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Can I install sleepers against house?

Hello,

Our backyard originally had a significant slope. After landscaping, we added a large amount of soil and graded it away from the house to meet the height of the fence plinth. We also have a stormwater pit positioned right in the middle of the yard. As a result, the area now has a steep slope from the house down to the pit, and then a more level section from the pit to the fence.

I’d like to achieve a more level yard overall.

Is there any issues with install sleepers just off the house (red line in photo) and then lowering the lawn to be level?

Behind the sleepers I would either fill with dirt, or a scoria/drainage rock, with agi pipe running along the bottom. This protects the slab, keeps water off the slab and also lowers the lawn, only taking up 100mm or so.

Does this create any issues? IMG_3142 2.jpg

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @JesseS6,

If you're not retaining the soil for a particular reason, I don't think there's any real need to install sleepers along that wall. If anything, it would just be creating a barrier that wasn't there before that prevents water from flowing away from the house naturally. The only place that might need some sleepers is at the top left of the photo, where the house ends, and the side path enters, as there would be a drop in height.

Personally, I think you'd be better off just removing the soil to reduce the slope and installing a Drainage Channel along the wall and having a plumber connect it to the stormwater drain.

You only need about 20-25 millimetres of fall per metre for surface water to run away from the foundations, so looking at your photo, it looks like you can reduce the slope by a fair bit while still maintaining surface drainage. If water pools for any reason, the drainage channel will capture it and carry it away.

Allow me to tag @AlanM52, @Nailbag and @Dave-1 to see what they think.

Jacob

JesseS6

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/60001#Comment_60001

Thanks @JacobZ

very helpful!

the only reason I suggest the sleepers is removing the dirt to lower the slope will expose the slab under the house. The sleepers were just to cover up the slab.

are there any other ways that I could cover the slab just for visuals?

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92455#Comment_92455

Hi @JesseS6,

Anything added against the slab is just going to act as something to hold moisture against it, so unfortunately, it's likely best to just leave it exposed.

If you absolutely had to, something with grooves on the back like this SpecRite 2m Merbau Tapered Garden Border Roll might be the way to go.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

JesseS6

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/112317#Comment_112317

@JacobZ Thanks, so there is no issue if the slab is exposed?

Are there any other options that could be used to cover it, like a sleeper with drainage rock behind it?

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123676#Comment_123676

Hi Jesse,

RE: So there is no issue if the slab is exposed?

IMG_3142 2b.jpg

Exposing the slab is OK but you might have a cosmetic issue.

Usually the slab extends out about 300mm and may be unsightly.

If you dig down in the white area and take/post some photos.

Cheers

Nailbag

Hi @JesseS6

I would agree with @JacobZ and definitely take the easiest and most effective approach and remove soil from the house side. Other than a cosmetic concern, the slab can be fully exposed the remainder of life without any structural issue. So, my approach would be to come out further inline with the inspection vent and run a garden edge of your choice and fill with low growing shrubs. I wouldn't even worry about any drainage for such a small garden bed. This leaves bare minimum grading required to level the remaining grassed area.

Nailbag

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123676#Comment_123676

Hello @JesseS6

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @AlanM52 and @Nailbag. If you are worried about the look of your slab, I propose painting it the same colour as your bricks to disguise its look.

Eric

JesseS6

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131167#Comment_131167

Thanks everyone, @EricL is there any issues with rendering the slab that ends up exposed?

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135763#Comment_135763

Hello @JesseS6

I don't recommend on covering the slab with render as it might interfere with its draining functions.

Let me call on our experienced member @Nailbag for his recommendations.

Eric

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135763#Comment_135763

Hi @JesseS6 not that I’m aware of but personally I wouldn’t go to that trouble and expense. Plus it wouldn’t hold up to a line trimmer. If you don’t want a garden bed as I suggested earlier, then consider covering it with a corten sheet.

Nailbag

JesseS6

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138877#Comment_138877

Thanks @Nailbag , the corten sheet sounds like a good idea. I don't want to loose to much of the yard as it is not very big in the first place.

How would you attach the corten sheet? and could it be more or less flush with the slab?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140977#Comment_140977

Good Evening @JesseS6

When I have been digging out next to the brickwork for various things I have "hit" my concrete foundations. Sometimes it has looked nice and others it was a bit of "how are you going" Maybe remove the soil to the depth of the foundation top only and see what it looks like, then even out your yard with top soil to creat a gentler slope? You could even go for a gravel trench half way along it topped with top soil and grass if you really have a concern about excess water but I would probarlly not worry about that.

If the foundation looks rough ish, then I was thinking of a leveling compound for outside. @AlanM52 has already mentioned the cosmetic potential look (Which I missed 🙂 ) @EricL or @JacobZ may know of one and only using enough to make it smooth and pretty. That will be the new level point so there is no edge. I am thinking.

Dave

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142533#Comment_142533

CC: @JesseS6,

I did mention that Dave.

IMG_3142 2b.jpg

Dig out in the white area to have a look see.

Cheers

AlanM52

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143637#Comment_143637

CC: @Dave-1

Oops... Ignore that last post 🙂

Cheers

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140977#Comment_140977

Hi @JesseS6

Something simple like green wall plugs to fasten the sheet and run a beed of silicone along the top edge to stop water getting in behind. Or depending on height, you could use steel garden edging. The thicker 5mm would have to come from a local garden supplies available in different heights, 5mm thick x 6mtr lengths. Very durable as would be the coreten when line trimming against. The edging would be staked into place.