Can I install sleepers against house?

[JesseS6]

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?

[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]

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]

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]

@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]

Hi Jesse,

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

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]

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]

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

[EricL]

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