Waterfront Retaining Wall

[GreenMonster]

Here's our latest creation. Allan Block wall (no surprise there) on the water, about 80' in length. It should be done in one more day. Did two others down the road last year. Quoting both neighbors for next year, and looking like another two more on board next year down the lake a bit.

I hope no one minds one pic per post. I like it better that way.

here is what we started with.

[GreenMonster]

Place was a real mess. Guy is a pack rat like you read about! He didn't end up moving most of the stuff cuz he recently had to go in for unexpected heart surgery. Ya know, the same thing happened to the guy I did the wall for last year down the street -- I guess I'm charging enough! :)

Here are the stairs under construction. You can see the grid.

[GreenMonster]

I didn't get a good pic, but in front of the house there is a concrete patio. I was sitting on it with the mini x, dumping dirt onto the other side of the firepit, then moving it out with the skid -- all along hoping it didn't crack, or worse, give. UGH.

Also ended up with both front tires on the skid flat the first day. Pulled a lot of sh!t out with the existing "wall".

[GreenMonster]

Here's a comprable "before" pic to the last one posted.

see what I mean about Pack Rat? :rolleyes:

[fga]

got any detailed pics of the stair comstruction? i've done alot of walls myself, but never the stairs. i like the way you always add them in. what do you use for the stair top.. lime stone? and are they back filled with gravel? what do you use to to secure the stair topper? and cut them to the shape you designed... too many questions for you?
i see your significant other in these pics. how do you get any work done while she's standing there naked??
oh yeah, nice work, blah blah blah. :)

[GreenMonster]

we're done on this end. Just a few more courses down by the stairs, which will step down 9 courses to 7.

[GreenMonster]

got any detailed pics of the stair comstruction? i've done alot of walls myself, but never the stairs. i like the way you always add them in. what do you use for the stair top.. lime stone? and are they back filled with gravel? what do you use to to secure the stair topper? and cut them to the shape you designed... too many questions for you?
i see your significant other in these pics. how do you get any work done while she's standing there naked??
oh yeah, nice work, blah blah blah. :)

:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy:

yes, too many ?????'s. Remember, I voted for Bush, I am therefore by definition, a "simpleton" :D

I don't know if I have any more detailed than that. I can snap a few more on the final courses. And yes, everyone seems to love the stairs.

The stair treads are the matching AB caps. Never used anything else to date... I take that back -- I used pavers a few times, but never with Allan Block. I always offer it.

They are backfilled with 3/4 crushed stone, then about 12" more stone behind the block. Behind that you can just use on-site fill. I brought in extra 3/4 crushed gravel for this job.

Treads are secured with masonry adhesive (specifically for caps). Other than the very first step, which is a radius (not looking forward to cutting those) the other steps are exactly a cap deep. They will require an angled cut on each end.

It ain't easy working with a hottie standin' there worshiping you, but hey, I'm used to it.

[GreenMonster]

Surely the question is coming, so...

$500 for permit prep
$11,500 for wall

Comes to about $28/sf.

[fga]

i will try that eventually. if i can ever get from behind a lawnmower to take on bigger projects. good job, as always.

dude, i know its been 86 years, but the signature is killing my screen size for weeks! i can never find the "quote" button when i have to disagree with you. its way off to the side on another page. :waving:

[GreenMonster]

dude, i know its been 86 years, but the signature is killing my screen size for weeks! i can never find the "quote" button when i have to disagree with you. its way off to the side on another page. :waving:

Yes, the signature is a bit much, isn't it? :D

I promise to get rid of it soon, say, another 86 years or so.....

BTW, don't you mean "i can never find the "quote" button when i have to AGREE with you." ????

[grassworks]

What an improvement. How many hours to put that together.....

[activelandscaping]

Hmmm.........

Something does seem different. According to my " left wing friends " it should take me a week of constant staring at these pic's, just realize somethings changed. :D

Looks great, I like the stair layout. No chance of ice damaging the wall?

Regards,
Active

[GreenMonster]

What an improvement. How many hours to put that together.....

104 manhours so far.

Prolly one more day, 3 guys, 10 hours. finish stairs, caps, last few courses, grade everything off, rake out, clean-up.

[GreenMonster]

Looks great, I like the stair layout. No chance of ice damaging the wall?


nope. lake is drawn-down in the fall. where the water is now is where it stays until boards go back up on the dam. :)

[D Felix]

So, just for grins, let's say the lake is only occasionally drawn down... Like only once every 5-10 years for some maintenance somewhere. What would you do differently when the wall was constructed?

