Getting ready to build the retaining wall

The next step in this project is to get the area ready for building a retaining wall in the 'ground floor', so that the clay and soil from garden beds does not come crumbling onto it in the wet season.

Before we do this, I had to dig some more trenches to allow us to put the drainage that will keep the lower floor from becoming a pool during the wet season. For this, I needed to dig a trench running along the left-side (next to the side fence), and from there I needed to dig another trench along which PVC tube will run, taking the water from the drain into the rainwater pipe that is right next to the water feature.

One last thing - never underestimate the amount of rubbish that every step will generate. Some weeks ago I hired a Ute and took a lot of the formwork that I pulled out when cleaning the area. After todays work, I ended up with another pile (albeit a bit smaller) that will need to be disposed as well. I may just wait for the pile to grow before I make another trip to the tip.

Never underestimate the amount of rubbish you can create!

What a mess we made when we built the foundations!!

The steps came quite nicely from the formwork

Panoramic view of bottom level

Notice the trench on the left for the drainage, and the reinforced steel bars for the retaining walls

Concrete slab for the base of the water feature, with a trench to connect the drainage on the left

Another view of the water feature slab and the trench for drainage

Cleaning it out and getting ready for the drains (25 Feb 2006)

Over the last 2 weekends I worked in pulling the formwork out or cutting the bits that stuck out when the rest was embedded in the concrete. The next step is to dig some small trenches, and then fixing the drain and connecting it to the plumbing.

This is the concrete slab that will become the base of the water feature.

The black 'pit' will house the pump and filter.

Another view of the slab & pit, with some of the plumbing visible

The bottom PVC tube will feed water to keep the water feature with

water always (will have a mechanism similar to that of a toilet)

The top (smaller) tube will be the backflow pipe for when it rains too much,

avoiding flooding of the lower level

This is a view of the foundation on which the wall on the upper level will rest.

Notice the PVC tube at the back for electrical connections

Getting rid of the formwork in the steps was quite hard work.

When I took this photo, I still neded to get rid of the one in the second step.

This was the most mpressive concrete foundation of the whole project.

Pulling the form out was tricky, and I had to leave the wood

at the bottom (gave it sort of a nice finish though).

What a work of art!!!!

The row of reo bars were set to enable the creation of a retention wall

that will ensure a safe & sound lower level. The retention wall needs

to go at the back (water feature) on the fence side, and to the sides

of the steps that go from the lower to the upper level

This are the steps from one level o the other

And I thought I was done taking rubbish to the tip!!