Landslip

[Rabs]

Write a song about it. "Will the Landslip bring me down? No. Will the Landslip bring me dooown?"

Hes not Scottish you know

 

;)

[Tman]

Hes not Scottish you know

 

;)

 

It was meant to be the word sustained. I like the Scottish inference though. Now I can imagine Mike Meyers dressed up like Stevie Nicks singing.

[Blueblooded]

Not sure how much it could help prevent further movement, but maybe you could drive some long pieces of re-bar down into hillside, say 8 to 10 feet deep in a dozen or more spots to try to add some security to it all? Might help hold things in place?

[jdgm]

Update, 27 Jan 2016. And it has kept on raining.

 

This is what has happened this morning. By the time you read this it will be worse.

The shed is destroyed and gradually buckling because of the weight. Lucky I emptied it - I tried but couldn't shift it one inch on my own.

Skilsaw's idea of covering with a tarp to stop any more rain was good in theory, but not in practice - the high winds just blew it away.

 

I haven't found anyone who can sort this out yet, however just got a return call from a calm and professional-sounding guy who will come have a look tomorrow morning.

 

The home insurance have rejected my claim and advised me to "employ a specialist geotechnical engineer".

Sure, while I'm at it I may as well call in a couple of nuclear physicists and a brain surgeon.

 

There is very limited access to the site through a side gate and NO chance at all of getting any heavy machinery (i.e. a JCB digger) in here. What was my garden is now a muddy quagmire.

 

I have no idea how this will turn out. Except it may cost me most/all my savings.

 

And I know many people (including on this forum) have bigger problems, but this one is enough for me.

 

 

 

 

BTW - last night I drove 35 miles to rehearsal in torrential monsoon-like rain, then 35 miles back. Roads all flooding, far too dangerous. I have told both bands I'm in that I won't be coming if the weather is like that.

 

Best wishes.

[Mr. Gibson]

So what's under the black dirt? Looks like gravel from here, looks like the roots won't grow down into it.

[Rabs]

Ohh man.. Disaster..

 

Don't know what to say.. I just hope the solution is not as costly as you think...

 

Good luck with it and let us know how it goes....

[stein]

I been watching this thread, and thinking of something good to add or say, but I don't.

 

From where I see it, all of the solutions I can come up with are costly.

 

But on the other hand, until and unless it actually threatens the house or DOES effect the house, I'm not sure you have to do anything.

 

DISCLAIMER: I can't actually see everything here, so don't take this as "advice", but rather at most just for consideration that you might ask others.

 

If you were to let nature take it's course, it seems your biggest problem might be the sharper bank that exist now will turn into a softer bank that extends into the neighbors yard above past the fence there now. That might mean your only "work" is getting rid of some dirt, which COULD be done with a couple guys with a couple wheelbarrows and some hard work.

 

Not sure how the laws work where you are, but I find it hard to believe that you would be required to maintain or build an expensive retaining wall to contain the hill falling on you to preserve the yard of the neighbor above. This might be their problem as much as yours.

[capmaster]

Oh my God! Sadly I don't have a helpful idea to contribute, so all I can do is cross my fingers for you.

[Guest Farnsbarns]

I been watching this thread, and thinking of something good to add or say, but I don't.

 

From where I see it, all of the solutions I can come up with are costly.

 

But on the other hand, until and unless it actually threatens the house or DOES effect the house, I'm not sure you have to do anything.

 

DISCLAIMER: I can't actually see everything here, so don't take this as "advice", but rather at most just for consideration that you might ask others.

 

If you were to let nature take it's course, it seems your biggest problem might be the sharper bank that exist now will turn into a softer bank that extends into the neighbors yard above past the fence there now. That might mean your only "work" is getting rid of some dirt, which COULD be done with a couple guys with a couple wheelbarrows and some hard work.

 

Not sure how the laws work where you are, but I find it hard to believe that you would be required to maintain or build an expensive retaining wall to contain the hill falling on you to preserve the yard of the neighbor above. This might be their problem as much as yours.

 

Completely agree. Moving it will be a major pain but not insurmountable. I'd come a do a day's digging and barrowing for you.

[Mr. Gibson]

200 kids with Tonka Trucks and Tonka Payloaders be the cheapest😬

['Scales]

Completely agree. Moving it will be a major pain but not insurmountable. I'd come a do a day's digging and barrowing for you.

 

I'm inclined to agree based on the pics. If that's the worst that its going to do given the extraordinary amount of rainfall the UK has had - it looks like a few hours labour to get back to something like how it was. I did notice it appears that the worst of it seems to sit above the retaining wall behind the shed - does that wall have appropriate drainage and is it clear?

[jdgm]

So what's under the black dirt? Looks like gravel from here, looks like the roots won't grow down into it.

Loam consisting (I think) of clay and sand. There were big trees just the other side of that fence at the top and a massive sycamore with 3 trunks my side and to the right (out of pic).

Those trees would have sucked up an awful lot of the water BUT would not be doing so at this time of year, and so I'm very glad indeed they were all taken down as they were huge.

 

I would also like to agree with Stein and say it looks worse than it is but I simply cannot make that assumption.

The chance of the neighbours' ground moving is very remote at the moment but this may not always be the case, given the changing climate.

The good news is that 2 of the groundwork contractors I contacted have now got back to me and are coming for a look tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday - so I will get quotes/estimates and a good idea of what is the best course of action.

 

Completely agree. Moving it will be a major pain but not insurmountable. I'd come a do a day's digging and barrowing for you.

