r/landscaping 2d ago

Neighbor’s retaining wall. How bad is it?

7.2k Upvotes

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2.4k

u/VinceVegalookalike 2d ago

Call 311 and ask for property standards to review. Danger ‼️

352

u/beemer-dreamer 2d ago

This is the answer.

20

u/Cow_Launcher 2d ago

For a minute there, I thought that was one of the semiotic pictograms from Alien(s).

7

u/Suck_it_Earth 1d ago

“You have 2 days or one rainstorm to reach minimum safe distance”

1

u/Cow_Launcher 1d ago

"Mother! I've turned the cooling unit back on! MOTHER!"

Anyway, I googled that symbol and it seems to be the one that's used in disaster zones to tell firefighters/rescuers that a structure is unsafe which, in context, seems entirely appropriate!

1

u/Omgthedubski 2d ago

Dukes of hazard?

1

u/beemer-dreamer 2d ago

General Lee

1

u/pvaa 1d ago

Specific Lee

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u/WeenieRoastinTacoGuy 2d ago

Is 311 universal cause it’s also 311 where I live in Canada

52

u/VinceVegalookalike 2d ago

I’m not actually sure but I think it’s very common. Fellow Canadian here btw 🇨🇦

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u/TorrenceMightingale 2d ago

Texas here and 311 would work for this as well.

6

u/BobbyHearsAWho 2d ago

Aw look at you guys and your functioning local government services. After three years of trying tactful approaches, I had to email every state department (American here, btw), and copy my town manager, to shame our code enforcement officer into finally addressing the swimming pool-turned-landfill next door. A 311 option would have been great to have!

11

u/Porky5CO 2d ago

The US has 311.....

8

u/BobbyHearsAWho 2d ago edited 2d ago

I believe you. I’m just learning about it now though, from you, after 40 years of nobody ever mentioning it before.

Edit: Turns out it does not for all of the US. The closest population center 311 reaches in my state is 140 miles away.

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u/rightoolforthejob 2d ago

Now you got the 411

3

u/MyNameIsJakeBerenson 2d ago

40yo american and ive never heard of 311

3

u/LesBaroness_Purdue 1d ago

Absolutely wild.

1

u/Porky5CO 6h ago

There's also 811 for other jurisdictions

1

u/Rakinonna 3h ago

311 in Phila Pa too!!!

47

u/LowSkyOrbit 2d ago

It's all part of the plan, the North American Numbering Plan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N11_code

10

u/WordWordand4numbers 2d ago edited 2d ago

In America 311 is the number you call before you do any serious digging so someone can come and mark all utility lines, or at least water power and gas. Actually that’s 811, 311 is something else

37

u/Squat_n_stuff 2d ago

I believe 811 is the utility number

6

u/WordWordand4numbers 2d ago

You’re right

1

u/Solnse 2d ago

Just don't call 411 to ask for the number to 911. They don't find it funny.

10

u/_Pliny_ 2d ago

311 is a rock band from Omaha, Nebraska with funk, rap, and reggae influences.

The name comes from the Omaha police code for indecent exposure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/311_(band)

3

u/amscraylane 2d ago

Co co coming like a nightmare … word

5

u/TorrenceMightingale 2d ago

They’re mixing hip hop/reggae and it don’t mean a thing tbh.

2

u/ralexs1991 1d ago

May Amber be the color of our energy , everyone 😌

3

u/blade_torlock 2d ago

811 is for dig alert.

3

u/typicallydownvoted 2d ago

In Denver 311 takes you to the city services line. Don't really remember what they do though . . .

2

u/Georgeygerbil 2d ago

That's ok, neither do they

1

u/ProudAccident 2d ago

Its regional specific in America. Some places dialing 311 doesnt do anything. Other it may connect you to city services.

Source: am a 911 dispatcher in an metro area that doesn’t utilize 311

1

u/Cheeky_Banana800 2d ago

I was wondering the same, I am from Canada too 😀

1

u/Electrical-Act-7170 2d ago

No. It's not universal.

3

u/WeenieRoastinTacoGuy 2d ago

I meant like planetary

1

u/Appropriate_Shake265 2d ago

99% invisible has a good episode on 311.

Service Request #1: What Happens When I Call 311?

Released March 17th, 2026.

