Hi, I’m renovating my small backyard, which backs up to a seawall with a canal. I’m concerned about water collection near the seawall and the added pressure it might cause, as well as any future drainage issues.
I want to flatten the yard slightly to create space for a playground on one side and an extended paved patio (or redoing current firepit area) on the other. Since real grass isn’t an option (due to seawall anchoring, utility cables and the difficulty of mowing such a small area), I plan to lay artificial turf and a layer of rocks, along with some new landscaping and garden beds.
One challenge I’m facing is that the existing concrete walkways slope down towards the seawall, so I need to make sure any changes in grading reference those levels properly. Right now, the yard has a tiered grading system that looks something like this:
House foundation → Pool patio deck → Garden bed with retaining wall → Paved patio → Concrete walkway → Sloped yard → Seawall
The lowest point is the concrete walkway closest to the seawall, which leads to steps going down to the canal, and the soil around it.
To make things trickier, there was a sinkhole under that walkway and the steps at the seawall due to soil erosion and a broken sprinkler line. I had it filled with flowable fill (sand, cement, and water), which means it won’t drain as well as regular soil. Because of that, I’m thinking of adding drainage along the walkway,, with an outlet either through the seawall or the side of the steps. Also thinking if it would be a good idea to lay a perforated pipe along the seawall.
I’ve attached some pictures and a rough sketch of the current grading (might not be very accurate), with the lowest spot marked in red. I’ve also attached a preliminary design of what I’m trying to do to give a better idea of my plan.
I’d really appreciate any advice on how to level the yard (or at least part of it) while maintaining proper grading, either encorporating garden beds, tiers or slight slopes, as well as recommendations on drainage options.
Thanks!