Idea suggestions for steep slope at side of garden

TopLad28

TopLad28

TopLad28

Associate
Joined
11 Apr 2020
Posts
11
Hi all,

Hope everyone is well and keeping safe.

I moved into a new build property recently and have started thinking about improving the garden.

Annoyingly, the plot we got has a steep drop to the right hand side of the lawn. It's a shame a higher reinforced wall wasnt put on the side to make the land level but because the neighbouring fence is present, it cant just be filled with soil.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas of what I could put there or any solutions. It's a bit of a pain to cut so just curious if anyone else has had a similar issue.

I've attached pictures however the pictures dont really show how steep it is, if you look at the back fence it should give you a good idea.

Thanks :)

20200411-142825.jpg
 
A bit of decking would sort that out. You’ll likely have to raise the fence too. Very lazy if the builders not to make it all the same height but normal in my experience!
 
Bluecube said:
A bit of decking would sort that out. You’ll likely have to raise the fence too. Very lazy if the builders not to make it all the same height but normal in my experience!
Click to expand...

Yeah, you would have thought they would make it level and just reinforce the fence . Decking is definitely something to consider
 
A bit of a bodge there, but to be fair to the fencing contractors they wouldn't be tasked with levelling off ground first.

I'd be interested to know why the posts all look to be wedged in the ground either side with wood, normally you want water to run away from the post by moundng the concrete at the base ever so slightly, those wooden wedges will only collect water and keep it against the post?
 
fatbatman said:
My word how have they got away with that lol.

Why didn't they bring the tops of the fences level with the rest of the fence?
Click to expand...
Because the house to the right of us is lower down (The properties are on a slight hill) they have basically used the wooden wedges at the bottom to increase the height slightly and then sloped the right end of the lawn. I'm assuming it's because if they wanted to fill the land level the whole way across they would need to build a wall to reinforce it, so its clearly saved them a few £££!

I dont mind it too much as most of the garden is level, I'm just struggling to think what to do with the dip! :D

But yeah you're right , I'm wondering why they havent increased the height of the sloped fence to make it look a bit more normal. I would have thought it would be easier doing that haha
 
Mad, if you've just moved in there I'd be getting them to sort that out. I wouldn't be too fussed about the ground coz you can just use have raised decking which is easy to do DIY. Cowboys man
 
Talk to the neighbour who is on the other side of it. Small retaining wall and some soil and its easily sorted... Just annoying!
 
Tony Edwards said:
I thought I had it worked out but now youve stuffed me again.

Is it one panel slopping down on the right to the level of the back panels or are those middle two panels both going to a lower point?
Click to expand...

It's weird. They're both sloping down towards that point however the dip/slope looks about the same incline all the way along.
 
I would need to double check but I think there is a reason for that. What is the drop (metres) on the other side? I think there is a building regs rule that says that if you have to retain or barrier more than 0.6m height, you need more than a fence i.e.the structure needs to act as a balustrade to prevent a fall (which a fence along won't do). Hence the level slopes down on your side to reduce the step.

I had a similar request from a developer on a project I'm current working on, regarding avoiding drops over that height.

(again, need to double check the clause so don't quote me on the specifics).

Edit: just checked and it's NHBC guides chapter 9.2 and 10.2 - height differences of 0.6m+ must be designed as an engineered solution and have guarding. If you will proceed with the amendment of your garden please check first with the warranty provider about what you intend to do, as it may invalidate your warranty as it would be a modification to the desigh. I couldn't find anythign specific in Building Regs itself, but I didn't look hard once I found the info in NHBC.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom