Can I add on to a cement block wall?

[finger]

So the story goes a bit like this.

Our house is the second from the bottom in a sloping street. As a result we get all the run off from my neighbours property in torrential downpours. This flows into our poorly retained garden bed and subsequently into our garage.

After a couple of downpours I thought I would get tricky and hang a storm water pit off the wall to collect the run off and divert it to the street with 90mm pipe. Sadly I underestimated Queensland's torrential rain and the storm pit didn't stand a chance.

So I am thinking of increasing the wall all the way along the front yard, effectively causing a dam in the neighbours yard that will ultimately push the water further along his front yard and out onto the street.

From the pictures attached do you think its possible to just take the capping off the block wall and ad another 2 blocks high to the current retaining wall making it uniformed height the length of the front yard?

[PeteV]

yep! no problem! hope this helps!

[finger]

Thanks appreciate the reply.

Another thing, is this something a newbie could tackle? Does it need reo or anything special or can you just lay the blocks straight on top with just a bed of mortar?

[stevoh741]

I'd chemset starter bars in the core fill first. If it isn't core filled go for it but I'd core fill when uv added your bit

[PeteV]

as long as it isn't going to be retaining anything, you should be able to lay straight on top. as for the newbie thing, what's the worst that can happen? stuff it up, clean the blocks, and get a pro in! hope this helps!

[finger]

Thanks guys I might give it a go. It won't be retaining anything except the next torrent of water from the next downpour.

Occasionally the neighbours kids/my kids climb over it. I'd hate for it to come tumbling down in them.

My only other option is to put a storm pit on there side of the fence and drill two 100mm holes through the wall too run storm pipe to an easement at the back of our yard. Only problem is I'd have to get someone in to core drill through the wall.
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[Bloss]

I'd be talking to your neighbours and maybe the council. Water is not allowed to flow onto another persons property ie: your neighbour is responsible to ensure that any water from their property is controlled and stays on their land right up until it hits the public storm water system (ie: into the pipe system or the roadway). So you see why you need a friendly, but firm chat. It might help if you are simply wanting to get it fixed (as you seem to do) as that means you can work with the neighbour on a solution that works - these types of issues can really ruin friendly relationships. The fact remains, you should not need to do anything to fix this - your neighbour should. If you are willing to share the effort and/or the cost that is more than reasonable and they should be reasonable in response.