October 26, 2025
Tyrel visited for a geotechnical consultation, bringing LED floodlights so work can continue at any hour. We discussed leveling, drainage and the potential for slump and decided to place a drain on the outside of the inner long wall to reduce hydrostatic pressure from the hillside above.
Next step is acquiring enough drain rock to fill alternate cells of the cinderblocks, and finishing placing and driving rebar to flush with the top block surface in these cells. I am continuing to raise the slightly lower outside corner and tightening up the block alignment.
October 24, 2025
Another load of 20 blocks, and much stacking, leveling, and restacking, and the corners are joined! The step up at the back is to ensure that there is at least a 2 block stack at all points, to make it one contiguous structure.
Next is rebar in alternate cells. I'm using drain rock to hold the rebar in place, and avoiding the use of concrete to keep the structure more easily adjustable (thanks for the suggestion Tyrel!).
