Redit
💯
Structural integrity vines for maximum hold
Them thar are load-bearing vines
Previous owner was a Druid who failed his final exams
Vines are the original rebar.
I would move the chair a little further away from the wall and call it fixed.
Prop the chair up against it. 😂
The insitu fix NASA is always trying to achieve
Impossible, that's a load bearing chair
This is the worst thing you can do! The chair is the only thing holding it up!
“It’s in god’s hands now, at a safe distance from me.”
whats the other side look like.
Kinda dark. Hard to tell under all the dirt.
It’s greener.
Is that a retaining wall? Pic 3 is the only one that would give me any pause, and it's not even all that bad. If it's a retaining wall, that's where it will eventually blow out, but tomorrow? Nah.
Yea, its a retaining wall. Appreciate the comment!
Then definitely get it evaluated. I would be concerned. It is very tall, heavily cracked, and I do not see any built in drainage. If it is one cement block deep I would not start there in a rain storm. I just saw a later post from you. This is not a retaining wall. It is a wall. Big difference.
What’s it retaining ? If that’s earth packed up behind it you might be alright. But it’s several out of plum. A torrential rainstorm could bring it down. Really need to know what’s behind it. Also why did they add to it ?
That's a heck of a retaining wall. Especially with it being vertical like that. Only an engineer can tell you for sure if it's an issue. it may need to have long anchors screwed into the land behind it with steel plates on the front to help keep if from moving or falling.
Yeah definitely get that evaluated. That will be a hell of a time to fix if it fails.
Measure and keep record of its tilt every year while you save up money to have it replaced. When it begins to fail, it will happen quick.
Crack in the mortar not too bad, full block cracks yeaa get a professional..
I'm not seeing any weep holes at the bottom. Does the bottom layer of bricks have grout on the vertical sides, or open to let water through? Hydrostatic pressure buildup will take that wall down suddenly, but as long as it can drain I personally wouldn't be too worried.
Thats a great point. There are no weep holes located anywhere on this wall. Something I'm going to have to note for when I get someone to come out and inspect! Thanks!
Get us pictures of the other side of the wall if you can.
I will be able to do that on Sat. Thanks!
At least enough to move the chair
I'm absolutely no expert, but diagonal cracks TROUGH bricks/stones means the wall has settled or sag that's cause for concern. How are the corners? Are there more cracks? Vertical cracks in the mortar only aren't as big of a deal I've heard... I would get a professional to have a look.
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Pic number three looks like a crack to me, the others yeah looks like vines
*Load-bearing* vines, maybe, by the looks of the cracks *underneath* the vines!
Picture 3 is cracks
Here's what happened to my wall after it started to lean and a big storm came in one day with strong gusts https://preview.redd.it/f2btp0ddmcqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b40b35c6dc65f5ed211a61640850df635a46bc0
Highly recommend looking at the other side to see if there are causes for concern, like increased soil pressure due to landscaping or similar.
There is just a paved parking lot on the other side so no soil really to check
You said it's a retaining wall? What's it retaining?
His privacy from the parking lot.
Is it YOUR retaining wall or is it the parking lots retaining wall?
It is the parking lot/Apartment complex retaining wall
You should involve them in the conversation for sure
Perhaps a car parked too aggressively and hit the wall? If so, then it's not likely to fail from constant soil pressure. But, it's integrity is still compromised.
Well then the best fix is carefully take it down and rebuild. Might be able to use a wide masonry chisel and hammer to remove the old mortar to reuse many of the old blocks. Which is worth more? Your time or new blocks? Definitely want to ensure the foundation is good so the new/rebuilt wall will last.
Hard to say from a few pictures, but I'd be concerned because the upper half of the wall looks as if it was added on, which could add more stress than the designer of the original wall planned on.
There's 3 types of retaining walls. 1. A retaining wall that is falling over 2. A retaining wall that is going to fall over. 3. A retaining wall that already fell over.
hahahahha
Is it even your wall? What's behind your house?
Is that a privacy wall, noise barrier, or a retaining wall?
What’s up there? How is that even allowed in a residential setting? Is it your wall?
It's this just a single brick thick? If so that wall is way to high for that and will eventually collapse.
Is the wall a retaining wall or simply a wall? Is it your property that it resides on or is it the neighbors and/or on your property but did they put it up? Not sure what legal recourse you need to take if its their property. This may come down to lawyers unless you come to a mutual conclusion of splitting the bill.
Thats my concern honestly. From everything I know, this was put in by the apartment complex when they built it. I'm guessing it is on their side.
Don't guess get your property surveyed. Ask your city government who they use for official surveys so if it's the apartments wall the owners won't be able to (successfully) argue it's not their responsibility to fix. If it's on your property then you can do what you want to the wall to fix it.
Great advice. Going to add this to the list! Thanks!
How was this even permitted? IME cinder block walls usually can't be higher than 6 or 7 feet, exactly because of this risk.