I'm not asking only Mark, anyone can feel free to answer! I've got my thoughts, but I'd rather hear others before I type them.:)

Wall looks good, BTW, as always!


Dan

[activelandscaping]

So, just for grins, let's say the lake is only occasionally drawn down... Like only once every 5-10 years for some maintenance somewhere. What would you do differently when the wall was constructed?

Would this involve posting a lookout for the EPA truck? :D

Regards,
Active

[D Felix]

Nope.... I'm asking a legitimate question here.... Say you are contacted to install a waterfront wall/seawall, and it just so happens that this year the lake will be drawn down. But keep in mind that the lake is not drawn down every year.

This, of course, assumes that the budget is not a concern, permits can be obtained, etc, etc, etc....

Sorry if'n I'm hijacking the thread Mark!


Dan

[activelandscaping]

This, of course, assumes that the budget is not a concern, permits can be obtained, etc, etc, etc....
Hmmm...........
Well, since I'm building in fantasy land.........

A nice island patio would be nice, perhaps a teardrop design coming off/forming into the wall area in front of the double doors, where my 60' luxury yacht can pull up to disembark the Swedish Bikini Team. :D :D

BTW
GreenMonster,
Did they paint the house that color on purpose............... or did someone sneak up and paint it when they wern't lookin.:p

Regards,
Active

[JimLewis]

That's a nice retaining wall! Love the steps!

It'll be nice to see the finished product. Are you going to dress up the landscape at all? The wall looks nice but they need some work on the landscape too.

p.s. the gigantic sig. line is getting a little old. It takes me about 86 years to scroll down your posts.........

[activelandscaping]

So, just for grins, let's say the lake is only occasionally drawn down... Like only once every 5-10 years for some maintenance somewhere. What would you do differently when the wall was constructed?

Sorry DFelix,

For some reason I read the above to mean the lake was drained back, upon closer examination it would seem you mean the wall would be subjected to ice loading/damage. :o

To be honest if the wall were to be subjected to ice loading/damming then I would probably call in a Civil Engineer.
Just to wing it.......... I would probably use helical piers and precast cantilever retaining walls, for load support and stability behind the SRW.

Regards,
Active

[GreenMonster]

I would probably call in a Civil Engineer.

Yeah, I'm gonna run with that. I really don't know Dan. Obviously, a lot more to think about when that's an issue. There's a lot more to think about even in the even of rapid draw-down. Say a tidal location.

Jim - I'll post some pics when we're done, including the stairs. Although I have the same stairs posted in other threads on LS. I guess they're talking about more landscaping. They have some other guy putting in a lawn for them next year. You know the guy down the street that trucks and sells stone, sells firewood, does demo work :rolleyes:. I'm not sure there is enough money for me to do more work for them. They definately fall into the PITA category.

Yes, the sig is a little overwhelming. I almost wish they would go back to your sig only showing on one post per page. Don't worry, I'll change it in 86 years or so :D

Active - Actually, they are going to change to color of the house to the same hideous green the garage has been painted :rolleyes: ..... seriously.

[activelandscaping]

Active - Actually, they are going to change to color of the house to the same hideous green the garage has been painted ..... seriously.

That's.......... a shame. In looking down the way though it fit's, but for the life of me I can't imagine why people do that to a perfectly good home.
Look at the bright side, after the neighbors are done bad mouthing them, for " wasting their money on a new wall " they will all need to upgrade their waterfront. You can only rip on the Jones's for so long before it's time to play keep up, might bring you some good business.

Regards,
Active

[blafleur]

Mark, how do these block walls hold up if water rises and gets behind it. I turned down a job near the waters edge because of this, I envisioned the water receding and pushing the wall out from the back. I've been curious ever since.

Nice job.

Bryan

[GreenMonster]

I envisioned the water receding and pushing the wall out from the back.

That was my point in an earlier post about issues with "rapid draw-down". Lots of drainage needed for that.

[GreenMonster]

Look at the bright side, after the neighbors are done bad mouthing them, for " wasting their money on a new wall " they will all need to upgrade their waterfront. You can only rip on the Jones's for so long before it's time to play keep up, might bring you some good business.



This wall was a result of two others we did down the end of the road last year.

I have to do quotes over the winter for BOTH abutting neighbors :)

In a few years, we'll have one big Allan block wall about 800' long!!!

