How to fill gap under sleeper?

[snipwhip]

Hi all, 

There's a gap under my sleeper which has been there for as long as I can remember.  The garden there slopes towards the stormwater drain in the corner and I can only assume it's eroded away over the last 20 years when it was less green and more dirt.

What's the best way to fill in this gap and probably level that section of the yard somewhat while still maintaining the necessary drainage? 

Thanks

  

[AlanM52]

Hi @snipwhip,

I suggest fence palings behind the high end of the sleepers.
Levelling out that corner could be problematic.

You want to level on the left but the ground id rising on the right.

Cheers

[snipwhip]

Thanks @AlanM52. Sorry not sure I follow. Do you mean put a fence paling behind the high end to close the gap? Can I use levelling mix top dressing or soil to fill in under the sleeper and blend into the gradient of the slope towards the drain. 

[EricL]

Hello @snipwhip 

I'm thinking cutting the paling to create a cover wedge under the round sleeper. The other thing that comes to mind is to use mortar under the sleeper to permanently cover the gap. I'm just a bit worried that top dressing or soil will get washed away when a heavy downpour comes by. 

Eric

[AlanM52]

Hi @snipwhip,

Yes... paling behind and you can saw at the yellow line to taper or mortar as @EricL suggested.

My feeling is the paling will blend in better than mortar.

Cheers

[snipwhip]

Thanks @AlanM52 @EricL. I guess as this is on ground,  I will need h4 palings? Also, with the dressing, can I say cut out a thatch of lawn and compact the dressing under it to raise the level then replace the lawn so it starts rooting into it? That might prevent wash off?

[MitchellMc]

Most of our pailings would be H3 @snipwhip, so you might be best using 100 x 25mm 4.8m Wet H4 Treated Pine Sawn Garden Edging. You could certainly then add some topdressing to the area under the pole and run a strip of grass there to help disguise the gap.

Mitchell

[AlanM52]

Hi @snipwhip,

Lets step back and have another look.

Start by digging out to lower that end which will reduce the 'soil gap'.

When needed I have used palings behind timber edging (20-30 years) and they have lasted a long time and even when they start to rot they will keep on doing the job because the soil will likely have compacted. Eventually when needed replacing is a easy task that requires no digging. As each rotten paling is picked/pulled out you are left with a 'earth slot', slide the replacement in and tap down.

Cheers