Apr 19 2014

Block retaining wall continued

The wall is taking shape nicely, but I am still not sure how I am going to finalize the end. I guess I’ll work that out when I get there..

wpid-IMG_0972-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

Foundation is started. A gravel drain on the backside was installed on the back side to to prevent excess water pressure from casing wall collapse.

.wpid-IMG_7143-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

I custom cut the top and glued the cap pieces around the curve and decided to put an loop at the end for flowers.

wpid-IMG_7147-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

wpid-IMG_7149-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

Back fill the low area with top soil and plant some grass.

wpid-IMG_7158-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

The final result. I like it….

wpid-IMG_2203-2014-04-19-19-01.jpg

Apr 10 2014

Block retaining wall

After the trees were removed, I had to decide on what to do with the slope of the yard. I have never like the 4 ft drop of the yard.

wpid-IMG_0798-2014-04-10-18-47.jpg

The decision was made to make a block retaining wall.

One of the hardest parts of the project was hand digging out the remains of the stump so I could lay the foundation for the wall. What a mess, but it was interesting to flow the roots out. Such a massive tree with not much holding it up.

wpid-IMG_7105-2014-04-10-18-47.jpg

A foundation was laid to stack the bricks on …

wpid-IMG_7115-2014-04-10-18-47.jpg

I ended up buying 2 1/2 truck loads of bricks.

wpid-IMG_7112-2014-04-10-18-47.jpg

Apr 02 2014

Sewer Upgrade

I have been having problems with clogging of my sewer line. After the last time the city came out to clean the main line apparently they decided to fix the issue once and for all….

wpid-IMG_0202-2014-04-2-18-38.jpg

When the line was removed there was a big slug of tree roots (the brown slug in the center of the picture) growing in the sewer line from a cracked clay pipe.

wpid-IMG_0211-2014-04-2-18-38.jpg

The line was replaced with a PVC line,

wpid-IMG_0214-2014-04-2-18-38.jpg

and the yard restored with sod. The amazing thing is it only took the crew about 2 hours to complete the work. Yeah! No more backups.

wpid-IMG_0220-2014-04-2-18-38.jpg

Apr 01 2014

Tree cutting

Lately I have been getting concerned about try limb overhangs, rotten limbs, etc and decided to have some tree cut down. In total I had 6 trees removed. I love it now and should have a lot less leave to rack in the fall….

wpid-IMG_0175-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

These trees are crazy tall so I hired some tree cutters…

wpid-IMG_0191-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

Rot area on my hickory tree.

wpid-IMG_0258-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

Glad I took these big guys down. I’ll be much safer if a hurricane comes through.

wpid-IMG_0233-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

wpid-IMG_0320-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

I find it fascinating that the Allen the tree climber just loves getting up in trees and cutting limbs. I guess it is all in what you get used to and being safe

.wpid-IMG_0286-2014-04-1-18-26.jpg

Donnie the tree man. I like this shot, but Donnie gave me the run around and didn’t grind out one of the stomps after I paid him. Taught me a less about contractors.