Two others on board for next already a little way up the lake.

[activelandscaping]

In a few years, we'll have one big Allan block wall about 800' long!!!

That would look fantastic.
Now, if you could just talk them into some nice cedar siding............:p

Best of luck,
Active

[GreenMonster]

Someone asked about a stair shot?

Here they are almost complete, block wise. Still need caps...

[GreenMonster]

We're almost done. Just a little more clean-up and about 12 caps we stole from the straight run to finish the stairs. :rolleyes:

[Lazer_Z]

Mark if the point system were still here i'd give ya some but all I can do now is say WOW!!!!!. That really looks good you do a hell of a job. You take a property from sh*t to shine in no time.

Mark if you don't mid me asking what's the price range on the walls you do?? Like do you have a set min. per ft. you will take on or what? Thanks Rob

[activelandscaping]

GM,
It's a little tough to tell from the pic, is the guy in the sweatshirt counting his cash or takin a whizz? :D :D

Job looks great. Did you do all the design work?

Regards,
Active

[GreenMonster]

Thanks Rob, but it wasn't a real challenge sprucing this place up :dizzy:

This one we did for around $28/sf. But, I don't give the estimate that way. I basically figure materials and how long it will take based on site factors, and come up with it from there. Total on this one is gonna ring in close to $12k. I have done A/B for as low as $20/sf (shame on me) and as high as $30.

Active, yes, I guess I did the design work. I have to confess though, these stairs that have become so popular are A/B "design". We're limited on the water with the existing wall -- have to use same footprint, height, blah, blah, blah. Strict state specifications on waterfront.

[Lazer_Z]

Thanks for the info Mark keep up the good work.

[activelandscaping]

Active, yes, I guess I did the design work. I have to confess though, these stairs that have become so popular are A/B "design". We're limited on the water with the existing wall -- have to use same footprint, height, blah, blah, blah. Strict state specifications on waterfront.

Nice job's, like your's, help to keep the SRW business growing.
I run into the same waterfront problems here. Between the HO's Association's ( they put the Ass in Association ), EPA and State it seems like I need 2 permits and an inspection just to scratch my butt.

Regards,
Active

[GreenMonster]

Finished the job. Here's a few final pics. This shot is a good comparison to the b4 posted on the first page.

[GreenMonster]

A shot from the other end.

[GreenMonster]

Here's the stairs.

[GreenMonster]

having some trouble with a few pics?????

Here's another one of the stairs.

[GreenMonster]

oh yeah, I called the customer after we finished and the first question he asked was "did you put the Goddess of the Sea back?"

:rolleyes:

Put the nylon strap right around her jugs. They were pretty firm considering her age and all :D

[aries]

Nice job! I love walls how do you like working with the alan block?

[polecat63]

Dang! That sure is fine work! :drinkup:

[Lawnchoice]

Did they let the dam out this fall to allow you to gain better access for the wall construction?

Looks good man, keep it up!

[Lux Lawn]

Mark
You guys did a great job there,but they do need to do something about that green garage.Keep up the good work.

[GreenMonster]

Did they let the dam out this fall to allow you to gain better access for the wall construction?

Looks good man, keep it up!


On Milton 3 Ponds, they let the water down every year. We'll be doing -- potentially -- up to 4 walls here next year!
:drinkup:

Lux, they're doing something about the garage -- painting the house matching green next year :rolleyes:

Aries - yeah, I like Allan Block. I use it almost exclusively. I like that fact that it's "free draining". Less worrying about water pressure behind the wall. They keep coming out with more and more choices too.

[AGLA]

How much of a permit process do you have to deal with for a project like that up there? It would be nearly impossible to do that here.

[GreenMonster]

How much of a permit process do you have to deal with for a project like that up there? It would be nearly impossible to do that here.

Not too bad. Replacing/repairing anything existing <50' is a "minimum impact" permit. A few questions about how much area is impacted, how much fill is removed, how much is brought in. A few scaled drawings (I do in AutoCAD) -- not bad.

anything above 50' is a "Standard Dredge and Fill" which is basically the same, with a few more ?'s.

Fairly easy process as long as there is an existing wall. Harder to get a permit if it is a new wall, unless there is a good reason to install one. This one for example, the highest section of the wall to the right is all new. We were able to get the permit by explaining the slope from the road all the way down to the lake created a lot of run-off during rain storms and spring thaw, creating erosion and allowing everything to dump right into the lake, instead of "leeching".

