Slope Stability and Retaining Walls: Expert Assessment, Site Visit and Engineering Solutions
A neighbour excavated at the toe of a 6-metre wall while a pool was leaking at the crest. Real case, diagnosis and stabilisation solutions.
Left: crest view. Right: toe with excavation and moisture.
When does a slope stop being ground and become a problem?
A slope is any terrain surface inclined with respect to the horizontal. We see them every day and rarely give them a second thought. Until something changes.
A neighbour digs at the base. A swimming pool leaks for months. A decades-old party wall starts to lean.
When a slope's equilibrium breaks, the consequences can be catastrophic.
A real case: pool at the crest, excavation at the toe
The situation:
- A house with a party wall bridging a 6-metre drop.
- At the top, a swimming pool that has been leaking for months.
- The lower neighbour has excavated a vegetable garden at the toe.
The diagnosis: Three simultaneous destabilising factors:
- Surcharge at the crest — 40+ tonnes of pool.
- Soil saturation — Leaks reduce cohesion.
- Toe removal — Excavation eliminates the counterweight.
Stability analysis: what we do
Phase 1 — Site visit
- Slope geometry, wall condition, drainage, signs of movement.
- Photographic documentation with georeferencing.
Phase 2 — Study and analysis
- Geotechnical characterisation (trial pits, SPT).
- Stability model (Bishop, Janbu, Morgenstern-Price).
- Earth pressure analysis (Rankine, Coulomb).
- Structural verification of the wall.
Phase 3 — Expert report
- Root cause diagnosis with evidence.
- Stability calculations with plans.
- Proposed action with detailed engineering.
- Liability assessment.
Stabilisation solutions
Drainage
- Horizontal drains, drainage trenches, weep holes, crest ditches.
Retention and reinforcement
- Riprap or gabion walls, reinforced concrete, reinforced earth, rock bolts, micropiles.
Re-profiling
- Slope flattening, equilibrium berm, toe fill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
Site visit + report: 800-1,200 euros. With geotechnical study: 2,000-4,000 euros.
Can I claim against my neighbour?
Yes. Article 1902 of the Spanish Civil Code establishes the obligation to repair the damage.
Can a swimming pool destabilise a slope?
Absolutely. 48 tonnes of concentrated weight plus leaks that saturate the soil.
