renention wall ditch catch basin

Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2019 · 571 posts · 96 votes

Hi,

At my rental property i have catch basin which is in ditch area about 2-3 feet deep as attached with wooden rentention wall. This wooden retention wall is not in great shape as it is deteriorate, rusted corroded. Is it good idea to remove that completely and make it graded towards catch basin area? Or is it necessary to build new rentention wall when it breaks completely. Are there any implications of this approach? Does county or city object if i remove the rentention wall. Does it support the building or building foundation etc? Please advise

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Jaron WallingPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3mo
@Gp G. For my 9-5 j.o.b I work for the city and deal with these issues everyday specifically regulations, permitting, and stormwater violations. You probably have an easement between your property and the neighbors. That catch basin is collecting storm water from multiple properties, and discharging it else where. Your retaining wall is not supporting the fountain walls but I would rebuild it with new railroad ties. You can buy them at Menards for $25 (each) in my market. They're pressured treated and last a long time.

The backyard is a rain swale. The steeper the grade the easier for erosion to occur. That's probably why that retaining wall was built in the first place. Regrading the slope would be more expensive, time consuming, and establishing grass right now would be nearly impossible. If you tear up the yard and it rains that soil is washing down and damaging the swale. That can cause flooding between properties. That's a city or county violation in the making. A big rain event could increase the risk for foundation issues but I'm not an engineer. Best of luck.
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Gp G.
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Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2019 · 571 posts · 96 votes
2w
Thank you for the great feedback. What kind of contractors can rebuild these type of retaining walls? Please advise
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- Jaron WallingPro Member
  Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
  2w
  Any general contractor or experienced landscaper should be able to remove the old railroad ties and replace them with new ones, or build a landscape block wall to stop erosion without destroying the rest of the yard.
  
  It looks like a $1500-2500 project max. In my market it's prime time to grow grass but you only have a few more weeks before it gets too cold.
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