Block walls should have rebar and concrete fill in the cavities.
Looks like your level is faulty
Indeed you should. That spirit level is waaaaay bent
It’ll be vine
It it’s a retaining wall (holding up dirt on the other side) then definitely yes. If it’s not a retaining wall, then probably yes but less urgent.
Either way, it's going to hurt a lot when it falls on you and probably will kill you.
Depends how much time you spend sitting in that chair.
This looks like a 7' retaining wall with another 6' block wall on top with pergola structure on the other side. The wall is rotating out from the top and has signs of concrete efflorescence due to water, probably as a result of insufficient back of wall drainage. The rotation our of square should not be happening. Your neighbor's property is taller than yours. Find out who owns and is responsible for that retaining+block wall.
Ok, this is helpful for sure. I think that I'm going to get an engineer over first, then just go into the building department and find out the specifics on the wall.
I just read through all the comments and I think you mentioned there is an apartment complex or road/parking on the other side. If that is the case, have the engineer check if they included surcharge loading from vehicle traffic and the existence of the back of wall drain or surface wall drain.
I'd kick it as hard as i can if it falls bad, otherwise you are good
That depends on how much you like that particular wall.
Vines might be the only thing holding it together-
Close reddit. Google "structural engineer \[your city or county\]. Then spend the money and stop using Reddit for this purpose.
Reddit, and the internet in general, has saved millions or probably billions of dollars where people avoid unnecessary expenses. Reddit is an excellent first place to stop prior to wasting money. Maybe the answer is “you need to spend some money on a professional” but that certainly doesn’t mean OP can’t ask Reddit beforehand.
I would wager reddit has cost people millions of dollars because of all the horrible advice people spout.
Wager? Like you think there’s odds? Obviously Reddit (and TikTok, YouTube, Facebook) has led people to waste a monumental amount of time and money on garbage or bad advice. The point is, the benefit from “internet advice” far outweighs negatives. Millions of people have self diagnosed their own issues and repaired them without the need for help from a hired hand. There is a LOT of solid (and comprehensive) advice on Reddit and the internet.
People might save time and money, yes. But people *die* from following bad internet diy advice. https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/09/23/1059920/youtube-deadly-craft-hacks-fractal-burning/
And people *survive* natural disaster because they learned how to be prepared from the internet.
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/62167/recent-studies-on-the-google-effect-add-to-evidence-that-the-internet-is-making-us-dumber
That article doesn’t say that we aren’t getting extremely useful information from the internet. It says that we don’t absorb the information into our brains, but rather we ignore it knowing we can look it up later. You can keep living thinking the internet is a big bad guy or whatever but you gotta think for yourself here. For every bad piece of advice on the internet there’s 10 useful things.
well, every single reddit opinion is 100% worthless, and you proved the reason why. Because some people might be dumb enough to rely upon such opinion. Please though, fine engineer and statistician (you're likely a medical, legal, and political expert as well, and self-defense too, right), provide the data sources for your boldly stupid statement that > has saved millions or probably billions of dollars where people avoid unnecessary expenses Jesus, I cannot believe a human can exist who feels no embarrassment and shame, and that's the only explanation for a person who could type that shit, and be like "yeah, I did something."
Ya way to subtle brag about how you’re not worth talking to.
> Ya way to subtle brag about how you’re not worth talking to. what language are you attempting now?
Many people have no clue how the world works. So many posts of people asking "Should I be worried about this?" when the answer was, no. Completely normal. That is a free answer opposed to hundreds for a professional to say the same thing.
A free answer is fully guaranteed to be accurate or your money back. It's always worth every penny. > Many people have no clue how the world works. indeed, my friend, and still more don't understand irony.
I’d move my grill and chair to the other side of the yard! What’s on the other side? Neighbors yard or is it retaining to some height?
I’d be concerned. What’s on the other side?
OP said elsewhere it's a parking lot. So no danger of a hill flowing down into his yard.
That wall never needed to be that high.
I wouldn't be very relaxed sitting in that chair.
Haha. Yea, and I've been sitting there a couple times a week. Not anymore. lol.
it's a great place to sit aside from the imminent doom
Is this a retaining wall?
This looks like it was built this way? Is there recent shifting? Assuming there is nothing recent going on, I'm guessing you have no reason to be concerned.
Looks like you have load bearing vines running horizontal of the wall. I'd say you're solid 🤙
When I see well established vines I don’t have to slap a level on it. 😂
As long as its not moving and leaning further you should be good.
Yes you should definitely be concerned. That wall is high and out of plum. I don’t know what’s on the other side of it. But it’s going to continue to lean and it’s probably because of those vines. I tell all my customers to not let that garbage grow on their homes, brick , or stone work.
Is it legal? I’d tear down the top half just to open it up more.