[Meadowbrook]

I noticed that in your "Goddess of the Sea" picture there is an additional Allen Block retaining wall against the house, behind your mini-ex, did you build that wall at the same time or was that a previous project. BTW, picturesque work, now ya gotta sell them some mulch or stone and plants and for God's sake, buy them some paint for their house! ;)

Chris

[GreenMonster]

I noticed that in your "Goddess of the Sea" picture there is an additional Allen Block retaining wall against the house, behind your mini-ex, did you build that wall at the same time or was that a previous project. BTW, picturesque work, now ya gotta sell them some mulch or stone and plants and for God's sake, buy them some paint for their house! ;)

Chris

yeah, the other wall was a quickie last year -- we were doing w/f walls down the street.

We'll work on them over the winter for mulch and plants next spring!

[D Felix]

Ahhh, so this is your PITA customer that tried to lowball you, huh?

Looks good. Wish we could get some decent days in on our wall. Seems as if a rain cloud has been parked over central IN for the last 2 months................


Dan

[GreenMonster]

Ahhh, so this is your PITA customer that tried to lowball you, huh?

Looks good. Wish we could get some decent days in on our wall. Seems as if a rain cloud has been parked over central IN for the last 2 months................


Dan

yeah, this is the one. Unfortunately for them, they ended up paying full price :) payup

plus, additional two courses were extra :D

good luck with yours, I hope to see pics soon hint, hint, nudge, nudge

[sodgod]

Wow looks great!! how deep did you go for the base? How rough does the lake get....is it posible that the water might wash away some of the foundation? It really looks good. nice choice of brick....now all you have to do is do something with the rest of the place :rolleyes:

[GreenMonster]

Wow looks great!! how deep did you go for the base? How rough does the lake get....is it posible that the water might wash away some of the foundation? It really looks good. nice choice of brick....now all you have to do is do something with the rest of the place :rolleyes:

The base is about 10" of 3/4" crushed stone, plus one block completely buried. total below grade = 18" or so.

We did two others last year on the same road, and have seen no problems with the base to date.

Yes, this lake is busy and gets quite rough.

The base of the wall should be lined with rip-rap, but everyone refuses it.

[KathysLGC]

Wow! I hope some day i will learn how to do things like that. There is so much money to be made here on the gold coast but i just don't have a clue on how to even begin. I guess a good start would be school. LoL

[Penpro]

Very nice Green....BTW, what are you going to do when the guy dies and can't finish payng ..........sorry....that wasn't nice........No rip-rap? That would look beautiful, and probably add value to the home..........anyways..good job!

[GreenMonster]

Very nice Green....BTW, what are you going to do when the guy dies and can't finish payng ..........sorry....that wasn't nice........No rip-rap? That would look beautiful, and probably add value to the home..........anyways..good job!


Paid in full, my friend, paid in full payup

Playboy, get some technical sheets and install instructions from the Allan Block website. That's a great starting point and should allow you to get going on some small walls without much trouble.

[Meadowbrook]

Maybe when they call you in to do the plantings and mulch, you should throw the rip-rap idea out there, never know, since they're spending money already, whats a couple more bucks......in your pocket payup

Chris

[GreenMonster]

We already talked about the rip-rap -- why it is a "requirement" for a waterfront wall. They don't want it. I brought in a whole truckload for the other two walls down the road last year, and it didn't go in. they felt it took away from the wall.

[Meadowbrook]

Well, that kinda blows, oh well, there's always more houses along that waterfront that I'm sure could use walls put in.

Chris

[GreenMonster]

Well, that kinda blows, oh well, there's always more houses along that waterfront that I'm sure could use walls put in.

Chris

No biggie. I have enough other stuff to get done.

I think I already mentioned this, but both neighbors will be entertaining quotes for next fall :) I heard throught the grapevine that one is already a lock. Plus, two more up the lake a bit are essentially on board.

[Meadowbrook]

Can't complain about that. By now you should be asking your block supplier for discounts since you've already bought so much from them, maybe if you can strike a deal, you could get an extra 100 or 200 bucks out of it.

Chris

[GreenMonster]

We get the same contractor discount as everyone else. I charge my customer their published retail prices, so the discount goes right in my pocket. Why should I sell the materials to the customer cheaper than what they can get it for, right?

I use this particular distributor almost exclusively, but, I'm still small time compared to many of their customers. They sell all kinds of concrete products, including standard block used for building construction, so the big boys use them when buildings like Wal-Mart's go up too.