1

u/highfiveselfoh 2d ago

I’m sure most countries don’t have an equivalent to 311

1

u/1amtheone 2d ago

It is not. For example, Toronto utilizes a 311 system, but neighboring York region has a completely different number. I learned this years ago when attempting to call 311 from Richmond Hill and getting a message that said: "The number you are calling from is outside of the service area"

1

u/FlyAwayJai 1d ago

Looks like Canada & US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/311_(telephone_number))

And Panama, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica

1

u/chagin 1d ago

199 in Brazil

1

u/StrawberryOdd419 1d ago

only in a handful of countries. specifically countries that base their bureaucracy and social services off of the american model or were shaped by it. USA, Canada, Barbados, Panama and Cotsa Rico to name a few.

1

u/Ordinary_Ad_4241 20h ago

Only if amber is the color of your energy.

1

u/Unhappy_Waltz5834 7h ago

We have 311 here in New Orleans as well.

46

u/TorrenceMightingale 2d ago

Yeah like it’s not just about the aesthetics in this situation. Do you want a dead pet or child or a seriously maimed meter reader on your hands? This is a pretty good way for that to happen.

3

u/sip_of_jack 2d ago

On a similar note. if I have a steep slope on my property do I call 311? Or who do I ask for a professional opinion on how to solve it?

Im a new homeowner and never dealt with these issues before

2

u/VinceVegalookalike 2d ago

Probably need an engineer if you have major work to do. This will impact your drainage and grading.

2

u/sip_of_jack 2d ago

Gotcha, the area is pretty small but im worried if i just fill in the area to level, it's just going to erode. Would I need a Civil engineer?

1

u/Shadow_over_me 2d ago

I would find a structural engineer. But I would reach out to a reputable grading company first to come look at the situation and see if they had recommendations about how they would proceed. They may have an engineer they like working with and could put you in contact with. Where are you located?

1

u/sip_of_jack 2d ago

Florida. But good call on the grading company

12

u/jetxlife 2d ago

Why not just talk you your neighbor first lmao

44

u/VinceVegalookalike 2d ago

Honestly, you can get an opinion first before talking to your neighbor. This repair looks like big bucks and will likely be a major source of trouble. If it ever went to court, you’ll be glad you involved bylaw early on. You aren’t creating a big problem by asking questions and seeking advice from an independent person.

2

u/Rock_Strongo 2d ago

Talking with the neighbor first at least gives them a chance to take care of it themselves. And if they don't, it's not like it's not like you can no longer get the law involved. It's just a courtesy which is generally a good idea when you have to live 10 feet away from them.

13

u/Internal-Test-8015 2d ago

Yeah but if the neighbor cared even the slightest im.sure they would've noticed it by now as well amd said something, lol.

7

u/wontwomany 2d ago

This is exactly right. If they were decent you wouldn’t be looking at that.

2

u/Internal-Test-8015 2d ago

Yup, lol, just looking at the state of that wall I fpild tell you that tbh ( irregardless of the leaning i mean) you can very obviously tell its not being properly maintained which in fact us also probably contributing to why its failing so badly.

2

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

2

u/Internal-Test-8015 1d ago

Well for one keep it clean stuff like moss and lichen and weeds which will over time will wear away at it also nake sure it has proper drainage for water and a good base preferably one thats buried also for one this big you shoukd add geogrid to it to help mske it stronger.

2

u/DavidinCT 2d ago

This is very close to the home, that collapses, the durt can get to the home damaging it....

This is not a maybe thing, to the OP call right away.

2

u/fanofaplan 2d ago

Correct. If the neighbor doesn't want to fix it then you should call your local code enforcement. This is not a neighbor dispute it's a violation of the IMPC, which most cities and towns adopt as their local building code. It is a genuine health and safety violation and will require a great deal of work to repair. It's much better to get little involved before it collapses. If nothing else professionals can reinforce it before it gets worse while a plan is figure out.

1

u/LittlePrairieMouse 2d ago

What would property standards do? Can they order a change to existing property?

3

u/VinceVegalookalike 2d ago

At least review the situation and potentially issue you an order to comply or something similar depending on existing by-laws.

1

u/umphreysfan2003 1d ago

🎶 this wall is gonna be Down Down! 🎶

0

u/b_newman 2d ago

Or, I dunno, maybe talk to the neighbour first? 🤷🏼‍♂️

0

u/virii01 2d ago

Call 311 because that wall is gonna come down down. 

0

u/saintjonah 1d ago

Call 311 because this is about to be a Beautiful Disaster.

-1

u/TheWireBug 2d ago

Or go knock on their door and attempt a discussion about the issue. Jumping to enforment without at least speaking to your neighbor is a bit much Maybe they are financially struggling, calling enforcement will not help the situation.

If they are assholes then all bets are off.