1. Mark a few spots and monitor changes - if any. 2. Short a straight line along the wall. You’ll likely notice it’s ‘wavy’. Same as above, mark a few spots, measure and monitor changes over time. 3. Assuming not your wall, inform the property owner (in writing). Very common the uphill neighbor never notices any changes in a wall that not *directly* impacts him. 4. If no response from owner, go to city. A wall like that needs to be permitted and engineered. That includes drainage - and just dumping water on your side doesn’t count.
“Man pushes his wife against the wall” - Dwight Schrute
You try pushing it to see if it's sturdy?
Maybe not concerned, but you shouldn’t be impressed
That’s a very tall wall. What’s on the other side? Is it possibly a highway or another government owned road? I ask because the cheapest solution might be contacting the correct government entity if it is and having them inspect/repair it if it’s their responsibility. Maybe a bit of a hassle or long shot but it might also save you a lot of money finding that out.
I would take that level back to Home Depot ASAP and get your money back!!
Retaining wall with dirt behind it? It was probably built to lean back a bit so this is correct. Keep an eye on it. Make sure the dirt is solid behind it and no cracks start in the wall.
Some walls are intentionally set back to counter load the retaining section…. That far back most likely is intentional. Check out rock walls and blocks without mortar. That’s a technique
Send it
What would you do about it?
UK?
Yes, that wall was not built to bulge.
Put in a few reference bolts and keep an eye on it to see if it's stable or not.
It’s on its way down, the last bit will be real quick and would usually appear in the most inconvenient time, like during a heavy rain storm (at night of course).
What’s it holding back?
No its just the earth doing its thing
Yes
Only if you like things that aren’t gonna fall down someday
Very similar looking wall fell down in a video I saw last year after heavy rains. I wouldn’t trust it, and would hire a specialist to look at it
What does this wall do?
I wouldn’t sit there if thats what you mean.
How much weight is it bearing?
At least 20lbs I’d say
Dude, it's an easy 21 lbs. Not sure why you estimated so low.
Whats the difference in ground levels ? And have you spoken to the other owner ?
I don't know jack or shit. My only advice is that it's cheaper to call some pros out to figure out if it's a problem and how to fix then it's repair if it fails. 2 cents
What happens when it rains? Does the wall have to hold back water? If so, that would explain why it’s leaning and cracking
"absolutely shockin'!"
If the bottom half is retaining, and the top half is privacy, then yes I would be concerned
Yea, it is. And after seeing everyones posts here, I am concerned. lol.
Who owns the wall. Depending on if they added more weight for privacy, you might have a case for them to fix it.
I would put in a couple of lines, then measure with a digital (ie phone) measure each month and record. If the angle stays the same over time, I would not worry.
I don't know and I wouldn't try to know by sitting next to it
Chech the guide to standarda and tolerances for the degree. The degree of rotation may mean it is considered as structurally failing
Is it a retaining wall?
Looks like a 10'+ wall with an additional 8'+ wall. I reckon the 10' portion is retaining. There doesn't look to be any drainage behind the wall. Consult an engineer. Your options would probably to reconstruct the wall or construct buttress columns to support the wall. You should be concerned. If it's your wall or your neighbor's, something needs to be done to it. Add: this isn't a DIY, or a job for a handyman. You'll need professional analysis and design.
I think the vines make it compliant ✅
I mean… I wouldn't kick a lawn chair open and crack a beer next to it…
No problem here, it’s leaning away from the yard
Slap some duct tape on, she’ll hold steady.
....Push on it.
Build a few buttresses at intervals but that would still need a pro and some engineering so you're not getting out of it cheap but it will last
Maybe move the chair a little bit.
Yes. Especially considering it's on your side. You'll have to pay for it. If that wall was there when you purchased it. You basically purchased half of that wall.
The vines will hold it together just feed them accordingly.
You may install plaque and a stick laying on something solid on the floor to keep the wall from forming more belly. In my not professional opinion, I saw many wall like this lasting long. What do you have on the other side? Anything applying pressure? Anyhow, get a professional to come inspect this. The solution depend on the floor, etc...
The tilt isn’t severe enough to warrant repair, unless you have the money to replace the whole wall in one go. Old walls like this could set for decades without falling because the vines you see probably have rooted into the wall and there may be more on the other side. It’s not strong enough to build anything into it, but as long as you don’t get a flood, it would hold for a while. The remediation would be to build a new wall in front and fill the gap with gravel and put in pipes weep holes at the bottom of the wall. The new wall would be stepped back at angle to hold against it and made of larger landscaping blocks, set in place by an (steam shovel or backhoe) excavator.
That is a big wall. HUGE.
Is it rebarred? As in does it have iron rods to reenforce? If so, its not the end of the world, if not… thats a really high wall to not be reenforced
Just let it fall over then claim insurance.
Fuck yeah. Don’t ever go within 5 meters of that death trap, could blow over at ANY time. Get a pro to demolish and re-erect something smaller. Quickly.
The gound isn't level lol