how can i fix a stone retaining wall that is falling into the pond where i live?

Question

I have a 100 ft stone wall that is falling over from constant freezing and thawing of the pond it is in. the water is about 4 ft deep and never drains out. sooner or later it is going to fall down and take a big chunk of my yard with it. HELP

Answer 1

Yikes, that can get expensive. I'd call the city and see what the guidelines are where you live for retaining walls.

Answer 2

You'll have to dig out the material the retaining wall is holding back. Then you will have to take the wall down, retaining what material you can salvage. Next, dig a footer that is say 6" wider then your wall and goes at least 3' lower then the current bottom of your wall. Pour this with concrete (3,000 psi minimum) and add 2 runs of #5 rebar, spaced 2" off the bottom of your excavation. The final concrete depth should be at least 12" to the full 3'. When the concrete has cured for 7 days, you can start to build back your wall. After the first 3 rows ar in place, backfill along the wall with course gravel against the wall (for about a foot) and the dirt you excavated for the rest. Pack it down good with a hand tamp or a powered tamp. Lay some goetech fabric that will extend back from your wall 6' and anchor the fabric in the earth, laping the other end onto your wall. Start your wall courses again, laying on the fabric and offset back into the earth your trying to hold back by 2" or so (if your wall doesn't already step back. Repeat this process until your wall is back at it's original height.

Answer 3

You never mentioned if the pond was yours or if there was something actually living in the pond, IE:fish, or just for decoration. First thing I would do is drain the pond.

You have whats sounds like a footing problem underneath your stone wall. To save your yard you may need to start all over with everything, and you will ask yourself if it is worth it from now on. That is a decision only you and your local ordinance can agree upon.

You can always go behind your existing wall and pour a footing, but that can be dangerous. You will need to brace the wall up in various places to keep everyone and everything safe. Have a trencher do the work and pour concrete behind your existing wall for support. Go deep enough to ensure that if the wall gives way at a later date that you have a good footing to build it on. Good Luck