Removing dirt supporting a wall: Who to consult about stability?

5 years ago

Hello,

Our backyard soil has a high point at the back wall and slopes down towards the house. The slope is steeper than needed for drainage, so we want to reduce it to be flatter but are concerned that removing 1-2 feet of dirt near the back wall would make it unstable.

Who would be best to consult for this? Structural engineer? Geo engineer? Grading specialist? Landscaping specialist? Other? Thanks!

-James

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

It's a soils issue - not a basement wall or slab on grade but a backyard slope. So a structural engineer - those that deal with buildings or structures only (and very few are involved in residential construction to begin with) - would not be an appropriate choice.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

emmarene9
5 years ago
I can't help you but those who can will likely want a photograph.
James Lee thanked emmarene9
Oliviag
5 years ago
if i had a question about stability, id ask my structural engineer.
James Lee thanked Oliviag
Related Discussions
Starting from dirt- literally! A basement bath DIY Adventure
Q
Comments (157)
I did see this! And yes, I still LOVE it five years later. We still haven't begun the 2nd-floor bathroom, aka the 1925 Hall Bath/Faux Master which is our only bathroom on the bedroom level with a clawfoot tub & a shower ring. So the Starting From Dirt Basement Bathroom is still my favorite place to shower. So here's how to do the Starting From Dirt Basement Bath set up: Hansgrohe Ibox rough in Shower & tub fixtures - Hansgrohe Rain S Showerhead & hand shower S Thermostatic Trim with Volume Control and Diverter (tub to shower) Kohler HydroRail Shower Column and Diverter (showerhead to hand shower) Metris S tub filler The Tub Filler & Hydrorail are tied together at the Ibox by the diverter on the shower trim, the two showerheads switch between each other on the Hydorail. Run it all by your plumber - I don't know if all these parts (especially the hydrorail) are still available! Good luck! Also, here's a link to Part 2 of the Adventure: https://tinyurl.com/ydntvkzc
...See More
Load bearing walls corner removal for kitchen open concept
Q
Comments (8)
With a 2 story structure, removing load bearing walls gets to be infinitely more difficult than in a one story. There's also snow loads, and seismic and high wind stability with resistance to shearing to consider in creating the support for what you are thinking of removing. If this is to be a DIY project, you need to have a pretty well experienced friend list in the trades that are willing to give you a couple of weekends for a heck of a lot of pizza and beer, and you'd better be well experienced as well. Might be cheaper (and safer!) to just call a licensed contractor who already has the burly guys on his payroll and can do this a bit quicker. And that IS after a consult with a structural engineer who will create the support plan! That's how you know for sure that your house won't fall down in the next high wind. :-)
...See More
Raise tree or remove dirt?
Q
Comments (38)
But maybe they just been in long enough to become established. I've seen bigger, more established trees around here put on less growth. ==>>> i would bet on establishing a root mass sufficient for the size of the tree ... causing it to return to the more standard growth rate ... its hard to tell the annual growth.. on a leader that is 20.. 30.. 50 feet up a large tree .... no scale up there ... unless of course.. you go all squirrel on it.. and climb up there some how ... as to exposing the root flare .... removing a stress is always good .... i dont know if such is directly related to explosive growth ... i think i would tend to lean toward the above.. a doubling or tripling of the root mass ...they were growing all year long... but for ground freeze ... i think we sometimes forget.. on a plant that has but one spring flush ... that that doesnt mean the roots only grow for a short time in spring ... its easy to overlook things you cant see.. as major reasons for success ... also .. i recall many times... and i dont know if its a fact here ... that the second year out of a hyper-fertilized pot ... the small conifer puts out explosive growth ... and then.. as it accustoms itself to my sand.. it slows back down to more of a norm .... ken
...See More
Kitchen Remodel - Eliminating Peninsula but Stuck with Support Wall
Q
Comments (37)
@Kristina Dell, I prefer to have the refrigerator next to the wall because it gives more counter space, in your case it gives you the opportunity to have maybe a coffee station or a wet bar, if you feel like you have enough counter space and you need more storage, the option of the pantries to the left will be a very good one as well. In Reference to the comments about the Refrigerator next to a wall, I have done it hundreds of times, all you need to do is to have the spec of the refrigerator when you plan and make sure you follow the clearance recommendations, they vary depending on the model. Look at pictures of ( not integrated)refrigerators between a run of cabinets versus pictures with refrigerators at the end of the run. If you don’t mind that sticks 6 or 7 inches maybe you can opt for that option I hope you find the information helpful
...See More
James Lee
Original Author
5 years ago
emmarene9 I unfortunately have so much stuff piled along the wall right now that a photo would only convey how much cleanup I need to do haha.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Structural engineers deal with structures - how they stand up, support loads and adjust to movement. Little if anything to do with soils. You really need a geo or soils engineer if a steep slope and a lot of soil. Or you may be able to get by with a landscape contractor skilled in grading if the slope and soil volume is not excessive.

Make some calls and see who could come out for a low cost or possibly even free consultation and then take it from there.
James Lee thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
seabornman
5 years ago
I'd go with structural engineer. Is this a basement wall or the edge of a slab-on-grade? You may find that lowering grade undermines foundation.
James Lee thanked seabornman
Christopher CNC
5 years ago
If removing 1-2 feet of soil puts your desired level of flatness below the foundation of the back wall, then yes, that will make the wall unstable. The fix for that would be another short wall - as in terraces.

Talk to a stone mason, those people who build walls, preferably find the one who built your back wall and ask him.
James Lee thanked Christopher CNC
PRO
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
You have two considerations here. Concern 1 is the exterior grade creating a proper slope so as to not destabilize the hillside or to direct water towards the home. A good landscape company can give you some ideas about that. They will have a geotechnical engineer on call on an as needed basis if they are the right company to do the project.

Concern 2 would be the effect that Excavation Plan 1 will have on your foundation. The soil pressure against the foundation does stabilize it. If a substantial amount of pressure against the foundation is removed, that can affect it’s bearing ability.

Get the excavation plan first. Then do a consult with a structural engineer for the separate foundation issue if enough of the exterior is being altered to possibly affect the foundation. The plan may not involve as much excavation as you imagine, so wait for the plan first.

No quick consult from a Pro is going to ever be a waste of money if it gives you peace of mind, or a heads up as to peril. They have a legal and ethical professional obligation to put your best interests and safety first, that a contractor does not.
James Lee thanked User

Removing dirt supporting a wall: Who to consult about stability?

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Comments (8)

emmarene9

Oliviag

Related Discussions

James Lee
Original Author

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

seabornman

Christopher CNC

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Removing dirt supporting a wall: Who to consult about stability?

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Comments (8)

emmarene9

Oliviag

Related Discussions

James LeeOriginal Author

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

seabornman

Christopher CNC

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

James Lee
Original Author