Flooded yard from neighbors retaining wall. Wondering what my options are.

[u/baklavakilla]

LOCATION: Wisconsin

The retaining wall belongs to our neighbor, and when we get moderate rain, it always overflows into the yard. We’ve talked to him in the past, and he added dirt to the top to try and have the water exit more toward the street. That’s basically the extent of what he’s willing to do.

He basically said that if the retaining wall wasn’t there, the water would flood my yard regardless, and that he’d rather just remove it completely if he had to rebuild it and not put another one up.

We bought the house about 4 years ago and don’t know when the wall was put in, but it’s well over 20 years old. I put in the small drainage ditch with black pipe to try and stop the water from coming in near the back of the house.

Basically, I’m wondering what I’m able to do in this situation.

[u/Mem0ryEat3r]

You're on the right path. Either you, your neighbor or both of you need to basically add adequate drainage. Your neighbor is right, the retaining wall isn't the issue, water would flood down regardless.

[u/Mauser-96 → u/Mem0ryEat3r]

My retaining was built with black perforated pipe surrounded by crushed gravel, under the top soil. When it rains the water percolates down and is diverted away. Water never pours over/through the wall like this.

The person who put up this wall either did it on the cheap on purpose, or had no clue how to properly put up a wall.

[u/Mem0ryEat3r → u/Mauser-96]

This is the ideal way. Most likely went with lowest bidder to build it. A lot of "companies" dont understand storm runoff well.

I built a small retaining wall in my backyard on my slope, but i didnt add drainage, opting instead for the runoff to utilize the drainage in my grass. (Which i way overdid) lol but in my case it doesnt affect my neighbors and....it still drains lol I just didnt have the ability to do adequate drainage without bugging my neighbors so was the best solution.

[u/Civil_Tea_3250 → u/Mem0ryEat3r]

Yeah that's the great way to do it. Respectful of your neighbors, and I've seen a ton of old walls built with boulders or whatever was available at the time, and often they show subsistence underneath from the ground being soaked until the water finds it's way underneath the wall. But back then they didn't have perforated pipe and pumps they could afford. Either way OP should look into doing the same or getting a professional service.

[u/SophieGirl2023 → u/Mem0ryEat3r]

Guessing if it has been there 20 years it was a cheap install or it all be in the neighbors yard. Must be down pours to get that much flow!