Question about grading around pool deck

[MommaJ]

Hello! We are in the middle of our build on Florida's Space Coast and the PB just finished grading the yard in preparation for the pool deck. Our yard is about an acre and has a relatively significant slope in the back yard( significant for Florida, anyway). From the house to the back of the deck is about a 3 ft difference. The original owners told us they basically ran out of money so they did not bring in any more full dirt at that point.

Anyway, what do you think of this drop off? We've already brought in 10 truckloads of dirt in addition to keeping all of the dirt that was excavated from the dig. We will have a paver deck and screen enclosure that goes roughly to the ends of the mound. Are we going to need a retaining wall?

They do not have any more dirt delivery scheduled and are about to pick up the bobcat for another job.

We are responsible for paying for the full dirt so I am wondering what is more cost effective- more dirt or a retaining wall? Or do you think we will be ok once we put sod down to keep the erosion at bay?

Here are some pics.

 

[rccarps2]

We had a similar situation with our build. Our lot had a nice slope to it and we originally thought we could just keep adding dirt to get the pitch away from the pool the way we wanted. After talking to the landscaper we realized it was going to be so much dirt, plus it would have taken us close to some wetlands behind the house. So we opted for a retaining wall just a few feet off the coping. See the picture below.

Breakdown
- 4 tons of stone base
- 1 ton of sand
- 6 tons of drainage stone
- 10 "corner" units
- 112 sq/ft of 6" x 16" wall block
- Fabric
- Case of masonry adhesive
- Additional material to build the steps

Total approximately $6,000

 

[bmoreswim]

So you mention three options:

1) Retaining wall
2) More dirt
3) Grow something on it to keep it from eroding

Since you are building a structure and deck on top of the elevated area, I would nix option 3. There is too much riding on having that dirt stay put. Either of the other two are valid options. And would be pretty easy to price out. You can probably already estimate how much the dirt and bobcat costs are to get you back as far as you want to go. But the questions seem to then be, a) what do you want to be able to do with that land back there?, b) at what elevation would it work best to have that land.

With extra dirt, you'd need to know how far back beyond the screenhouse you need to go at that level. If it's just to provide support, I'd say 3-4' the taper it down about 1/2 or 1/3 as steep as it is now. The 3-4' would be minimum to me for my comfort level. I'd actually prefer to see you go back like 15-20' at the same elevation then taper. That way the back section is all usable and at the same elevation.

But the more I look at your lot, I'd say a retaining wall probably make the most sense. It gives you a clean separation between pool area and a lowered, flat back yard area.

Both will be pricey but the wall provides great definition to the space. Going with dirt makes some of it unusable due to slope. Or if you take the dirt back, you will never really go back all the way with dirt elevated because it's just too much volume.

So if I've interpreted the pictures correctly, I'd say pony up for a wall. It's not like it needs to be super fancy material because it's mostly going to face the brush area. Mostly just a lot of thinking out loud - hopefully there is some food for thought there.

 

[psualum]

We had a similar situation with our build. Our lot had a nice slope to it and we originally thought we could just keep adding dirt to get the pitch away from the pool the way we wanted. After talking to the landscaper we realized it was going to be so much dirt, plus it would have taken us close to some wetlands behind the house. So we opted for a retaining wall just a few feet off the coping. See the picture below.

Breakdown
- 4 tons of stone base
- 1 ton of sand
- 6 tons of drainage stone
- 10 "corner" units
- 112 sq/ft of 6" x 16" wall block
- Fabric
- Case of masonry adhesive
- Additional material to build the steps

Total approximately $6,000

Only issue with your quote is that if the original poster is not handy, the labor cost for installing it will be as much, if not more, than the materials for the wall. I just did a 85 foot long retaining wall (highest spot is about 36 inches) and I, too, had materials approaching $5,000.00. I used Versa-loc block. Anyway, the block company that I purchased the materials from told me my wall would cost between $14,000-$16,000 if I had a hardscaper install it. Labor adds up quickly on a job like this.

 

[AftonJeeper]

Retaining walls are much more than fill dirt, even if you built the wall yourself. I would have them bring in several more loads of dirt and make a nice transition down. There is no way you could safely mow at that angle.

 

[rccarps2]

Only issue with your quote is that if the original poster is not handy, the labor cost for installing it will be as much, if not more, than the materials for the wall. I just did a 85 foot long retaining wall (highest spot is about 36 inches) and I, too, had materials approaching $5,000.00. I used Versa-loc block. Anyway, the block company that I purchased the materials from told me my wall would cost between $14,000-$16,000 if I had a hardscaper install it. Labor adds up quickly on a job like this.

That was the price installed by the landscaper.

Here is the actual breakdown. The only portion missing is the steps, which I added the cost in from memory.

4 tons of ¾” minus base stone $140.00
1 tons of concrete sand for setting bed $35.00
6 tons of ¾” clean drainage stone $210.00
10 corner units $80.00
112 sq. ft. of 6” x 16” wall block $1,683.00
40 cap units $320.00
Geotextile fabric and staples to secure to sub base $81.00
½ case of masonry adhesive $49.00
Materials $2,598.00
Labor cost $2,875.00
Total cost $5,473.00


RC

 

[MommaJ]

Thank you for all of your input. I like how your retaining wall looks, rccarps2. I think it would look nice for sure. We are a little handy, but I don't know about retaining wall handy ;-).

I agree, the angle of the slope is probably too much to put grass on, mow and be certain it won't erode away. More dirt would probably be cheaper if we are looking at a $6000+ retaining wall. Dirt is about $150 per truckload and I imagine we will need about 10. plus sod, though, so there is that.

PB said we can revisit it when the deck is done. He had to get it level for now so the tile, stonework, footers and pavers can be done. So I guess that gives me a couple weeks to think it through. I just had no idea we were so low!

 

[psualum]

That was the price installed by the landscaper.

Here is the actual breakdown. The only portion missing is the steps, which I added the cost in from memory.

4 tons of ¾” minus base stone $140.00
1 tons of concrete sand for setting bed $35.00
6 tons of ¾” clean drainage stone $210.00
10 corner units $80.00
112 sq. ft. of 6” x 16” wall block $1,683.00
40 cap units $320.00
Geotextile fabric and staples to secure to sub base $81.00
½ case of masonry adhesive $49.00
Materials $2,598.00
Labor cost $2,875.00
Total cost $5,473.00


RC

WOW! I'm impressed! What part of Pennsylvania are you located? I need your hardscaper! LOL ....Not kidding...!

 

[rccarps2]

WOW! I'm impressed! What part of Pennsylvania are you located? I need your hardscaper! LOL ....Not kidding...!

Yea, we got lucky in finding this guy.

We are located in Southern Chester County. The hardscaper/lanscaper is out of Delaware. So it looks a little far from you.

We have a family friend who just started a hardscaping business up in that area and is hungry for jobs. If interested, shoot me a PM and I will send you his info.

RC

 

[ctrav]

I hope it's ok to ask....how are the solar pads working out? Due to the shape of our pool I was thinking of using the same thing...Thanks

 

[rccarps2]

I hope it's ok to ask....how are the solar pads working out? Due to the shape of our pool I was thinking of using the same thing...Thanks

I really don't know yet. I just put them on last week after we opened up. We also just installed a heat pump, which we haven't been able to really use since the temps have been in the 50s at night at high 60s during the day.

I figure they can't hurt, and at about $15 a piece it's worth a shot.

 

[ctrav]

Thanks rccarps2...where did you get them?

 

[rccarps2]

Thanks rccarps2...where did you get them?

Here ya go.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGRXR2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ctrav]

Thanks...