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paulz
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 11:42am - Edited by: paulz
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My cabin sits on a steep slope that I cut a flat area into. The foundation itself sits on hard ground but the 4-6 foot area outside is fill from the cut that I put over the side. I have noticed some cracking this summer (maybe 1/2" wide and 2' deep so far and would like to stabilize this area. A neighbor thinks I could rent a pile driver and pound 3" diameter pipe into the ground, anyone ever done this? Should I fill the cracks to prevent water filling them when the rains come? I'll probably tarp the area anyway as I did last winter.
EDIT: I see I can rent a gas powered post driver for $100 a day, anyone used one or know how big a stake it can drive?
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 03:40pm
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It's called soil nailing or soil pinning. I don't think its a good DIY project. To be effective, you will likely have to drive far more pipes than you imagine and much deeper. How many and how deep? That's the question for a geoengineer.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 03:56pm
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I'm wondering if the cracking is just settling of the fill, which I would expect if it was done in the last few years. It may settle out by itself. Aside from that, if it continues to move down and threaten the cabin, I agree with NorthRick that it's a job for the pros.
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paulz
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 05:10pm
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Thanks guys. Yes it is probably just the fill settling. I am going to fill the cracks with dirt, water it in, let it sit through a rain or two then cover for the heavy rains.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 08:15pm
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The foundation itself sits on hard ground but the 4-6 foot area outside is fill from the cut that I put over the side.
I would just plant a few more trees on the hill for long term sake and fill in every year till it settles down. It may take about two years.
Since your foundation is on solid ground, I would not spend any money.
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Coastal
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 10:20pm
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Straw is pretty common around here in the extreme rain for slope stabilization on new construction.
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Don_P
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2015 10:21pm
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Try not to have water draining into that fill, making it heavier and lubricating it for gravity to work on it. If you can get groundcover established to prevent erosion. If you feel a need a whacker tamper from the rental yard would probably be the most bang for the buck.
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leonk
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2015 10:08am
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I agree - divert the rainfall and snow melt and establish ground cover.
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creeky
Member
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2015 10:29am
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that's a pretty steep slope. and there doesn't appear to be a lot of sun getting through. so tricky getting a ground cover established.
I've seen (though not tried it) fabric with galvanized chain link fencing pinned over it used on tricky slopes before.
might want to have a google.
here's a schematic from maryland I found
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Littlecooner
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2015 09:16pm - Edited by: Littlecooner
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The faster the velocity, the deeper and quicker the erosion on new, non compacted fill. Littlecooners law of erosion, 2015!! I see a steep roof, long way to the ground and fresh fill just below where the rain runs off the roof. Question - is all you erosion due to no gutters or no swale at the bottom of where the rain runs off the roof? Any way, you do not indicate what part of the North American continent your cabin is located within, but a quick google search should yield some seed that would be quick vegetation for cover (erosion control) while mother nature settles your new fill site back to a compacted nature. Try millet or rye grass, will usually sprout and start growing within days of the first sign of moisture. Mother natures freeze and thaw cycles this winter will help greatly to re compact the new fill. You can also buy some jute mesh erosion control netting that could be placed over the fresh dirt, helps in preventing the little rivelutes you are encountering. No action and those little normal rivelutes will turn into big gullies this winter in the rain season and you will loose all your non compacted fill to your neighbor down stream. Its called best management practices for erosion control for your google search.
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paulz
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 01:12pm
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Darn, just got back from the cabin (it's only 20 miles away from my house, 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Northern California Redwoods) and meant to take more photos. Anyway the fill has been there about two years and some ground cover is starting to grow on the slope, looks like ivy or something. And yes, I didn't have gutters up yet last year and there is a distinct line and recession of the dirt outboard of the eves.
Yesterday I filled the cracks with dirt, I guess that's about all I can do for them. Going to investigate the netting, fabric, grasses etc. you've mentioned. Thanks for advice. Got a heap of work in this cabin and love it, need to keep it!
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 02:42pm
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What's below that fill? Anything worth worrying about if it decides to just slide down the hill?
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2015 03:12pm
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Nothing, clear sailing! A lot of trees and vegetation. Would be a bummer non the less.
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hctim57
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2015 11:33pm
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Paul....you didn't mention the two hefty cables you have around two large uphill redwoods attached to your gables that will keep your cabin in place if there is further erosion. The other good news is that your foundation is not concreted so you can easily level your cabin if the ground drops a bit.
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