I thank you very much for that offer Farns. Hope it won't be necessary. I will be re-distributing the earth around the garden....

 

I'm inclined to agree based on the pics. If that's the worst that its going to do given the extraordinary amount of rainfall the UK has had - it looks like a few hours labour to get back to something like how it was. I did notice it appears that the worst of it seems to sit above the retaining wall behind the shed - does that wall have appropriate drainage and is it clear?

 

It didn't have drainage and is now collapsed! Built 40 yrs ago when times and building regs were different, really only there to make it look a bit tidier.

 

I honestly think that though it has been an "extraordinary amount of rainfall" - yes...but this IS going to become ordinary and regular in the future.

I've seen pics and reports of terrible and deadly landslides in the Americas, thought it wouldn't happen here but now I can believe it will become commonplace. We've had roads in Scotland and railways in Cornwall washed away in the last couple of years.

A small one now and proper remedial action taken is far better than a big one further down the line IMO. So far I have got off lightly.

 

Many thanks once again for your replies and suggestions.

[stein]

Loam consisting (I think) of clay and sand. There were big trees just the other side of that fence at the top and a massive sycamore with 3 trunks my side and to the right (out of pic).

Those trees would have sucked up an awful lot of the water BUT would not be doing so at this time of year, and so I'm very glad indeed they were all taken down as they were huge.

 

 

The chance of the neighbours' ground moving is very remote at the moment but this may not always be the case, given the changing climate.

 

Usually, when big trees are taken down, it will effect the ground where it was and around for some years to come. Same disclaimer, but I'd guess that has a lot to do with what is happening now.

 

2 things: not just "sucking up water", but rather, the roots literally hold the ground together. Also, the roots left in the ground eventually rot or compose, and that can take years. I'm making a guess that the shape of the land and the location of the tress are inter-connected.

 

As for the future, how long we talking? 5 years? 20? even without shifts in climate, the ground is ALWAYS changing, according to what we do and what nature does. My only contribution to this thread is basically to say, sometimes just getting out of the way is an option, rather than spending money to try and stop it. THAT all depends on a good evaluation on if and how much you are IN the way. And/or the quality of your insurance company, of corse.

[skilsaw]

Sorry to see the problem progress so quickly!

Just last week you posted the first pictures.

Too bad that covering the slope in plastic to keep the rain off didn't work.

Now that we know that wind would blow the plastic off the slope, it was predictable.

Hind sight is 20/20

 

Wish I could come with my wellies, shovel and wheelbarrow to help you out. It's a bit far though. About 8 time zones, however far that is.

[jdgm]

Too bad that covering the slope in plastic to keep the rain off didn't work.

Now that we know that wind would blow the plastic off the slope, it was predictable.

 

Had 1st groundwork contractor round this morning. He won't touch it.

Said I should get 'cellweb' which is a netting you can buy...then plant as many fast-growing quick-rooting plants as possible.

So I've got to find out what plants do that.

 

I'm not finished with the plastic idea though - I've just ordered 2 big rolls of black plastic which WILL keep much of the rain off and which I am going to make damn secure (somehow).

Hope that will get here by the weekend. Not sure what to use to fix it with yet.

 

I'm hoping of course that no more material will come down or break away.

[badbluesplayer]

You're going to end up needing to put up a retaining wall with some kind of drainage system behind it. Timber retaining walls are generally the least expensive solution for that height, but your wall will have to be like 15 feet high - I'm just guessing by looking. That's kind of tall for a timber retaining wall. But that would be the first thing to consider. They're generally built like these pix that I just found. They have timbers along the face and "sleepers" laid back into the good soil. The "deadmen" hold the face and the sleepers together. You'd build the wall so that the face is sloping backward(battered).

 

This pic is a little tilted - it's actually built with the timbers flat and the face battered -

 

But you may need to use "gabions" if the timber wall won't work - like these. But they're quite a bit more expensive. But not as expensive as a concrete wall.

 

Good luck.

[Doug the Old Geezer]

jd, maybe you could create a two or three tier terrace from the bottom to the top, with tile to help with any drainage. Of course it could cost you quite a bit, but it would look nice. :mellow:

[jdgm]

Thanks once again for your input folks.

 

@bbp - yes indeed, many thanks for your thoughts....unfortunately I simply do not have the money to do it. I don't think selling most or even all my guitars would bring in enough!!!!

 

I am now determined to see this as an opportunity not a problem. The bit that came down was bulging a bit anyway but had been stable for a long time.

The removal of the trees at the top must have led to the ground retaining more water, however as I noted I'm very glad the trees are gone.

The big question is, will any more of it come down or will it stay? So far there are no more signs at all of any more of it moving.

 

The groundwork contractor said - bank too steep to landscape, too limited access for heavy machinery or delivery of materials through my narrow side gate (which has drains beneath).

I have another g'work guy coming tomorrow and expect to hear the same thing. Sod 'em.

 

I emptied the shed but didn't have enough common sense to take it apart beforehand (which I have now done). Even so it may be salvageable in part.

 

Today I am thinking I can deal with this myself over 2016. I have ordered lots of black plastic which I am going to cover the bank with so it dries out and won't get sodden again in the spring rains.

That cover will be temporary (the sun's UV will slowly destroy the plastic) then I will most likely get weed protection membrane (expensive), replacing the plastic with that and planting bushes which will grow well and root deep - Rhododendrons or azalea perhaps.

 

And I won't update this again until I've done a lot more.

 

Best wishes to all......