Small retaining wall in an egress window well

[dantheman8119]

Yes I know not a garage question, but you guys seem to always have such good ideas that I can't help to ask...

We had our sidewalk mud jacked last Fall which took a toll on our rotted out timber wall (needed replacing anyways)

I'd like to replace them with some retaining wall blocks - I'm just wondering if you guys have any suggestions or tips for creating the wall? Especially since there is a 90 degree in there which seems to be pretty un-common for retaining walls.

 

[jaysberman]

What ever you do for the wall, make sure you have a way to drain the inevitable water that will collect in there.

 

[sands35]

Prefab steel casement, then backfill with whatever you want.

 

[jhelrey]

Can you get rid of the windows? Otherwise, yes, a steel window well and back fill and concrete the area.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Looks like a larger area. I would use decorative retaining wall block and add grass in the well, or rocks.

Of course ensure the well area is drained.

 

[finn]

Retaining wall block. You need drainage too, so no cement on the bottom. Dig out that dirt, add a vertical drain teed into the tile around the footing, if there is one, and fill to about six inches below the window sill with pea gravel.

There is a spec for max step height but I have CRS.

 

[METALMOVER]

Id probably rent a concrete saw, cut from your step back towards the edge of the building, getting rid of that broken concrete, break out where you cut, dig down in the "pit" hopefully you find some drains and tie into them, if not dig out more of all the dirt then install retaining wall bricks, burying your first layer half way in the dirt and stack them up till your about 2 inches above the concrete including a cap, backfill behind the wall and fill the bottom with about 6 inches of river rock(If you didnt find drains) or more across the whole bottom. The river rock should be a few inches below the windows when your done. Cant really see whats above the pit in your pics, but Im assuming you dont get alot of water there since you have 1 window cover. Tough to type out in words when I had 3 beers!!! METALMOVER

 

[METALMOVER]

And the more I think about it, since its dirt in there now your probably not going to find any drains in there, make sure the dirt portion drains away from the house before you add the rock and I see 2 covers now. Have you had water issues before?