I am excavating my rear garden as a part of a landscaping project and I am trying to establish how close I can excavate near to an existing garden wall. The existing garden wall is 1 brick thick with a 6 brick pillar at either end. Its about 7.6' tall and runs the length of my garden 65'). The wall is built on concreate foundations which sits and clay soil. I don't know how deep the footing are under the wall but the wall was built when the estate was developed.
I would like to lower the level of my garden by approx 900mm that runs up to the wall. To avoid undermining the footings I would propose to leave say 750mm of clay/soil untouched directly in front of the wall along the entire length and then build a block wall in front of it with a a single brick facade in front of that as a retainer for the border.
Is the 750mm of untouched soil in front of the wall sufficient to save the integrity of the existing wall? I have heard of the law of repose but I can find and clear guidance.
Also my proposed block wall with single brick facade in front of it, will this be substantially weaker to retain the 900/1100mm of earth behind it than a single brick solid wall?
Comments appreciated
Thanks
Rich
I would like to lower the level of my garden by approx 900mm that runs up to the wall. To avoid undermining the footings I would propose to leave say 750mm of clay/soil untouched directly in front of the wall along the entire length and then build a block wall in front of it with a a single brick facade in front of that as a retainer for the border.
Is the 750mm of untouched soil in front of the wall sufficient to save the integrity of the existing wall? I have heard of the law of repose but I can find and clear guidance.
Also my proposed block wall with single brick facade in front of it, will this be substantially weaker to retain the 900/1100mm of earth behind it than a single brick solid wall?
Comments appreciated
Thanks
Rich